AKIN STERK

Amid – With the participation of women, intellectuals, artists, academics, workers, and youth, the "1001 Signatures for Democratic Republic and Peace" initiative was announced on Saturday, 12 September, during an event held at the Eyüp Sultan Cultural and Artistic Center, aiming to contribute to pushing Turkey toward peace, equal citizenship, and a democratic solution.

Regarding this initiative, Akin Yeter, co-president of the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), explained that the text of the signature is not merely a text demanding that the Turkish state take certain steps, but a position affirming support for the demands expressed by many segments of society during the path of peace and democratic society, and a declaration of a will embodying this support.

She added that the text, prepared with wide participation including foremost legal professionals, intellectuals, artists, women, youth, and workers, reflects a position aimed at paving the way for the path of peace and democratic society.

On why the Association of Lawyers for Freedom signed the text, Akin Yeter says: "We have declared our will to be supporters of these demands, and to struggle practically to achieve them." She noted that "the path of peace and democratic society has been continuing for about two years, but despite the passage of this period, the aspirations of society and the course of the ongoing process do not align with each other."

She confirms that this path is still trying to continue under circumstances in which the steps that should have been taken have not been taken, and the way has not been opened before it adequately. She explained that opening the way for the path is one of the fundamental goals. She said that there are many steps that should be taken in order to achieve democratization and build a democratic society.

Akin Yeter explained that the "path of peace and democratic society" arose from the will to find a ground to stop the conflict and resolve the Kurdish issue through democratic means, stressing the necessity that the path advance within the framework of democratic politics and the rule of law.

She explained that the mere absence of conflict is not sufficient to entrench peace at the societal level, but it also requires addressing the effects and damages left by the conflict, and taking serious steps to deal with them and limit their repercussions. She noted that entrenching peace in society would contribute to bringing peoples closer together and enhancing understanding between them. She confirms that achieving this requires confronting the past clearly and dealing with its consequences explicitly and responsibly.

"European Court of Human Rights Rulings Must Be Implemented"

Akin Yeter stressed the necessity of supporting the legal struggle aimed at democratizing Turkey, emphasizing the importance of guaranteeing equal citizenship demands constitutionally. She said: "Assessments should be made based on strengthening local administrations, adopting the independence of the judiciary as a basis, and raising discussions related to the democratic constitution within the framework of a democratic social contract that would establish the coexistence of peoples together."

She pointed out that women's and environmental issues are also among the founding elements of this struggle, explaining that the Association of Lawyers for Freedom signed the text for this reason.

Akin Yeter stressed the necessity of not linking the implementation of European Court of Human Rights rulings to the progress of the "path of peace and democratic society," explaining that European Court of Human Rights rulings are rulings that must be implemented under the international agreements to which Turkey is a party. "These rulings have already been issued. They are matters that must be implemented legally, and Turkey is obligated to implement them under the international agreements to which it is a party."

Akin Yeter also addressed the ruling related to the "right to hope" concerning leader Abdullah Öcalan, confirming that the implementation of this ruling does not face, from a legal standpoint, any justification preventing its application.

"The Framework Law Shakes Confidence"

Akin Yeter explained that the discussion about the "framework law" is important in terms of transferring the path to a legal ground, criticizing the delay in implementing the law. "Linking the implementation of the law to a decision of the National Security Council reinforces discussions that see the path as being dealt with according to a policy of a security nature."

She said: "It is still unclear when the National Security Council will conduct this assessment, and when this law will enter into force." She explained that this situation negatively affects society's confidence and expectations.

She added: "If we are in a position where we want peace to become entrenched in society, and for all segments to adopt and support this path, then it is necessary to prepare the conditions that allow the framework law to be implemented as soon as possible."

"Thousands of People Must Be Released"

Akin Yeter stressed the necessity of taking tangible steps toward persons in prisons and persons subject to legal measures, confirming the necessity of activating the mechanisms for submitting applications stipulated by the law.

She also pointed to persons who were forced to go to Europe, confirming the necessity of transforming this issue, which affects hundreds and thousands of people, into practical procedures and enabling them, in accordance with the law, to submit their applications, allowing these cases to be suspended, alongside the necessity of releasing thousands of persons detained in prisons.

At the end of her interview, Akin Yeter stressed the necessity of expanding the scope of the struggle following the issuance of the signatures text, saying that they are dealing with this issue from the standpoint of demanding it and expressing their will to achieve it, while confirming at the same time their readiness to continue the struggle until reaching this goal.