WKI Condemns Arrest of HADEP Mayors: Calls for Protest by US Administration
Washington, D.C. – On February 19, 2000, Mayors Feridun Celik of Diyarbakir, Selim Ozalp of Siirt and Feyzullah Karaaslan of Bingol, were arrested and detained by Turkish authorities. The three Kurdish officials, elected from the People’s Democracy Party (HADEP), were accused of having links with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
WKI President, Dr. Najmaldin O. Karim, issued the following statement concerning the arrests:
“These arrests, the impending court ruling which will likely close HADEP, and other heavy-handed restrictions of nonviolent political expression can only be viewed as deliberate attempts by Turkey’s rulers to prolong the Kurdish conflict. In the wake of the incarceration of PKK leader Ocalan and meaningful steps by the PKK to end the armed struggle, many believed that 37 elected HADEP Mayors could provide a nucleus for a new nonviolent Kurdish political movement. Such hopes were fueled by meetings the Mayors had with Turkish President Demirel, US Assistant Secretary of State Harold Koh, other European officials, and, two days before their arrests, Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh.
While European leaders and Kurdish communities worldwide publicly condemn this latest affront to democracy, Washington remains silent. I fear the following excerpt from President Clinton’s recent letter to Congress is emblematic of Washington’s studied “head-in-the-sand” response: “Prime Minister Ecevit has worked diligently to support the expansion of democracy and individual freedom . . . one particular [achievement] stands out: the passage of amendments to the Political Parties Law providing greater protection of political organizations, including pro-Kurdish and pro-Islamic parties.” And, while it still may be wishful thinking that the US Administration would publicly rebuke its strategic and economic partner, the arrests should make it more difficult for the Administration to find justifications for approving a pending $4 billion sale of US attack helicopters to Turkey.
Coming on the heels of the Turkish government’s refusal to allow an EU delegation to meet jailed former parliamentarian Leyla Zana, Ankara’s message is loud and clear. Anyone supporting Turkey’s EU entry should be deeply distressed by these demonstrative rebukes of democratization and peaceful reconciliation. With these latest arrests, Turkey’s shadow rulers are once again telling the world that they are determined to remain a repressive totalitarian regime, despite the practiced masquerade as aspiring EU applicant.
Turkish media reports have linked the arrests to growing displeasure in ruling circles with foreign attention focused on the Mayors. Mr. Celik and other Mayors planned to visit the United States this Spring to meet Congressional and Administration officials. Fearful that HADEP increasingly represents a non-violent alternative to the PKK, Turkish authorities have decided to arrest its leaders to prevent them from having discussions abroad. Turkey’s rulers would be better served addressing real issues of Kurdish cultural and political rights, rather than trashing stated human rights commitments in order to stifle critical debate and silence peaceful Kurdish dissent.”