The parliamentary commission held its first meeting on Tuesday 4 August in parliament. The newly named ‘National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission’ will hold its second meeting today, Friday. The commission was formed to prepare the necessary legal arrangements for the process to be carried out following the PKK’s decision to dissolve itself and end armed struggle. In its first meeting, the commission also unanimously adopted a 12-article set of working principles and procedures. Among the adopted items was the requirement that commission decisions be taken with a three-fifths majority.
Meral Danış Beştaş, co-spokesperson of the HDK and DEM Party MP for Erzurum, talked to ANF after the first meeting.
Three-fifth majority requirement is important
Meral Danış Beştaş noted that there was a certain level of consensus in the first meeting, highlighting in particular the importance of adopting the requirement of a three-fifths majority for commission decisions. She also underlined that as the commission’s work progresses, it will foster trust in society: “For the first time in the history of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, such a broad-based and careful commission has been established on the resolution of the Kurdish issue, democratization, law, and human rights, and this is truly significant. It was important for parliament to take responsibility on this issue and for the parliamentary leadership to preside over it. Many of those who came seemed to grasp the importance of the commission. Compared to ordinary general assembly work, the atmosphere was more mature, calmer, and the speeches reflected that maturity. It was pleasing to see that awareness of responsibility. We observed that the overwhelming majority were like this.”
Danış Beştaş continued: “This commission is expected to bring parties together on common ground and reach the widest possible consensus. Therefore, the directive that was adopted was not exactly as any single party ‘fully wanted.’ Different proposals were made—from the name to the working method—and criticisms were voiced. We also made quite a few ourselves. The final form was, in a way, something that was ‘agreed upon.’ This was important for the first day of the commission, and at least adopting it unanimously was meaningful. For example, adopting the three-fifths majority for commission decisions.
We had already wanted a clear majority. The commission will make decisions on fundamental issues jointly, and three-fifths is not a small majority; it is, for example, the same as the majority needed to amend the constitution. And most importantly, this commission represents roughly 90% of the Grand National Assembly, and that representation is important and valuable. Of course, some circles are making a lot of speculation and holding debates about this. We are aware of that. We also know that there are circles who want to obstruct the work of this commission, who are against the resolution of the Kurdish question, who essentially support deadlock, want the continuation of war and anti-democratic practices, and reject the acceptance of Kurds as equal citizens. Although they are few, they seem to make a lot of noise. This is, of course, about public perception. But I believe that as the work of this commission progresses, trust will develop in society.”
We are aware of our role
Danış Beştaş stressed that this process concerns everyone, not only Kurds, and that although the commission may not eliminate all problems at once, it will play a pioneering role.
As a party that has defended democratization and peace for decades, she underlined their awareness of their role: “We do not think, of course, that this commission will fully solve the Kurdish question and make all problems disappear at once. We are not placing such a burden on it. But we believe it should contribute to opening a space that will play a pioneering, founding, and constructive role in resolving the Kurdish question, in building a democratic society, in recognizing historical injustices and unfairness on this issue, and at least confronting entrenched narratives, even if not completely resolving them. We will continue our work in this direction. The scope of this commission is not limited to the matter of laying down arms or returning home. It has many steps to take in terms of opening the channels of democratic politics and building the law of equality for the comprehensive democratization of Turkey.”
Danış Beştaş said: “This commission will work until the end of December initially. Then there may be two-month extensions. You may recall that at first it was announced that the commission would work for two months. We all know that is not enough. Ultimately, there are meetings, visits, people who need to be heard on this issue, drafts to be prepared, and many matters to be submitted to parliament. Of course, the interlocutor in this matter is also Mr. Abdullah Öcalan. We are all already experiencing the consequences of his calls. From the 11 July weapons destruction ceremony to the PKK’s dissolution congress, we are essentially at a historic turning point, and Mr. Öcalan is the main architect of this. Therefore, in the coming days, the ‘right to hope’ will naturally come onto the agenda again.”
Danış Beştaş added: “In general, of course, the commission must contribute to the socialization of the peace and democratic society process. It should play a role in changing existing negative perceptions, especially the perceptions that have been created. On this issue, we defend the equal, free, and shared life of all citizens living in Turkey. The Kurdish people, of course, are those who have suffered the most and paid the heaviest price for these anti-democratic policies, but this is not an issue concerning only Kurds, this is misinterpreted. This is a process that will affect the life of every one of Turkey’s 86 million citizens. We approach the issue with this seriousness, with this sincerity, and, of course, with determination. We are aware of our role in this matter. For decades, we have been the party, coming from the same tradition, that has defended the democratization of politics, made proposals for it, brought forward draft laws, engaged in the political debate on this issue, and also paid the highest prices for it. We are determined to do our part to ensure the success of this process.”
Source: ANF News
