HÜDA PAR Chairman Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu has called for a lasting resolution to Türkiye’s Kurdish issue based on justice, equality and the legal foundations of brotherhood, describing the ongoing “Terror-Free Türkiye” process as an important opportunity to end decades of violence and strengthen social unity.

Speaking at HÜDA PAR’s 5th Ordinary Diyarbakır Provincial Congress, held under the theme “Honest Politics, Genuine Justice,” Yapıcıoğlu addressed the Kurdish issue, economic challenges, constitutional reform, family policy and the situation in Gaza.

He stressed that ending armed violence must go hand in hand with establishing justice and rebuilding trust among the country’s communities.

“We hope that weapons will be taken out of the equation, politics will speak, and brotherhood will prevail,” he said.

Yapıcıoğlu said the Kurdish issue was not impossible to resolve, arguing that a lasting solution depended on political will, courage and sincerity.

He pointed to the work of the parliamentary commission established under the “Terror-Free Türkiye, Democracy and Brotherhood” process, noting that it had held 21 meetings and heard from more than 130 individuals and organizations.

However, he emphasized that meaningful progress required more than dialogue and political declarations. He called for the rights of Kurdish citizens, including education in their mother tongue, to be addressed.

“Brotherhood cannot be built through words alone. It has a legal framework, and that framework must be fulfilled,” he said.

Yapıcıoğlu maintained that genuine brotherhood required equal treatment, the protection of rights and concrete steps to address longstanding grievances.

Turning to the economy, Yapıcıoğlu criticized the impact of high inflation, rising rents, declining purchasing power, unemployment and mounting debt on ordinary citizens.

He also drew attention to projected interest payments in the proposed 2027 budget, which he said would reach approximately 3.975 trillion Turkish liras.

Calling for an “interest-free Türkiye,” he advocated economic policies that would ease the burden on low-income households and retirees.

He argued that the lowest pension should be raised to at least the minimum wage and that the minimum wage should take into account workers’ family responsibilities and dependents.

Yapıcıoğlu also called for the expansion of social rental housing to help address housing affordability and urged the completion of irrigation projects under the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) and the Eastern Anatolia Project (DAP).

He said completing these projects would support agricultural production and contribute to regional economic development.

Yapıcıoğlu also reiterated the need for a new civilian constitution to replace the current constitution, which dates back to the 1980 military coup.

He argued that a new constitution should respect citizens’ faith, identities and differences, while providing a stronger foundation for justice and equal citizenship.

On family policy, he called for measures to protect family life, including mediation mechanisms to help resolve family disputes and greater support for young couples.

Addressing the situation in Gaza, Yapıcıoğlu condemned Israel’s actions against Palestinians, particularly the continued humanitarian suffering and deprivation despite the ceasefire.

He argued that using hunger and thirst as weapons and killing civilians, including babies, went beyond an attack on Gaza and reflected a broader failure to uphold basic human values.

He also criticized what he described as Western double standards in responding to international crises, calling for greater unity among Muslim countries.

In this context, Yapıcıoğlu highlighted the importance of cooperation among Muslim-majority nations and pointed to the D-8 organization as a potential platform for closer political and economic coordination.

The congress also concluded with the re-election of Zeynul Abidin Gülsever as HÜDA PAR’s Diyarbakır provincial chairman. Gülsever received all valid votes in the single-candidate election.

The gathering brought together party members and supporters to discuss HÜDA PAR’s political priorities, with Yapıcıoğlu emphasizing justice, economic fairness, social solidarity and the need for concrete steps to resolve longstanding problems. (ILKHA)