A new phase began after the historic call by Abdullah Öcalan, ushered in by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) laying down its arms. In response, the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) launched a series of meetings to explain the new process to the public and prepare communities for the emerging period.
Through public assemblies held across Turkey and Kurdistan, the DEM Party aims to address the people’s questions and concerns. In Dersim, the party is also working to counter the Turkish state’s special warfare tactics and the psychological pressure it exerts on the masses.
Hümeyra Tosun, co-chair of the DEM Party’s provincial branch in Dersim, spoke to ANF about the ongoing community meetings and the broader efforts in the region.
There is both hope and anxiety in Dersim
Hümeyra Tosun noted that the most persistent question people in Dersim ask is what path the current process will follow. She stated that they are working intensely to provide clear answers to the public:
“In Dersim, it is not just during public meetings, every person we meet face to face asks the same question insistently: ‘What will happen with the process?’ That is why we are working intensely. Most days, we hold two separate meetings.
There is significant interest; people are curious about the process and what lies ahead. There is both hope and concern, these two feelings coexist. People ask many questions: What steps will the state take, and when? Will the government-appointed trustees be withdrawn? What will happen to the prisoners? What kind of legal changes will take place? These are the sources of concern.
In one public meeting, someone said, ‘In ’38, they collected our weapons, but then they massacred us.’ There is unease among the people but there is also hope.”
The people trust the Kurdish Freedom Movement
Hümeyra Tosun stated that the people harbor deep mistrust toward the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the state but continue to place their trust in the Kurdish Freedom Movement. She also shared the demands expressed by the public:
“Yes, there should be peace, but it must be accompanied by concrete steps. There is a strong perception that the state and Erdoğan cannot be trusted, that Erdoğan will not be willing to give up power, and that the process is being used for political bargaining.
The paradigm of this new period points to the necessity of all identities living together. In the meetings we attend, people often say to us: ‘If it weren’t for the Kurdish Freedom Movement, we would not have been able to live our Alevi identity so openly.’ Because of this, there is also a certain concern about the disarmament process. People saw it as a form of protection. But we are doing our best to explain this shift.”
We will take action against special warfare tactics
Hümeyra Tosun stated that public engagement with the party will increase as concrete steps are taken in the new process, and addressed the Turkish state’s use of special warfare practices in Dersim:
“People in the field are very curious about the process; however, for them to return to the party, they are waiting to see tangible steps. Under current conditions, Dersim is experiencing a serious wave of migration. It is said that between 4,000 and 6,000 young people have left for abroad in the past year or two. In some villages, there are virtually no young people left. We will be working on this issue.
We will also expand our efforts against the methods of special warfare. For example, we organized a march against drug addiction. The state’s approach seems aimed at pushing youth away from the city.
One example: A mother who came to our party told us that after her child was involved in a fight, she went to the police to report it. The police told her, ‘Then send him abroad.’ The state is encouraging youth to leave the country, police are advising families to send their children abroad through illegal means.”
Tosun emphasized that these special warfare tactics and the associated pressures can be overcome through public awareness:
“This is something we can counter with awareness work on the ground. With the start of the new process, people are beginning to return to villages to resettle. There are some challenges in this, and we are trying to provide support.
The people of Dersim are politically conscious. The state has created a psychological pressure in Dersim. But as the process moves forward, this will change.
That is why we need to establish new community institutions, through these institutions, we must reconnect with the people.”
Source: ANF News
