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DTP Carries its Provacative Policies to TGNA |
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Wednesday, 25 February 2009Ahmet Turk, the leader of Kurdist Democratic Society Party (DTP), switched into Kurdish in his speech in the yesterday's parliamentary group meeting. Mr. Turk's attempt was welcomed and applauded by DTP MPs in the parliament while shocked the others.
Criticizing Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and TRT 6 in his speech, Mr. Turk claimed that he wanted to test if speaking Kurdish is really free in Turkey. Moreover, he said 21 February was the UN's International Mother Language Day and he promised his mother years ago to speak Kurdish in a formal meeting. Mr. Turk criticized TRT 6, which broadcasts in Kurdish, for not having legal bases although the broadcasting in Kurdish language was supported by the Turkish Government. Mr. Turk also criticized PM Erdogan's hailing Kurdish citizens in Kurdish in election campaigns saying "Prime Minister considers speaking Kurdish peculiar to him. Thus, Kurdish is banned for Kurds and it is free for the Prime Minister and his party, AKP'. Moreover, Mr. Turk claimed that Kurdish is still under pressure in Turkey.
After Mr. Turk decided to switch to Kurdish in his speech, Parliament TV (TRT 3) cut live broadcasting from the parliament explaining that official language in the parliament was Turkish and this is regulated by the constitution and Political Parties Law in Turkey.
Koksal Toptan, Speaker of Parliament, commented on the issue recalling that DTP MPs sometimes intent to speak Kurdish in general assembly as well and this can be ignored. However, Mr. Turk's switching in Kurdish during his speech was against the law for Toptan. Mr. Turk's attempt was also criticized by many in Turkey for being provocative and aiming to increase his party's support from Kurdish citizens before March 2009 general elections. Since other deputies and many journalists did not know Kurdish, Turk's speech was seen inconsiderate as well.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sedat Laciner, Director of the Ankara-based Turkish think tank USAK (International Strategic Research Organization)- commented on Ahmet Turk's speech:
"DTP confines its policies to ethnicity. The party has not developed any solutions to regional problems up to now as March general elections approaches. Thus, they abuse the Kurdish Issue to receive support from its voters. Moreover, DTP's restlessness about the government's attempts to abolish the boundaries upon Kurdish language and TRT's launching in Kurdish is obvious.' Dr. Laciner recalled that Ahmet Turk promised to follow the rules of the parliament before, yet, he acted contrary to this commitment when days left to general elections. Dr. Laciner also stated that "Different from the past, fortunately, Mr. Turk's speech in Kurdish did not create any serious reaction neither from the parliamentarians nor from public.'
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ihsan Bal, Director of the USAK Center for International Security, Ethnic Studies and Terrorism, answered our questions on the issue.
"We asked him if using any language other than the official language in the parliament can be welcomed. Dr. Bal said "Usage of official language in the parliament is a widely practiced stance. However, you can propose a change in this rule via legal procedures. Yet, Mr. Turk aims to hamper the democratization process more than enhancing the liberties of Kurdish people with his attempt. Using a language in the parliament other than Turkish in current legal system is unacceptable."
Dr. Bal also commented on DTP's some party members' attitudes toward the democratization steps in Turkey:
"DTP leader Ahmet Turk and some other members of parliament based their election campaigns on traditional strategies of the party which focuse on increasing tension among people and provocation. Thus, their policies do not aim to produce active projects to solve the regional problems or to provide benefit to Kurdish people by promoting their rights.' Dr. Bal also asserted that there has been significant developments in enhancing cultural rights and in common usage of Kurdish within the context of democratization programs in Turkey in the last decade. However, for Dr. Bal, DTP has been disrupting these changes for a long time. Dr. Bal reminded that DTP Diyarbakir Mayor's words "They recognized our language and identity, and now they are going to recognize our land.' Thus Dr. Bal claimed that "Ahmet Turk's speech in the parliament is not a spontaneous act but a premeditated attempt. Ahmet Turk's and DTP's policies focus on not only increasing tension as the elections approach, yet, their policies also aim to marginalize Turkish politics by carrying it into a separatist position. DTP acts like a party which is established to fail Turkish Parliament in solving the problems. Moreover, the party seems like it addresses the Kandil Mountain instead of Ankara for the solution of problems on the issue, and it values tension instead of democracy.'
DTP's attempts to affect Kurdish citizens in line with their political interests are expected to speed up when the March 2009 general elections approach. The party is known for supporting street protests defending terrorist Abdullah Ocalan's rights and manipulating public against the government.
Although government's activities such as opening a TV channel (TRT 6) which launches in Kurdish was welcomed by Kurdish and Turkish citizens both as an attempt to strengthen the brotherhood among Turkish and Kurdish citizens, it has long been criticized by the DPT.
The Party is also known as a sympathizer of the activities of the separatist terrorist organization PKK and was criticized for supporting it.
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Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Dilek Aydemir (JTW)
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