QERS - Expressing his concerns about the process due to the failure of democratic rules, Prof. Dr. Yusuf Gunerhan said, “We must stand together as a society. We must strive and work hard for the process to be successful.” 

 

Representatives of the Terekeme, Circassian, Kurdish and Turkish peoples, as well as the Ja'fari, Muslim and Christian faiths, came together at the “Meeting of Peoples and Faiths” held in Qers (Tr; Kars) on 30 October with the participation of Tuncer Bakırhan, Co-Chair of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party. Professor Yusuf Günerhan, Doctor of Surgical Medical Sciences at the Faculty of Medicine, Caucasus University, who participated in the meeting to exchange views on the Peace and Democratic Society Process, shared his assessments with our agency. 

 

Originally from Karapapak (Terekeme), Günerhan stated that he welcomed the Peace and Democratic Society Process with respect, drawing attention to the diversity of peoples and faiths in the city. He noted that different nations in Kars are related to each other through marriage. 

 

“Kinship means brotherhood, solidarity. This should really be an example for all of Turkey. Here, all peoples can live together in peace,” he stated. 

 

'DEMOCRATIC RULES ARE NOT WORKING'

 

Gunerhan said he welcomed the process with hope but was concerned that not all segments of society were embraced, adding that democratic rules were not working. Gunerhan said that society was being polarised and marginalised by segments he described as “opportunistic” and added: "We need to have sociological discussions about this. Those who benefit from the privileges of power are doing this. Those who say, ‘Yes, let people fight amongst themselves. Then I can comfortably exercise my power. Let the opportunities of power always be mine. Let others not share in this’ are causing this polarisation and othering."

 

'WE MUST MAKE AN EFFORT FOR THE PROCESS TO BE SUCCESSFUL'

 

Günerhan added: “I want to be realistic about this. If there is transparency, the process will succeed. But I am concerned that if there are ulterior motives, if there are secret deals, we will not succeed. We need to show solidarity as a society. Our feelings of brotherhood need to prevail. We must show effort and strive for the process to be successful.” 

 

MA / Omer Akın