A group of artists, intellectuals, writers and leaders of DISK, Petrol-İş, Deri-İş, ÖDP, Halkevi and Alewi Cultural Association have established an Initiative for Social and Democratic Peace.

The components of the Initiative announced the establishment at a press conference in Istanbul.

Speaking here on behalf of the Initiative, Secretary General of Istanbul Medical Chamber, Ali Çerkezoğlu, said that they came together with an aim to take responsibility for the democratic unity and brotherhood of all peoples in Turkey.

Çerkezoğlu promised struggle in order to pave the way for social peace across the country, underlining that they will not allow any Turkish or Kurdish child to die in a conflict environment and that they will stand against all kinds of racist, nationalist, chauvinist, discriminative and insulting words and acts on any side.

“We see it as a basic duty of ours to strengthen the unity of Turkish, Kurdish and all other peoples in Turkey on a democratic ground”, Çerkezoğlu said and added that they will not allow the AKP government to exploit the people's longings for peace and brotherhood for its own political objectives.