Turkish main opposition CHP holds ‘Right to Life’ rally in Istanbul 

Duvar English

Turkey’s main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) on Oct. 27 held a “Right to Life” rally in Istanbul’s Barbaros Square. 

CHP's Istanbul organizations began gathering at the site for the rally under tight security measures. Gazete Duvar spoke with some attendees ahead of the rally.

Participants Fethi Erdoğan and Arif Genç Ahmet Uçar believed that CHP needed to be bolder in addressing the Kurdish issue. Some CHP members thought the process initiated by the government ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli’s statements was insincere. Fethi Erdoğan said, “CHP needs to have a policy. Kılıçdaroğlu had actually taken a step. Özgür Özel should have continued his provincial visits. He should have been courageous. Why cancel the program?”

CHP members were inclined to believe their party should create a program and take a leading role in the solution. “Erdoğan says ‘There is a Kurdish problem.’ Özgür Özel must stand firm. We have fallen 5 points in the polls. He needs to be active and take the initiative. Even if CHP is not the leading party, it must stand firm. Otherwise, people will criticize CHP. This issue should be resolved in Parliament.”

However, some were pessimistic about a potential solution and believed the Kurdish issue was not meant to be resolved, saying, “There will never be peace. There is always something. The same thing happened before.”

Shortly before the rally began, the square in the heart of Istanbul overflowed. CHP’s local organizations from nearby provinces also participated in the rally in large numbers.

As CHP organizations entered the rally area, they frequently chanted slogans such as “Shoulder to shoulder against fascism” and “The day will come, the wheel will turn, AKP will answer to the people.” Most of those who came to Barbaros Square were retirees, with a few young groups also taking their place at the rally. The rally featured banners against all forms of violence, from the Istanbul Convention to the killing of stray animals, with participation continuing from both the coastal direction and Barbaros Avenue.

Party leader Özgür Özel took the stage at the rally. He began his speech by condemning the Oct. 23 gun attack at the Turkish Aviation Industries (TUSAŞ) site in the capital Ankara province. 

“Terrorism aims to silence us, and its purpose is to impose direction on us through fear. We work for a Turkey that ensures social peace. We are here for the right to life.” 

The party leader added that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government had made Turkey unsafe for everyone. The government had violated many people’s lives in Turkey, by withdrawing from the Istanbul Convention, passing legislature to exterminate stray dogs, or not overseeing the healthcare system allowing fraud rings to “run rampant” in private hospitals. 

“Those who cannot protect this nation are betrayers of trust. We stand firmly against them. We will fight this government until we correct its actions until it abandons its policies, and until this country becomes safe for women, children, babies, and every one of us. We will save this country again,” declared Özel. 

He continued, “Our stance is clear. We will believe in the existence of the Kurdish issue until the Kurds say there is no problem.” 

He held that the issue must be resolved in parliament, in a process where whoever necessary could speak. “However, appointing one person to solve the problem is a mistaken approach. We designate Parliament as the address for the solution.” 

Özel urged President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to address the recent statements by his ally Devlet Bahçeli regarding Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan’s potential release. “Mr. Erdoğan has still not said two words on the matter. The spokesperson’s duty is over. Erdoğan must come forward and make a statement to this nation. Don’t make Bahçeli your spokesperson; say what you have to say yourself,” he concluded. 

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