Turkey: Deputies gathering under “Congress Initiative” give signals of a new party
BDP Istanbul deputy Sırrı Süreyya Önder also spoke at the Congress Initiative convention. Socialist and Kurdish oriented deputies from the Labor, Democracy and Freedom Bloc who competed with independent candidates in June 12 general elections gathered under a “Congress Initiative” in Ankara on Sunday and called for a new opposition.
The convention which assembled upon the call of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan underlined the significance of a “joint struggle”. Placards in 13 different languages were hung.
The keynote speech of the convention was delivered by Ertuğrul Kürkçü, Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputy for the southern province of Mersin.
“We will never but never forget the Kurdish freedom struggle that has given life to all these. We salute its non-obedient struggle and its warriors with respect. But we are setting off not only with them but with all peoples living in Turkey in order to live as our own selves, to be masters of ourselves,” Kürkçü said, greeting the audience in Turkish, Kurdish and Arabic and expressing the desire to gather everybody.
The Congress Initiative, which includes deputies from the BDP and Labor, Democracy and Freedom Bloc the following topics in its by-laws: the recognition of democratic demands of all nations living in Turkey; freedom of speech; religious freedom to all; fighting against homophobia; developing policies for the democratic autonomy; the right for nations to determine their own future and fighting for conscientious objection. The establishment of an umbrella party was yet to be decided.
The Congress Initiative also decided to implement a 50 percent quota to women in its by-laws. A 10 percent quota for people under 27 will also be implemented.
BDP Istanbul deputy Sırrı Önder also spoke at the convention and criticized the mass arrests of KCK members, the alleged urban wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK.)
“They imprisoned every politician we worked with during the elections. Of course we will create a new system,” Önder said.
October 16, 2011
SOURCE: Hürriyet Daily News
