Bakırhan to Alevis: "You have nothing to fear"
DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan, meeting with Alevi organizations, responded to concerns about the peace process with a call for equal citizenship. "We're at the first stage. We're discussing peace," Bakırhan said, framing democracy as the goal of the next stage and urging Alevis to walk the path together.
RastinewsDEM Party Co-Chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan met with representatives of Alevi organizations in Ankara. The talks addressed Alevi criticisms, concerns and demands regarding the ongoing process.
Bakırhan said the process must benefit the whole of society, not just Kurds. "The ultimate goal isn't just peace — it's democracy, it's equal citizenship," he said. Addressing Alevis directly, Bakırhan said, "You have nothing to fear," adding, "If Alevis become equal, Kurds become free."
Equal citizenship, a phased approach to democracy
Asked where democracy fits into the process, Bakırhan said:
"We're at the first stage right now. We're discussing peace — trying to end the violence and conflict and bring our problems to the table. The next stage is democracy, the rule of law, the struggle for a democratic Turkey."
Bakırhan listed equal citizenship for Alevis, legal status for cemevis, and an end to discrimination among the conditions for genuine peace. He said DEM Party would not consent to any process that excludes Alevis.
"They're trying to divide us"
Turning to the debates playing out over Alevi identity, Bakırhan said, "They're trying to divide us. They even want to separate Alevis from Alevis." He rejected the notion of a "acceptable Alevi" category, calling that kind of language dangerous.
Bakırhan said past massacres and assimilation would not be forgotten, and called on Alevi organizations to jointly discuss and address the process's shortcomings.
Alevi organizations to meet other parties too
Mustafa Aslan, head of the Alevi Bektashi Federation, said the group would raise Alevi concerns and demands at the meeting. Aslan said the talks would not be limited to DEM Party, and that they would meet with other political parties in the coming weeks.
/MA/