Kurds and liberal ideas

Kurds are indisputably the most victimized group in Turkish society. The implication of Kurds as single individuals or groups in certain violent activities does not change this fact. The condemnation of violence or its alienation cannot overshadow this offense. Having said that, not everyone is in agreement with this in Turkey. I have seen some "self-styled liberals", who rebuke people, point out the significance of the peace process and say, "What problems do Kurds have at all?!" or say, "There used to be no distinction between Turks and Kurds, no one called themselves Kurds before" or "the peace process is not that important, come on".

Kurds were victimized because of the identity denials and suppression. They were not recognized for a long time. They were called Mountain Turks. In addition, later on, it was whispered in their ears that they had better accept their status because of the "founding values"; otherwise, certain misfortunes would befall them.

They were prevented from naming their kids the way they wanted. The names of locations were changed. Kurdish ancestors and the Kurdish culture as the real heritage of this land were being forgotten.

Kurdish origin citizens were expelled in masses. They underwent slaughters many times. They were prevented from being educated in their own language. They were not permitted to participate in the administration of their own regions in an efficient way.

The "no Kurdish problem" argument can only be justified in one way: that its proponents accept the "no-Turkish problem" in case the reverse condition was applied, considering the same done to Turks by Kurds.

Kurdish leaders were highly hopeful during the transition period into democracy. In the initial years of democracy, certain steps were taken towards the equality of Kurds. Unfortunately, the progress did not continue back then. It deteriorated whenever the deep state externally interfered with the democratic politics. Certain Kurdish people took up guns under the influence of the equalization term in socialism during the 1960"s socialist ideals and independence movements. The military struggle did not give them much, but rather harmed the fairness of the Kurdish cause and its legitimacy. In other words, it caused much more harm than benefit to Kurds who accepted socialism as a path. The situation today is not different. The Kurdish movement, which has a genuine social base, is hoping in vain when looking at the Turkish left which has been registered for its continuous misreading of events and has no social base. I don"t know if they realize it or not, but this only confines them to a limited social group and Kurdish party, or such perception.

I have always deplored that the Kurds and the Kurdish movement have been under the influence of socialism instead of liberal ideas. I think that if the Kurdish movement had adopted a liberal path, both the Kurdish question would have been solved so easily and the liberation of Turkey would have been expedited.

Indeed, a liberal Kurdish movement could have played a more efficient role in the Kurdish question and in solving the general problems of Turkey. Without falling into an unnamed, internal mortal combat, the rights of Kurds could have been returned. Just like every oppressed movement, now the Kurdish movement appealed to liberal ideas without naming them as liberal. The strongest theses of the Kurdish movement are all liberal-inspired ideas, nothing much to do with socialism. However, the number of those, who realize this in the Kurdish society or admit it, is far less than it should be.

Perhaps I am being overly pessimistic, as there are liberals who are Kurds in origin and their number is increasing every passing day. These friends have sharp observation analysis skills. In fact, they had no difficulty in seeing that the operation by the government at Gezi and December 17-25 events was against themselves. They have a good intellectual background and they are becoming better known in society every day. The increasing number of Kurdish liberals and the fact that the leaders of the Kurdish movement are paying more attention to liberal ideas is good for all of us and for the entire country of Turkey.

In this regard, the presidential candidate, Selahattin Demirtas, visited the Association for Liberal Thinking (LDT) on July 12 and had a long and highly fruitful conversation with the LDT liberals.

I am sure that Mr. Demirtas was glad to speak to liberals and listen to them. I am also sure that LDT liberals were honored to welcome Demirtas and benefited from his words. In the eyes of many liberals, Selahattin Demirtas is a more favorable name for the upcoming elections compared to Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

There are a countless number of benefits for Kurdish leaders coming from engaging with liberal-mannered people and not only confining themselves to marginal leftist intellectuals. Having said this, I would like to mention something here. Two years ago, as LDT, we applied to the Minister of Justice for permission to send Abdullah Öcalan two packages of books involving liberal themes. Our closer contact with Kurds or purpose is not to advise Kurds. In order to mutually learn from each other, everyone has sufficient reasoning, especially Kurds. As the main representative of the liberal ideas and the main association of the liberal ideas, with the end goal of learning from each other, we are willing to engage more with Kurds, who comprise one of the most significant parts of the society. My hope is that this last visit contributed to this end, as well.