Demirtaş: We will be rallying on 14 July

10 July 2012


Demirtaş: fair and legitimate to ask for the freedom of Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan

Speaking at the BDP (Peace and Democracy Party) and DTK (Democratic Society Congress) joint press conference after the governor’s prohibition of the 14 July rally in Diyarbakır, BDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş pointed out that it is a fair and legitimate demand to ask for the freedom of Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan.

Remarking that all BDP meetings have been prevented and prohibited across the country for the last one year, Demirtaş said that; “The AKP government policy includes torture and arrests when it comes to prevent Kurdish people to voice their legitimate demands. However, a political solution to the Kurdish problem can make no progress unless Öcalan is freed and included in the process of the search for a solution. The state’s approach towards the 14 July rally reveals AKP government and its institutions’ approach to the solution of the Kurdish problem.”

BDP co-chair underlined that it is not a crime to demand freedom for the leader of a people and noted that the Turkish state has an immoral attitude by imposing isolation on Öcalan for the last 13 years. “Neither we nor our people will pull back from defending Öcalan’s freedom in the face of the continuous isolation in Imralı. Our main purpose is to break the deadlock in the current process in Turkey in order to ensure peace. However, the prohibition on our democratic and peaceful demonstration is unacceptable because of the fact that we don’t practice an illegal action”, underlined Demirtaş.

"The state’s approach to this meeting is a provocation" said Demirtaş and pointed out that the Kurdish people will nevertheless use their democratic rights and their constitutional right for staging a demonstration and expressing themselves.

BDP co-chair underlined that BDP and DTK will hold their 14 July meeting despite the prohibition which - he said - should be withdrawn.

"Our people would show their commitment to freedom in the meeting in Diyarbakır", said Demirtaş.

“The Turkish state and the AKP government should understand that millions of people are clearly demanding freedom for Öcalan to ensure a democratic solution to the Kurdish problem. This is our message for a solution and we want all government authorities to once more consider this message as millions of people will be on the streets that day whatever the consequences. The prohibition of the government will not prevent us from progressing on the way to peace”, said Demirtaş and underlined that the 14 July meeting will be held to stop further deaths in the country.

ANF / DIYARBAKIR/AMED

ANF NEWS AGENCY