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Turkey

What Turkey Needs If It Wants Peace: A Real Democracy

Turkish President Erdogan on April 2
Turkish President Erdogan on April 2
Özgür Mumcu

-OpEd-

Turkey has never been a stranger to terror attacks. But it seems that the spiral of violence we have entered since the June 7, 2015, general election is so severe that it cannot be compared to anything that came before. Worse: There's no resolution in sight, no sign of an end to this violent atmosphere. We are expected to accept what is happening simply as an act of nature.

If not, why would President Recep Tayyip Erdogan say: "This struggle that started with the first man on Earth will last until the end of days," as he condemned Tuesday's car bomb assault in central Istanbul, assuring the public that the fight against terrorism will carry on? This is not a message of determination. This is an admission that the issue will never be settled, that it will go on forever.

We have seen how recklessly the Kurdish issue, one of the most important issues in this country, was handled. How impossible it was for the peace process, with the legal structure that it requires, to be put in place.

This is what happens when everything is about one man. One day he says, "Don't let the mothers cry anymore." And the next day he'll give you statements of hopelessness about struggles dating back to the first man. Peace talks initially spark tears of joys among government officials and journalists but their stance grows hawkish with time. This is one man toying with everyone else.

At the time the peace process was most popular, a group of people came together to sign a declaration titled "Democracy for Peace." Its main point was that to achieve peace, democratization is a priority. But a signed declaration objected to the peace process being a factor in the discussion of changes to the presidential system wanted by Erdogan: "Combining unrelated issues, such as the constitutional steps to be taken to resolve the Kurdish problem and the presidential system into one constitutional reform package for referendum, will neither fit democratic ethics nor serve peace in society. Pitting peace against democracy in Turkey will benefit no one."

Government officials criticized those who signed the statement for not wanting peace but the signatories were afraid that circumstances would deteriorate to the current situation.

Unfortunately, they were right.

A self-respecting state cannot accept one man ripping the agreement apart when he could not get his executive presidential system. A good opportunity for reconciliation in society was wasted by one man's career plans. Seriousness is not about making strong statements with a frowning face: Seriousness means taking responsibility and being accountable.

This country has been on fire the past year. Of course, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is also guilty in igniting the fire. If there's peace one day, there will be justice and the PKK will be held legally accountable. But we are citizens of the Republic of Turkey, not the PKK. Therefore, when a president says this struggle "will last until the end of days," we have the right to ask: "Why?"

Why will it last?

Why did you overturn the negotiation table?

Why did you tear the agreement apart?

What has changed?

How can a government think itself successful when bombs routinely go off in its cities? The truth is obvious: There cannot be peace without a real democracy. A school of thought feeding on polarization, and not reconciliation, only brings about suffering.

Us first and him last. The previously mentioned peace declaration also notes this: "It will not be possible to establish a lasting peace in Turkey unless steps are taken to actualize all human rights for every citizen of Turkey."

We cannot go on with this underdeveloped democracy until the end of days.

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Society

In Nicaragua, A Tour Of Nightlife Under Dictatorship

Nicaraguan publication Divergentes takes a night tour of entertainment spots popular with locals in Managua, the country's capital, to see how dictatorship and emigration have affected nightlife.

In Nicaragua, A Tour Of Nightlife Under Dictatorship

The party goes on...

Divergentes

MANAGUA — Owners of bars, restaurants and nightclubs in the Nicaraguan capital have noticed a drop in business, although some traditional “nichos” — smaller and more hidden spots — and new trendy spots are full. Here, it's still possible to dance and listen to music, as long as it is not political.

There are hardly any official statistics to confirm whether the level of consumption and nightlife has decreased. The only reliable way to check is to go and look for ourselves, and ask business owners what they are seeing.

This article is not intended as a criticism of those who set aside the hustle and bustle and unwind in a bar or restaurant. It is rather a look at what nightlife is like under a dictatorship.

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