The report, prepared by the Institute of Strategic Thinking (SDE), was the outcome of a workshop held on Jan. 22 that included academics, writers and journalists. It said all Kurds are in agreement about the right to receive an education in Kurdish. “This is probably the one topic that all Kurds are in agreement on. No solution is a solution if it does not address this problem. It is imperative to have this demand included on the agenda of political parties and society,” stated Yasin Aktay, the head of the SDE.
The report also suggests the use of “neutral language” in addressing the problem to avoid value judgments. “There is a need to avoid statements which contain negative expressions. Statements like ‘One state, one flag, one nation’ should be avoided since they bring to mind the homogenization policies of the last 80 years for Kurds,” the report suggested.
The report also referred to terms such as “chief terrorist,” “terror organization” and “separatist organization” and indicated that such language harms the process of reconciliation. Another suggestion has been to find a “third weight” or a neutral person, such as a mediator or the president, in order to address the matter in a depoliticized manner.
The report also placed emphasis confidence-building measures: “It was important that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had a meeting with İstanbul deputy Ufuk Uras [from the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP)] regardless of its content because just that they came together has had a softening effect on the sides. Now the ruling party and the BDP should feel responsible for the need to continue that process.”
The report suggests the restoration of Kurdish place names and said even though the interior minister made a “historic statement” regarding this issue, some governors under the ministry do not implement this decision. “This raises questions regarding the sincerity of the Kurdish initiative,” the report said.
According to the report, the BDP and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) have a lot to do in order to sustain an environment of confidence. The report said the BDP made a mistake when it said it does not have the right to call on the PKK to continue its cease-fire.
“This is not a statement that a political party can make. Political parties should try to find a way to end violence in a democratic way. Therefore, the BDP should review its language to keep away from threats of violence.”
The report also highlights the need for Turkey to adopt the remaining clauses of the European Charter of Local Self-Government. It says the Turkish government signed the charter in 1988 and ratified it in 1991 with the exception of some clauses regarding regional autonomy. Those clauses that were not ratified in 1991 can be ratified if the Cabinet approves them.
The SDE’s report underlines the consensus among Kurds regarding education in one’s mother tongue, but also clarifies that this demand does not mean replacing the official language, Turkish, with Kurdish, or vice versa. The report adds that not all Kurds would like to send their children to schools that provide Kurdish-language education, but the state should provide such an opportunity for those who demand it.