More than 30 people, some of them mayors, have been arrested as a result of simultaneous operations in 11 provinces of Turkey carried out against the KCK (Kurdish Democratic Confederation / Turkey Council), an organization that reportedly runs as the city arm of the PKK terrorist organization. Some comments going around argue that these operations (the last operation was the fourth one against the KCK), undermine the Democratic Initiative process. However, if we define the democratization process as the struggle between democracy and violence, the meaning of these operations will come into focus by themselves. If we are talking about democracy in a country, then these operations should be considered in terms of rights and freedoms and in compliance with law. Since the KCK was newly created in the PKK Congress in 2007, and geared towards the national and international conditions, it can be claimed that the operations strengthened the democratization process.
The KCK is the main background actor of many events such as this, especially the intense street incidents, armed resistance, and intimidation during the last month. As it is listed in the indictment, which was prepared by the Public Prosecutor of Diyarbakir on May 28, 2009, the KCK’s actions include creating shadow courts and judging people on behalf of the organization, infiltrating into the state organizations and government units, and in particular, to municipalities, and seizing the control. It is stated in the indictment that the KCK has created an illegal authority against the legitimate authority and they fulfill activities that are ordered by either Ocalan or the PKK militants in the Qandil Mountains. Looking from this perspective, the city events, such as the murder of Serap Eser in Istanbul, have been organized by KCK and needs to be kept in mind. It can be said that the Democratic Initiative process will take root with these operations instead of being damaged because the Democratic Initiative and Turkey’s democratization project could continue by eliminating the illegitimate structures, gangs, and illegal organizations.
The most important points to take into account during the KCK operations, are to not damage the rights and liberties of people, protect the rule of law and not harm innocent people. In this context, a strong law and a democracy-based stand, which can distinguish the innocent and guilty, and right and wrong, should be supported during these operations. However, at this point, it would be useful to analyze the KCK strategically. If we consider KCK as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, it is obvious that these operations are a serious examination for Turkey’s democracy. This organization (KCK), which can control cities on behalf of the PKK and terrorize the streets, especially in Southeast Turkey, could contact PKK militants in the mountains as they wish. The KCK is the modernized version of PKK’s armed structuring in the 1990s. It carries the fear that PKK spreads from mountains to the universities, hospitals, municipalities, and streets. That is why they can question the mayor, tell tradesman to take down the shutters when the prime minister visits, scare them and organize everything in the region.
If it is desired to continue the democratization process without confusing minds in Turkey, the elimination of such structures is an important step because they are completely able to sabotage the process. We should develop the tendency to find an answer in the judicial system whether the mayors have committed a crime, or not. The shadow cabinet, shadow authority and pressure is on one hand; while the rhetoric seems to advocate democracy on the other hand, and all are tested with the KCK operations. The main subject of democratization is that nobody should try to hold the monopoly of use of force except the public authority, and the state should use its power and adhere to the universal law principles. I think this position is important for us to stand and act within the framework of KCK operations. Therefore, the ones who motivated the children to sabotage the process in the streets should be judged; however, the regulation in the assembly regarding these children should end in favor of the children as soon as possible. The dilemma of the Democratic Initiative can be eliminated with such an approach.
Prof. Dr. Ihsan Bal
USAK Director of Center for Security Studies
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The Democratic Initiative Knocked Over the KCK The Democratic Initiative Knocked Over the KCK The Democratic Initiative Knocked Over the KCK The Democratic Initiative Knocked Over the KCK
Journal of Turkish Weekly (JTW)
USAK House,
Ayten Sok. No:21
Mebusevleri, Tandogan, Ankara, Turkey
A Time Collapse in the Kurdish Problem
