Peace Manifesto

[kurd-l at burn.ucsd.edu]

From: mail06672 at pop.net (AKIN)

Peace Manifesto On The Occasion Of World Peace Day (September 1)

        The specter of war, humanity's number one enemy since centuries
past, is continuing to haunt our country. In the last 10 years, it has
taken 20,000 lives, destroyed thousands of villages, driven millions of
people from their homeland, burned forests, and dried up the earth. And is
it not this undeclared dirty war which is chiefly responsible for our
hunger, unemployment, and economic crisis?
        On September 1, World Peace Day, the need to end this war, which is
threatening and undermining the future of our society, becomes clearly
evident once again. This day is the anniversary of Hitler's attack on
Poland, an action which touched off the Second World War, a war which cost
50 million human lives. The defeat of Hitler's fascism was proof that
racism, occupation, and violence are no solution. So why do people still
hold onto such unjust and false policies, which the past 100 years have
continually proven to be unsuited for treating suffered pains?
        Those people who profit from war promote racism and fascism so that
we might kill each other. Can someone who shouts "If you don't like it,
then leave!" really wish to find peaceful understanding and equality with
their opponent?
        The deaf sultans need to hear the screams of the war victims
themselves. "The state is following the wrong path!" That is what we hear
in the voices of Kurdish families who have lost their children, in the
voices of the people in prison for seeking a democratic solution, in the
voices of the families of soldiers who are sent off to war.
        We love this country and the people who live here. Why do others
wish to continue this war? Is it not rather our duty, in the name of
humanity, to struggle against this war, which is pitting people against one
another and destroying all forms of hope? Why shouldn't people be educated
in their own language? Why is one segment of the population forced to live
under martial law, why others are governed by normal laws? Aren't these
measures, which destroy the basis of our coexistence, the real example of
separatism?
        The primary victims of this war are women, children, and elderly
people. The war is threatening the people who are responsible for the
continuation of our civilization. They are being left behind in ruins which
can never be built up again. In the war regions, young people are not
receiving an education, and expulsions are reducing the living
possibilities for elderly people, women, and children.
        War brings death to the people and money to the profiteers. Why
should we kill each other in an effort to prevent fundamental rights from
being enjoyed, rights which form the basis for the equality of peoples as
documented in human rights accords? The conscience of each individual,
regardless of their language, race, gender, nationality, or faith, should
dictate that they oppose the false and harmful policies of war, which
alienate us further from humanity with each passing day.
        Enough! This war must be ended! The parties to this conflict must
sign a cease-fire agreement! Let us see to it that they do!
        Let us engage in a free and open discussion about a democratic
solution to the Kurdish question. Human rights should form the foundation
of our law. People must not be imprisoned for their thoughts or opinions.
Everything which we wish for ourselves we should also desire for our
neighbors. Let us defend their right to have life, their native language,
an education, and a political identity.
        The suffering must come to an end. The wounds must be healed. The
parliament should immediately abandon its politics of war and decree a
general amnesty as the first step towards peace. The state of emergency
must be lifted. If we wish to see an end to our citizens being executed in
foreign countries, then we ourselves must abolish the death penalty. If we
are saddened by the human tragedy in Bosnia, then we must also see the
fires in our own country and seek to put them out by providing a positive
example for people by opposing all forms of ethnic, social, or political
genocide.
        There is nothing which divides the people. The problem lies with
the state, in its structure and outlook. These must finally be changed. The
state must recognize the identity and rights of the Kurds and take steps
towards a democratic solution. A free and happy future for the Turks,
Kurds, and all other peoples who live in this country can only become
reality if we seek to defend our common living culture and recognize and
respect each other's identity.
        Let us stop the politics of war which dehumanize people. We may not
and must not respect these; we must resist them.
        The hope of the people lies not in war but rather in a true democracy!
        We promise to continue this cry for as long as necessary until
peace is reached. We call on everyone to join with us in this call for
peace.

Yasar Kemal, writer
Melik Firat, member of parliament
Munir Ceylan, trade unionist
Ercan Kanar, deputy chair of the Human Rights Association (IHD)


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