JINHA

ISTANBUL – Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Group Chair PervinBuldan, a member of the İmralı Delegationthat recently went on television alongside the ruling party to announce 10 points of concern for the Kurdish peace process approved by PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, says that now the authoritarian Internal Security Law could change.

Pervin also said that the Saturday announcement was not a call for disarmament, but for discussion of the 10 points to begin urgently so that a PKK congress on disarmament could take place.

The Internal Security Law proposes major increases in police powers in Turkey, including the ability to conduct searches without a court order and to arrest people for offenses like wearing Kurdish traditional clothes.

Some articles of the law have passed through Turkey's Parliament. The HDP, calling the law an attack on fundamental rights, women and Kurds, held a sit-in on the floor of Parliament. Male AKP MPs attacked HDP members during discussions of the law.

"Our legal commission has been working with all speed" on the Internal Security Law issue since Saturday, says Pervin. "There are some articles that we have particular objections to. The law will continue to be seen [in Parliament], but the articles that have already been passed could be taken up again and changed."

The recent announcementwas the first time state officials, ministers and public security undersecretaries appeared together with the opposition to communicate on behalf of the jailed leader—a major step, according to Pervin.

"We can call this a new roadmap, because what happens after this will show whether we'll see a new Turkey. We'll see. After this, will the promises be kept? Will steps be taken?" asked Pervin."If there can be an understanding on the 10 points, then the PKK will meet and maybe we can talk about a new Turkey."The 10 points call for democratizing changes in the political system and constitution.

Pervin said without shared understanding on the 10 points, the joint announcement would not have been possible. However, "what needs to happen next is for our delegation to quickly start discussion of a monitoring board and the 10 points."

"Because maybe no one is repeating this but what Mr. Öcalan is talking about is a declaration of intention," said Pervin. Many media outlets have erroneously reported that the PKK Leader has called on fighters to lay down arms, but this is not the case. "He's saying that if there is an understanding reached on these 10 points, then 'I will invite the PKK to a congress.' So what really needs to be discussed is the 10 points themselves."

Pervin says the delegation wants to meet as soon as possible with Mr. Öcalan on İmralı Island, where the Turkish government keeps him imprisoned.

(fk/cm)