Turkey's DEM Party rallies for 'freedom for Öcalan,' links conflict to economy

The DEM Party organized a rally in Istanbul's Bağcılar district, voicing demands for the "freedom of Abdullah Öcalan" and advocating for peace in Turkey. The event also served as a moment of mourning, with party co-chair Tuncer Bakırhan offering condolences for the death of the renowned artist Kadir İnanır.

Bakırhan addressed the crowd, acknowledging the dual nature of the day's gathering – a rally and a period of mourning. He described İnanır as a friend to Kurds, workers, and laborers, a peace advocate, and a democrat whose stance transcended his artistic career. Bakırhan extended his sympathies to İnanır's family and to Turkey.

Highlighting the economic hardships faced by citizens, Bakırhan attributed the struggles of pensioners and minimum wage earners to the decades-long conflict and violence. He argued that Turkey has spent vast resources suppressing Kurdish democratic rights, including the right to speak their language and choose their political representatives, instead of investing in the welfare of its people.

Looking towards the future, Bakırhan asserted that Turkey is undergoing a period of change, necessitating a re-evaluation of the past to create a more democratic order. He emphasized that the current system, which denies Kurdish identity, dismisses Alevi faith, steals the future of youth, and erodes women's rights, is unsustainable. Bakırhan stressed that the most urgent task for politics is to enact a "framework law" that guarantees democratic rights, ensures equal citizenship, allows for the use of mother tongues, and opens pathways for democratic political participation, including returns from exile and prison. He concluded by stating that peace is unattainable without granting Öcalan the right to hope.