HÜDA PAR (Free Cause Party) concluded its two-day "Humanitarian Solution to the Kurdish Issue Workshop" in Diyarbakır, focusing on the historical, social, and political dimensions of the Kurdish issue.

The workshop, held over four sessions, brought together experts and activists to discuss the pressing Kurdish question in Türkiye and the wider region.

At the conclusion of the workshop, a final declaration was presented in both Turkish and Kurdish. The declaration was read by HÜDA PAR’s GİK member Mahmut Şahin in Turkish and GİK member Abdussamed Yalçın in Kurdish.

Declaration Highlights Kurdish History and Contributions

The declaration began by referencing the Quranic verse, "It is one of the signs of Allah that your languages and colours are different" (Rum: 22), emphasizing the central role of Kurdistan in the broader Islamic ummah. The statement acknowledged the historical contributions of the Kurdish people to Islam, noting their early embrace of Islam in the first century and their subsequent guardianship of Islamic holy sites. The declaration underscored that Kurds, who have produced countless heroes, scholars, and leaders, have played vital roles in the struggles of the Islamic world.

Kurdish Issue as a Complex, Multifaceted Problem

The final declaration pointed to the first century of the Republic of Türkiye, describing it as a period marked by trauma, massacres, and injustices, particularly for the Kurds. It argued that this century of turmoil has contributed to instability in both Türkiye and the broader region. The statement emphasized that the Kurdish issue is not simply about public order, violence, or terrorism; rather, it is a multifaceted problem with deep historical, political, legal, and sociological roots.

The declaration also warned that international powers and imperialist forces could exacerbate the situation, undermining efforts for a just resolution.

Call for a Just and Comprehensive Solution

The statement stressed that the Kurdish issue must be approached through a just and comprehensive framework, considering all of its dimensions. It highlighted the need for a new methodology, where "procedure precedes substance." The declaration also criticized the nation-state paradigm and the racist/nationalist perspectives that have contributed to the Kurdish problem. A solution, it argued, could only be achieved through an approach rooted in humanitarian and Islamic values, drawing from historical experiences.

Proposals for Resolving the Kurdish Issue

The declaration outlined several key points and proposals for resolving the Kurdish issue in the new century:

1. A Call for Peace and Justice: The Kurdish issue has been unresolved for a century and continues to affect future generations. The declaration urged the importance of building a future based on peace, justice, and mutual respect.
2. Recognition of Kurdish Rights: The declaration stressed that the rights and sensitivities of the Kurdish people must be respected. It noted that Islam plays a key role in these sensitivities, and any solution that goes against Islamic values would not be accepted by the Kurds.
3. Condemnation of Violence: It emphasized that violence and armed conflict, which have caused immense suffering and loss, are not solutions to the Kurdish issue. It called for the condemnation of those who view arms as a way to resolve the issue.
4. End to Discrimination: The declaration called for the abandonment of nationalist policies that have led to the denial and assimilation of Kurdish identity. Legal and constitutional reforms should be enacted to ensure the rights of Kurds are upheld and to promote social and political harmony.
5. Apology for Past Atrocities: It called for an official apology from the Turkish state for past atrocities committed against Kurds, particularly for the persecution of Kurdish scholars like Sheikh Said-i Palevi. The declaration also called for the identification of burial sites of these scholars.
6. Rewriting History: The statement proposed that the historical unity between Kurds and Turks in critical events, such as the Malazgirt, Çanakkale, and War of Independence, should be rewritten in an accurate and authentic manner.
7. Constitutional Guarantee for Kurdish Language: It called for the constitutional recognition of the Kurdish language and the removal of obstacles to education in the mother tongue.
8. Revision of the Current Constitution: The declaration demanded a new constitution based on equal citizenship, rejecting the discriminatory "Turk" identity imposed on all citizens of Türkiye. It also urged the removal of exclusionary discourse from state institutions and education.
9. Symbolizing Kurdish Unity: The declaration called for the removal of the borders that divide Kurds across the region, symbolized by the Sykes-Picot agreement, and for fostering the development of social, economic, and cultural relations among Kurdish communities.
10. Commitment to a Peaceful Future: Finally, the declaration urged all parties to take responsibility for securing the individual and collective rights of Kurds, ensuring peace, justice, and building a united future for all citizens.

In its final remarks, the declaration called for a departure from past mistakes and the implementation of a political solution through dialogue and mutual understanding. The workshop’s conclusion marks a significant step in addressing the Kurdish issue and advocating for a just, inclusive solution for all peoples in Türkiye. The declaration’s emphasis on Islamic values and humanitarian principles provides a framework for future discussions aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. (ILKHA)