NEWSCENTRE (DIHA) – Boycott Front will hold a mess meeting in Istanbul to scream ‘Boycott’ for amendment of constitution. It seems that, the referendum will be on Turkey’s agenda until Septemper 12, day for vote. A mass meeting will be held in Istanbul by Boycott Front, contents 36 NGOs, some of political parties on the left, trade unions, confederations and associations. The Boycott Front leaded by the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) and other leftist political parties argues amendment for offering nothing to oppressed people as well as people who are not one of majority, such as Kurdish or Alawias.

The Front’s common slogan is “We do not vote on September 12 since we want a democratic constitution” and “More boycott, more democracy” since the referendum was scheduled.
Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar, Co-Chair of BDP Istanbul Branch, spoke to DIHA to make a call people to participate in the mass meeting of the Boycott Front: “This amendment is not an answer of 1980 coup d’etat constitution. “No” and “Yes” are the same as an answer since both try to protect the coup’s constitution. We do not want to protect it; we want to make our people to aware the game over referendum. We shouldn’t be forced to say yes or no. We have an option and we are going to use it since the government ignores Kurds and their rights. Thereby, we are calling on people to take a part in the mass meeting for boycott in Istanbul will hold on September 5.”

The meeting will be at Abide-i Hürriyet Plaza at 3pm by participation of BDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş, BDP Istanbul Deputy Sebahat Tuncel and Democratic Society Congress’ Co-Chair Aysel Tuğluk.

There are also preparations in Diyarbakır, Siirt, Van, Patnos and Ankara where 5 individuals were arrested during the preparation for boycott.

On the other hand, Selahattin Demirtaş and Gülten Kışanak, BDP Deputy organized a press conference in Diyarbakır to evaluate boycott works. Demirtaş argued AKP administration’s policy on Kurds during his speech. “Peace is more important than the referendum’s results for us. The AKP administration needs to work on peaceful solution whatever the answer would be after referendum” said Demirtaş.

Demirtaş also called on people to meet in Bingöl on September 7 when the final meeting will be held against referendum.

International Peace Day has another meaning for Kurds

Whole BDP branches are enthusiastic to celebrate September First International Peace Day since their goal to reach peace as soon as possible. For this reason there are a lot of meetings and ceremonies will be organized tomorrow besides boycott meetings. Diyarbakır, Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir and almost all cities and some of districts in the Eastern and South Eastern Turkey are the cities where the activities for peace day will on.

On the other hand, Peace Assembly of Turkey made a press release to ask people take a part in the celebrations in and all around Turkey to support peace efforts. Spokesperson Metin Bakkalcı warned government to put more effort for peace since people in Turkey are at the end of their rope. There is no more room for pain, said Bakkalcı referring continuing operations and casualties in the region.
“50 thousands of people died because of this conflicts and the state insists to go on with violence. In fact this violence is not practiced only in Turkey but also in other part of Middle East countries where the Kurds live there. Kurdish side announced cease-fires -17 times in 25 years- as attempting for peace. This might be the last chance to reach the peace. Our exception from State is to be more sensitive about Kurdish problem and their rights. Do not waste this chance for peaceful solution” said Bakkalcı.

NGOs and trade unions in Hatay, where mostly minority people leave like Arabian, Assyrian, Greek, Alawias and some of Kurds, also hold the press conferences to emphasize the importance of peace in Turkey.

Military operation in Patnos district of Ağrı

AĞRI (DİHA) – A military operation in the rural area of Patnos district of Ağrı was held despite just a day before International Peace Day and also PKK’s cease-fire declaration. Plain clothes Gendarmerie Intelligence Team (JİT) also took part in the operation, said locals.

Saying Mr. Ocalan costs fine

Sırrı Sever, head of BDP Varto Branch in Muş, was fined with 625 Turkish Lira for addressing imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, as Mr. ‘Praising crime and criminal’ was the accusation of the court.

‘Dialogue with Öcalan is essential for peaceful solution’

‘Dialogue with Öcalan is essential for peaceful solution’ said Selim Sadak, former deputy and Mayor of Siirt. Sadak spoke at the feast-breaking meal of BDP in Siirt. He suggested that the rights Kurds have already reached are the consequences of the long lasting Kurdish struggle; “Democratic autonomy is the right we deserved. We have never accepted charity. We won all our rights with fight and struggle. Democratic autonomy will be our gaining like our other rights we won.”

(gü)