Intellectuals and artists oppose DTP closure, warn against provocation

The case is currently being discussed by the Constitutional Court, but many say ruling to close the DTP would “certainly serve the aims of those who love bloodshed.”

Prior to court hearings on the case, a Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorist attack in Tokat left seven soldiers dead. The PKK also incited violent demonstrations throughout Turkey, dealing a blow to government efforts to reconcile with the country’s Kurds.

Şerafettin Elçi, a Kurdish politician known for favoring peace and an avowed critic of the PKK, expressed his opposition to the closure of the DTP, adding that Turkey holds the world record in the number of political parties that have been shut down. “We do not need another party closure,” he said.

Elçi said he believes the Constitutional Court will not rule out a decision based solely on legal justifications and political realities. “If the Constitutional Court wants to close the party down, it will not have difficulty finding reasons to do so. The party leadership and especially the clique around it have provided sufficient evidence to the court for closure,” the veteran Kurdish politician said, warning that the party’s closure will only strengthen the hands of circles that benefit from a continuation of chaos.

“The PKK prevents Kurds from being able to defend their rights in the political arena,” Elçi noted, criticizing the DTP for not fulfilling its mission to represent Kurds in Parliament. “They [the DTP] do not represent the interest of Kurds; rather, they always defend the PKK,” Elçi said, emphasizing that even moderate DTP deputies have been taking orders from PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, who is currently serving a life sentence on the island of İmralı, and thereby do not act independently.

“If there were no PKK support behind the DTP, the party would be eliminated from the political filed, and if the DTP had wanted to be part of the peace process, it could have played a great role to establish peace. However, it missed the opportunity provided to it by the government through the Kurdish initiative,” he added. The Kurdish politician considers the Kurdish initiative the DTP’s last chance to free itself of the PKK shadow.

“Both Ergenekon and the PKK seek to overthrow the Justice and Development Party [AK Party] government,” he said. Elçi is of the view that if the state’s attitude toward Kurds is softened, popular support for the PKK terrorist organization will begin to decrease, and if the state increases pressure on Kurds, support for the PKK will rise.

‘Do not murder peace’

Furthermore, a group of artists turned out in İstanbul’s Taksim Square on Wednesday to show their support for efforts aiming to establish peace in Turkey.

Singers and authors, including İlkay Akaya, Rojin, Feryal Öney, Yasemin Göksu, Sennur Sezer, Gülçin Santurcuoğlu and Şebnem Sönmez, came to Taksim Square and wanted to walk to the Galatasaray High School; however, police stopped the group and prevented it from going further. The group continued its demonstration in Taksim Square and issued a statement to the press in both Turkish and Kurdish.

The press release, read by Akkaya, reiterated that the artists are worried about provocations, which damage the peace process ultimately aiming to end long-standing conflicts in Turkey. “Despite the obvious need for peace, we do not understand the loutish attitudes harming the peace process. Even a dream of peace is enough to raise our hopes. Instead, heartrending news has been coming from Diyarbakır, Tokat and İstanbul,” the release said, referring to the PKK attack in Tokat and the provocative demonstrations in Diyarbakır and İstanbul. “Do not murder peace,” the release pleaded.

Noting that efforts to close the pro-Kurdish DTP are deliberate attempts to increase opposition to the Kurdish initiative, Akkaya urged everyone -- Turk and Kurd alike -- to be aware of provocative steps and not give in. She also said that an atmosphere of chaos, which some in the country are trying to produce, will benefit no one.