ISTANBUL - Stating that the closure case against the  Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) is a continuation of the nation-state policy of denial against the Kurds, former MP Demir Çelik said, "Attempting to close the party means reversing the role the Kurds have assumed in democratic politics."

 

The debates on the demand for a political ban for 5 years against 687 people, including the current and former co-chairs of the party, continue with the lawsuit filed at the Constitutional Court for the closure of the HDP. 

 

One of the people a political ban is to be imposed is Demir Çelik, a former MP of the HDP, who was the Chair of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) between 2008-2010. Çelik, who has been in the Kurdish political struggle for many years, evaluated the reasons and possible consequences of the closure case and the demand for a political ban.

 

THE CONTINUATION OF A HUNDRED YEARS OF DENIAL AGAINST KURDS

 

Çelik stated that the closure case against HDP is a continuation of the nation-state mentality and policies that were initiated a hundred years ago. Çelik pointed out that it was a continuation of the practices of seeing Kurds as non-existent, ignoring and denying their economic, political, cultural, social rights.

 

Demir Çelik reminded that the "Annihilation Plan" adopted by the National Security Council on 30 October 2014 regarding the closure case against the HDP and said that "It is a continuation of the decision to dissolve the Kurdish political movement, to dissolve the civil democratic organization of the society, and to abolish the values of civil society."

 

KURDS INSIST ON A SOLUTION

 

Çelik mentioned that Turkey's political, social, and economic stability is only possible with the solution of the Kurdish Issue and said: ""Attempting to close the party means reversing the role the Kurds have assumed in democratic politics. Kurds are insistent on the peaceful solution of the problem. They see the most legitimate ground for this is inside the parliament. Closing a party means showing the Kurds other ways and methods. This is not the right way. This is a way that makes the Kurds, the Turks, the state, and the rulers who govern the state lose. Closing the HDP can cause major political crises and traumas. It can cause social disorder. Closing the HDP means imprisoning millions. It means that millions are condemned to poverty. Nobody can remain silent against this". 

 

MA / İdris Sayılğan