ANKARA - DEM Party Youth Assembly members Nesrin Özdemir and Tuğba Çelik said they want to meet Abdullah Öcalan, stressing that the government must approach the process seriously.

 

Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party)Youth Assembly members Nesrin Özdemir and Tuğba Çelik spoke about the Peace and Democratic Society Process. Stating that they aim to build a more visible and organised youth line on the ground, the assembly members said the government must take concrete steps for the process to advance.

 

Nesrin Özdemir stated that the most concrete step they expect from the government is the physical freedom of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan, saying: “As young people, our seriousness and determination on this issue will continue. From here, we once again reiterate our demand to meet with the Leadership (Abdullah Öcalan).”

 

Stating that they aim to organise young people within the framework of the Peace and Democratic Society Process, Nesrin Özdemir said: “We are trying to prepare young people through panels and workshops. Of course, we have shortcomings, because the lack of concrete steps has narrowed and limited our spaces. We want these spaces to be expanded. We must embrace this process. We must carry out this process in the best possible way.”

 

‘THE PHYSICAL FREEDOM OF THE LEADERSHIP MUST BE REALISED’

 

Tuğba Çelik said that Abdullah Öcalan is approaching the process seriously, but that the state has not taken serious steps in return. Stressing that the process cannot succeed without Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom, Tuğba Çelik said: “The beginning of serious steps is the freedom of the Leadership, the release of political prisoners, and the return of our friends living in exile.”

 

Tuğba Çelik said the following regarding their meetings: “As both the Youth Assembly and the Young Women’s Assembly, we discussed what kind of path we should follow during this process. In this context, we came together, made our plans, and concluded that we need to be more visible on the ground. As the Leadership has also stated, youth must take part in this process.”