The Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) launched the campaign “1 million signatures for peace” on 16 January to be submitted to the Parliament. The campaign, which was launched with a declaration in Istanbul, continues. Many civil society and democratic mass organisations are supporting the campaign. 

 

Berna Güzel Gündüz, Istanbul Co-Chair of Democratic Alevi Associations (DAD), one of the HDK components, evaluated the ongoing campaign. Stating that they find the campaign valuable, Berna Güzel Gündüz said, "HDK is the voice of Kurds, Alevis, Laz, Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks. We believe that it is important to struggle together because our pain, suffering and everything is the same. The country is in a state of great destruction and decay. Therefore peace is necessary. All oppressed peoples need to support this petition. This is one of the best opportunities of recent years. Because economically, politically, women, children... nothing is getting better in any field."

 

Berna Güzel Gündüz pointed out that all segments of society are anxious and unhappy due to the conflictual environment and said, "The future of our children is not guaranteed. In this sense, peace must come to the country in order to eliminate these problems and rottenness. The ‘1 million signatures’ campaign is extremely valuable. Especially in terms of Alevis and Kurds." 

 

Berna Güzel Gündüz emphasised that the Kurdish issue must be solved and said: "Solving the Kurdish issue means solving many problems and wars in the Middle East. Peace is absolutely necessary for us to live as common citizens, equal and free citizens in the second century of the Republic. All Alevi organisations should take the petition seriously and definitely sign it. Peace is important for the monist understanding to end and for us to become equal and free citizens."

 

Berna Güzel Gündüz added, "The fact that Devlet Bahçeli defines the interlocutor and points to the parliament as the method is a fact in a way. In other words, this needs to be done on democratic grounds. At the same time, this issue needs to be discussed and negotiations need to be held on international platforms. Opposition parties in Turkey need to take part in this process. Because peace is for all peoples. For this reason, everyone should put their hands under the stone. We need social peace for social happiness, for us to live together without being marginalised. I invite everyone to peace. There is no winner in war. War is destruction and tears. We never approve of it. Peace has many winners. Peace will also put an end to this rottenness in Turkey."  

 

MA / Ömer İbrahimoğlu