CHP Chairperson Özgür Özel called on Gaza in Berlin: ‘Attacks causing civilian deaths must stop immediately’

- ‘SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC POLITICS MUST PRODUCE STRONG AND DECISIVE RESPONSES’

In his speech at the SPD Congress in Berlin, Özgür Özel, Chairperson of the Republican People's Party, said: ‘What is happening in Gaza today is contrary to the principles that social democratic and socialist parties have been defending for more than a century: human rights, the welfare of those in need and the protection of the innocent. That is precisely why we must act to stop this tragedy. We reiterate our call for compliance with United Nations resolutions and international law, for an immediate cessation of attacks causing civilian deaths, and for a permanent ceasefire. We believe that the solution to problems and conflicts all over the world is not through violence and war, but through dialogue and cooperation.’

In his speech in German at the congress of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in Berlin, Özel said: ‘As the Chairperson of the Republican People's Party, I greet your Congress on behalf of the whole of Turkey and convey to you the messages of friendship and solidarity sent to your Congress by social democrats and socialists from Turkey. This Congress of the SPD is taking place at a very critical time for Europe and the whole world. We, as the Republican People's Party, held our Congress a month ago. On the path opened by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our party and our country, in our party, which has been struggling for democracy and social justice for exactly 100 years, we took over our duty by saying 'Change' with my colleagues.’

SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC POLITICS MUST PRODUCE STRONG AND DECISIVE RESPONSES

‘Chancellor Olaf Scholz used the term “turning point” after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. We are indeed at a turning point for Europe and the world. Our continent, our region and the whole world are facing important challenges. Conflicts, human tragedies in the shadow of war and terrorism, economic problems caused by the neoliberal system, social injustices, gender inequalities, the rise of racism and the far right, the migration crisis, the global climate crisis... All these problems and dangers appear simultaneously and feed each other. Social democratic politics, especially we European social democrats and socialists, need to produce strong and decisive responses to all these challenges. As the Republican People's Party, we believe that social democracy is the main tool that will enable humanity to overcome all these difficulties.’

ATTACKS CAUSING CIVILIAN DEATHS IN GAZA MUST BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND A PERMANENT CEASEFIRE MUST BE ESTABLISHED

‘What is happening in Gaza today is contrary to the principles that social democratic and socialist parties have been defending for more than a century: human rights, the welfare of those in need and the protection of the innocent. This is precisely why we need to take action to stop this tragedy. As the Republican People's Party, we support the position taken by Pedro Sanchez, President of the Socialist International family, of which we are a part, and reiterate our call for compliance with United Nations resolutions and international law, for an immediate cessation of attacks causing civilian deaths, and for a permanent ceasefire. We believe that the solution to problems and conflicts all over the world is not through violence and war, but through dialogue and cooperation.’

THE MAIN ELEMENT TO STOP THE RISE OF THE EXTREME RIGHT

‘The construction of a social democratic economic order to replace the neoliberal understanding that leaves millions of people in our countries and all over the world precarious and deprived of their most basic rights is not only a need, but a necessity. An order in which economic and social rights are protected for all is the fundamental element that will stop the rise of racism and the far right, which grows by distorting inequalities. In this respect, I believe that international co-operation and solidarity is the sine qua non condition for producing a holistic response to economic and social challenges, including the climate crisis, the effects of which we feel more and more every day in our daily lives.’ Özel noted the following:

‘WE WANT TO DARE MORE DEMOCRACY’

‘As the founding party of the Republic of Turkey, the Republican People's Party, we will take the initiative, as we have done in the past, to further develop relations between Turkey and Germany in all aspects, to increase co-operation between our nations and to respond to global and regional challenges through this co-operation. Likewise, we will not allow Turkey's goal of full membership of the European Union to be sacrificed to realpolitik developments. The growing solidarity and friendship between CHP and SPD, Turkey and Germany in the new period will further strengthen our international struggle for democracy, social justice and peace. We are still at the beginning of the 21st century. It is the duty of us social democrats to make this century the century of peace, social justice, democracy and equality. It is a fact that the greater the solidarity between our parties and our countries, the further we will go in building a better world. Here I would like to recall the words of Willy Brandt, the unforgettable leader of the SPD: 'We want to dare for more democracy'. With these feelings and thoughts, I once again share with you the messages of friendship and solidarity of the entire Turkish people and wish you a successful congress.’