MÊRDÎN – Syriac Protestant Church Pastor Enver Peker emphasized that discussions at the peace table must focus on the future rather than past grievances and stated, “Without legal reforms, the process will remain only in words.”

 

The Democratic Unity Initiative’s conference, titled “Peoples, Faiths, and Democratic Coexistence in Mesopotamia,” brought together representatives of different ethnic and religious communities in Mêrdîn (Mardin) to discuss coexistence, peace, and the construction of a democratic society. 

 

The event also reflected on Abdullah Öcalan’s “Call for Peace and a Democratic Society,” highlighting the responsibilities of the government and parliament in advancing the process.

 

Speaking to Mezopotamya Agency (MA), Pastor Peker said holding the conference in a multicultural city like Mêrdîn was particularly meaningful: “Since Mêrdîn is home to many different peoples and faiths, participation here carries great value. But diversity exists across the whole country, and dialogue like this is essential for resolving problems peacefully.”

 

He stressed that discussions on peace should not focus on past crimes or grievances: “In our faith, sins are not counted when we seek reconciliation. If we keep bringing up the past, we can’t sit together. At the peace table, we shouldn’t dwell on problems, we should discuss the future. How can we live together? How can we build a shared life? Those are the questions we must answer.”

 

‘A NEW LIFE REQUIRES LAW, NOT JUST WORDS’

 

Peker stressed that a new social order must be grounded in mutual recognition and legal guarantees: “A new life cannot be built on rhetoric. Every politician can speak beautifully, but that’s not enough. These principles must be written into law, into human rights legislation, recognizing that everyone is equal and that every language has a rightful place.”

 

He criticized the inconsistency of allowing Kurds to speak their language at home but prohibiting it in parliament: “That’s hypocrisy. The idea of the nation-state must be rethought. If we truly believe in brotherhood, the barriers against language and identity must be lifted. Only then will Kurds see the state as their own and themselves as part of it.”

 

‘RESPONSIBILITY LIES WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENT’

 

Calling Öcalan’s peace initiative “valuable and historic,” Peker said the shift from armed struggle to dialogue was a major step: “For years, this country lived through armed conflict. Ending that is already a great achievement. But it must now be followed by action. After Devlet Bahçeli’s call, new opportunities for dialogue opened, now, the responsibility lies with the government and parliament. They must enact the necessary legal reforms so that peace can be secured by law. Without such laws, everything will remain symbolic.”

 

Peker concluded that lasting peace would benefit everyone: “When peace and stability are achieved, society as a whole will feel the positive effects. If there is unrest, we will all suffer; if there is harmony, we will all prosper. As Syriacs, we consider this process deeply valuable.”

 

MA / Ahmet Kanbal