Sufferings Need to be Recognized for Peace

These words are coming from a woman in the province of Diyarbakir...

"It is very clear that citizenship, as defined in the Constitution, does not grant equal rights," said Professor Dr. Melek Goregenli from the Psychology Department of Ege University. "This is the same as saying, 'I wish I could be a citizen."

Goregenli talked to bianet about the outcome and evaluation of the field study on the "Attitude Toward Violence and Torture," she conducted for the Diyarbakir Bar Association in April-May 2005. Goregenli had conducted a field study of the same pattern in Izmir last year.

During the study, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 713 people in 57 neighborhoods of 4 central districts of Diyarbakir. The findings of the study will be compiled in a book and published by the Diyarbakir Bar.

Solution is democracy, not violence

Striking findings of the Study

* The least-trusted institutions in Diyarbakir: Police, media, army, the Granda National Assembly (TBMM) and the Presidency.

* The most trusted institutions: Satellite media, local administrations, non-governmental institutions, university.

* People believe that violence and torture can be overcome through democracy.

* They widely believe that poor people and the ones with no influential acquaintances are subjected to torture.

* Who carries out verbal and physical violence the most? Police, father, husband, senior military officials.

* Women are the ones who are mostly affected from violence, torture, language problems and discrimination.

* 66 percent believe that torture can be prevented if the government takes the necessary measures.

* 95 percent believe there exits torture in Turkey.

* 76 percent say that they or a family member was tortured or treated badly. 86 percent believe that there is no penalty for torture. Only 24 percent believe that there are no obstacles in front of seeking justice.

Respondents said that the "Kurdish problem" can only be solved through democratization. When saying this, they don't emphasize the "Kurdish identity" in an overpowering, nationalistic way.

According to Goregenli, the sufferings should be accepted, recognized.

"Kurds suffered as much as Turks," said Goregenli. "It should be accepted that Kurds suffered too. The suffering also arises from the poverty and inequality in the region. For that reason, a post-traumatic approach is needed for the whole country."

Goregenli said that a different approach by the government could bring about great progress:

"More people in Diyarbakir than in Izmir believe that violence and torture could be overcome if the government takes measures. A different attitude and approach by the government could solve this. And for this, the non-governmental organizations and local administrations are key.

"The mother tongue plays a big role in people's trust in the satellite media. They believe that satellite media represents them more. Because there is no other alternative media."

Women

According to Goregenli, women are the ones who are mostly affected from violence. The study shows that domestic violence is not the most widespread form of violence in Diyarbakir. The same study had showed that domestic violence is the most widespread form of violence in Izmir.

"The most widespread form of violence is violence by security forces for both men and women in Diyarbakir," said Goregenli. "This does not mean that domestic violence is infrequent in Diyarbakir. It just shows that violence from state institutions is more widespread than other forms of violence."

Problem of mother tongue

Goregenli said that the study revealed two problems about the mother tongue.

"First of all, because they don't know Turkish, they speak Kurdish and they are punished for that," said Goregenli. "Secondly, because they don't know Turkish, and because the other side doesn't know Kurdish, they can't explain or express themselves. And this is a difficulty for them."

"A younger and more educated group knows both Turkish and Kurdish. But they are pressured when they attempt to use their mother tongues."

Young people are more inclined to peace and democracy

Goregenli said there are striking findings about the 18-25 year olds:

"Trust for institutions increases with age in Izmir," said Goregenli. "And this is the same in the world. The reason is that young people's relations with the system is weak. Integration into the system increases with age. But in Diyarbakir, nobody trusts in institutions like the army or police. But trust in satellite media increases with age. The young people have more trust in institutions like the TBMM and Presidency. And this is an opportunity for all of us." (TK/EA/YE)