DEM Party moves congress to September 6, sees new law as first step
Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Turkey's DEM Party announced its general congress is moved to September 6 from September 20.
- The party views a recently passed law as a significant first step toward broader solutions for Kurdish issues and democratization.
- DEM Party spokesperson Ayลegรผl Doฤan emphasized the need for timely implementation of the law to mitigate risks.
The DEM Party has moved its general congress forward to September 6 from its originally scheduled date of September 20. The announcement came from party spokesperson Ayลegรผl Doฤan following a Central Executive Committee meeting.
This regulation, while not a final solution that resolves all problems, creates new political and legal opportunities. It carries historical importance as the first step, the first phase of a comprehensive solution for our party.
Doฤan described a recently passed "Framework Law for Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Cohesion" as a "historical importance" for the party. While acknowledging the law is not a final solution to all problems, she stated it creates new political and legal opportunities. The law passed the Grand National Assembly with 467 votes, a tally Doฤan suggested represented a shared, albeit diverse, commitment to common goals like social peace and integration.
Criticizing the shortcomings does not diminish its value. Acknowledging the first step does not mean ignoring the parts that need completion. On the contrary, acknowledging the first step implies that the parts that need completion should be emphasized even more.
"Criticizing the shortcomings does not diminish its value," Doฤan said, addressing concerns that the law might be incomplete. She argued that acknowledging the law's initial steps necessitates highlighting areas for further development, rather than rejecting the legislation outright. The party believes the law opens a significant path for resolving the Kurdish issue and advancing democratization in Turkey, and therefore supports its progression.
The law has been enacted, and a very serious path has been opened for the Kurdish issue and the democratization of Turkey; therefore, we propose to walk this path, to walk and struggle together. That's why we said 'yes'.
Doฤan also stressed that peace is a process, not merely an outcome, to be built incrementally through legal and political steps. She indicated that the party's delegation will meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoฤan to discuss recent developments, noting that a clear roadmap and timeline are still pending. The spokesperson also urged for the law's swift implementation, warning that delays could increase risks.
Peace is not just an outcome, but a process. It is a new era that we will build step by step with legal and political steps.
Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.