Gülistan Gülmüş

 

AMED - Speaking about the prevention of the Peace Mothers from speaking in Kurdish at the commission on 20 August, MED-DER trainer Dilan Seves said, "If the existence, language and culture of the Kurdish people are accepted, sincerity will be seen, and accordingly, they must change their laws."

 

The "National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission" established in Parliament met for the fifth time on 20 August. At the meeting, which lasted approximately four and a half hours, representatives of the Peace Mothers, Saturday Mothers and human rights organisations were heard this time. However, when the Peace Mothers wanted to speak in Kurdish, Commission Chairman Numan Kurtulmuş did not allow it. The MPs' suggestion for translation was also rejected, and the mothers were prevented from expressing themselves in Kurdish.

 

This obstruction was met with reactions from many institutions, organisations and parties. The question was raised: "Why is there a ban on Kurdish in the commission established to solve the Kurdish issue?” One of the institutions that reacted was the Mesopotamia Language and Culture Research Association (MED-DER).

 

MED-DER trainer Dilan Şeveş commented on the prevention of the Peace Mothers from speaking in Kurdish.

 

‘The denial of the Kurdish people’s language and culture is at stake’

 

Dilan Seves first drew attention to the importance of the process initiated following Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s call for ‘Peace and a Democratic Society’ on 27 February. Dilan Şeveş said: "A process has been initiated. The Kurdish people have been fighting for over 50 years. For over 100 years, the language and culture of the Kurdish people have been denied.

 

We have reached a conclusion with the struggle of Kurdish People's Leader Mr Abdullah Öcalan, and a process has been initiated under his leadership. 

 

In such a sensitive process, negotiations were initiated in both directions with the state's policies, perspective and approach. After the PKK laid down its arms and burned them, the Peace Mothers also took their place in this commission. 

 

The mothers' voices were silenced along with the white headscarves they wore. All Kurds should take this upon themselves. Because the voice of Kurdish is being silenced. The Kurds' approach should be accordingly. 

 

The process must guarantee the preservation of the Kurdish language and culture for peace to be achieved. We condemn and reject the approach taken towards the Peace Mothers in Parliament."

 

‘Our people should have status’

 

Dilan Seves went on to emphasise that the state must also be sincere for the process to progress more healthily, making the following appeal: “Peace cannot be unilateral; both sides must be sincere in the steps they take in this process. Sincerity can only be achieved in this way. Sincerity will be seen if the existence, language and culture of the Kurdish people are accepted, and consequently, the laws must be changed. 

 

Kurds, like all other nations, must be able to speak their mother tongue for peace to come.

 

We always make the following call: First and foremost, auto-assimilation must stop. Our people must have status, and their right to education must not be obstructed.

 

If Kurds speak Kurdish with determination and speak Kurdish with their children, our language will be passed on to the next generation. As institutions, we also demand that the institution be seen not just as a course to apply for, but as a place with status."