JINHA

MÊRDÎN–The first step to the resolution of the Kurdish question is for the Turkish state to revoke fascistic security laws, said HDP co-chair Figen Yüksekdağ, in a Newroz celebration of tens of thousands in the Kızıltepe district of Mardin province yesterday.

Crowds in Kızıltepe turned the square into a sea of bright colors with their red, green and yellow pennants, posters of Abdullah Öcalan and flags of Kurdish organizations. The keynote speaker at Kızıltepe yesterday was the co-chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Figen Yüksekdağ.

Figen Yüksekdağ took to the stage to the chant of "long live Leader Apo" from the crowd. She commented on President Erdoğan's recent remark that "there is no Kurdish problem."

"All the world laughed at Erdoğan's remarks; the Kurdish people has already won its existence," she said. "World politics now follows the Kurdish struggle. Do you think the president of an entire state doesn't know this? Denial is in their disposition.

"The ones to solve the Kurdish problem will be us," she said. "We will burn the weapons in the fire of Newroz."

Figen mentioned the recent Internal Security Law that the AKP pushed through Parliament. The law, which the AKP rushed through Parliament against the opposition of HDP MPs, empowers the police in a number of alarming ways—including through searches without a warrant and to repress protests.

"The biggest obstacle before peace and resolution is the state's power to use weapons. This is a package securing the state's authority to use weapons," she said. "If you want a solution to the Kurdish problem, then come; throw that law on the fire."

HDP MPs Aysel Tuğluk and Gülser Yıldırım, regional co-mayors and representatives of NGOs also joined the celebrations.

After Figen ended her speech, Kurdish music and dancing followed.

(nt)