Speaking at the “Labour in Democratic Society Workshop” held in Amed (Diyarbakır), People’s Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party Co-deputy Chair Sevtap Aktag said: “We need to be builders of an equal and free life, not watchers.”
Disabled individuals shared their views on the new process toward resolving the Kurdish issue, emphasizing that war increases the number of disabled people and highlighting the importance of peace.
The Constitutional Court (AYM) ruled that the right to life was not violated in the case of 17 year old Rozerin Cukur, who was shot during a curfew in the Sur district of Amed (Diyarbakır). While the legal process continues with allegations that Cukur was a “terrorist organization member”, lawyers have taken the case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Representatives of professional journalist organisations reacted to the threats against our reporter Zeynep Durgut over her news report and stressed that those who threatened her should be put on trial.
Refugees excluded by their countries and segments of society face problems awaiting solutions. IHD member Gulseren Yoleri said: "For the resolution of problems, the right to asylum must be accepted without hesitation."
Stating that an important area for the democratisation of Turkey has been opened, Prof. Dr. Sevtap Yokuş said that legal guarantees and an inclusive constitution are important for the success of the process: "Raising hope depends on the efforts of all of us."
In the final declaration of the conference "Şêx Seîd (Sheikh Said) and Azadî Community: History, Memory, and Collective Dissent Conference" called for the disclosure of the burial places of those who have great historical, political, cultural and symbolic value for the Kurdish people and an end to denialist approaches.
Riha (Urfa) Bar Association, Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) and Human Rights Association (IHD) Riha Branches have declared that they have started field work, panel discussions, meetings and reporting processes in order to contribute to the process of confrontation, recognition of rights and development of reform proposals.
Şırnak Working Journalists' Association made a press statement on the threatened journalist Zeynep Durgut and said "We will not remain silent against this mentality".
Legal and civil society organizations reported after inspections in 9 prisons that “Even the most basic human rights of prisoners have been suspended and isolation has been intensified to the highest level.”
In his message to the conference “1925 Uprising’s 100th Anniversary Conference Azadi Society, Sheikh Said and Companions, Memory and Collective Opposition”, Abdullah Öcalan said: “Sheikh Said's line will attain its true meaning when it is combined with today's democratic nation paradigm.”
Abdullah Öcalan's family and his guardian Mazlum Dinç applied to Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and İmralı Prison Directorate requesting a meeting.
Mahsum Çiya Korkmaz, Co-cpekesperson for the Amed City Protection and Solidarity Platform, called on the government to take action to resolve the Kurdish issue and end military operations.
Hasan Erdoğan, Chair of the Ankara Bar Association’s Child Rights Centre, warned that the incarceration of minors is contributing to higher crime rates among children in Turkey. “The more detention is used, the more crime increases. 90% of children who are imprisoned return to prison within a year,” he said.
Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) Co-Spokesperson Meral Danış Beştaş stated that developments in the Middle East are sending a clear message to Turkey: “Resolve your internal issues.” She emphasized that peace is one of Turkey’s most urgent needs and underlined HDK’s commitment to a democratic solution in the region.