FOR AN INDEPENDENT
AND DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY
WHERE ALL NATIONALITIES
AND PEOPLES ARE FREE;
WHERE A PREMIUM IS PLACED ON LABOUR, JUSTICE AND HONOUR;
WHERE THE PEOPLE GOVERN
THE BLUEPRINT FOR A
PEOPLE’S CONSTITUTION
BY
THE PLATFORM FOR
RIGHTS AND FREEDOM
INDEX
PROLOGUE……………………………………………………………………………………………….3
THE BLUEPRINT OF THE CONSTITUTION FOR ADEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC
THE ESSENCE AND THE MEANING OF IT…………………………………………………..7
SECTION 1:
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STATE AND THE GOVERNMENT ………….9
SECTION 2:
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND INDEPENDENCE………………………………10
SECTION 3:
DEMOCRACY AND PARTICIPATION OF THE PEOPLE IN THE GOVERNMENT…………………………………………………………………………………………12
SECTION 4:
RIGHT OF SELF-DETERMINATION FOR THE NATIONALITIES
AND THE SOLUTION OF THE KURDISH PROBLEM………………………………………………14
SECTION 5:
RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES………………………………………………………………………….16
Right to live – Torture is a crime against humanity – Immunity for individuals even if suspected of a crime – Freedom of religion – Freedom of thought and freedom of the press – Racism is a crime against humanity – Freedom of movement – Women, family and c hildren – All workers have the right to work, to make a living and to be part of an organization – Education and science are for people – Health ,accommodation and transportation – Culture and art – Environment – Sport – The right to migrate – Martyrs and relatives of martyrs – The main duties of the citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic –
SECTION 6:
ECONOMY……………………………………………………………………………………………….25
The domination by imperialism and the monopolies cannot be permitted –
In rural areas the domination by the clan leaders will be terminated –
SECTION 7:
LEGISLATION………………………………………………………………………………………..27
SECTION 8:
ADMINISTRATION……………………………………………………………………………………29
SECTION 9:
LOCAL COUNCILS……………………………………………………………………………………31
SECTION 10:
JUSTICE AND JUDGEMENT……………………………………………………………………..33
SECTION 11:
NATIONAL DEFENCE AND INTERNAL SECURITY;
PEOPLE’S ARMY AND POLICE………………………………………………………………….35
SECTION 12:
TEMPORARY DECREES……………………………………………………………………………37
PROLOGUE
We submit the blueprint of the PEOPLE’S CONSTITUTION for consideration by the people, which is designed as the constitution of a Democratic People’s Republic, and which we consider to be a great step forward in the centuries long struggle of our peoples fo r independence and democracy, and our way of taking part in uniting the people who consist of different nationalities, beliefs and occupations.
WORKERS, CIVIL SERVANTS, PEASANTS, TRADESMEN, STUDENTS, THE UNEMPLOYED, RETIRED PERSONS, DOCTORS, ENGINEERS, PRACTITIONERS OF LAW; Our people from all occupations who use their brainpower and labour to develop this country; WOMEN, MEN,YOUTH, PENSIONERS, CHILDREN; Our people, no matter what their age and sex is; TURKISH, KURDISH, LAZ, ARAB, GEORGIAN, CIRCASSIAN, BOSNIAN; Our people, no matter what their origin; SUNNI, SHI’A, NON-ISLAMIC; Our people, no matter what their beliefs are, We are living in a country where; the rulers measure the success of their rule by the number of youths they have murdered; achieving notoriety abroad through drug smuggling, and at home through engaging in counter-guerrilla activities; the rulers, from top to bottom, are corrupt; record-breaking violations of human rights in shape and form; villages are burned down; our national and human honour is trampled upon; our languages, thoughts, papers and books are banned; millions of our people are left unemployed; our homes are destroyed; vicious exploitation takes place; differences in income increase with every day that passes.
Everyone realised after the Susurluk scandal that those who ruled this country for years are bosses, clan leaders, mafia mobsters, drug smugglers and fascist murderers who are established in parliament, the military and the police force. Everyone realised that the ones who want the people to make sacrifices in the name of “peace and stability!” and to increase the cost of living, are the mobsters exposed by Susurluk, who are carrying out massacres for their so-called “homeland and nation”. All this is being done for their benefit and the maintenance of this immoral regime.
And again, everyone realised that the strings of the mobsters exposed by Susurluk lead to the MGK (National Security Council), the parliament and all sorts of places. The state is Susurluk. It is being realised that we live in a country which is led by mob sters.
WE HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO A SITUATION WHERE THE PEOPLE OF A COUNTRY ARE GOVERNED BY COUNTER-GUERRILLA MOBS BUT NOT PARLIAMENT.
However, this is not our wish or choice. We want to be the people of an independent, democratic, free and honourable country. Not this.
IF,THIS IS ALSO WHAT YOU WANT, YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO OUR CALL.
OUR CALL is for an independent country.
OUR CALL is for a democratic country.
OUR CALL is for a free country.
OUR CALL is for the rights of people from all nationalities, minorities and beliefs.
We announce our call by concretizing it with this blueprint of the constitution. This constitution is a constitution which is based on INDEPENDENCE, DEMOCRACY, RIGHTS FOR THE NATIONALITIES and FREEDOM FOR ALL PEOPLES.
To have this constitution and to struggle for this constitution means to struggle for an independent and democratic country.
WHY A NEW AND DIFFERENT CONSTITUTION?
We find it necessary to mention the hundreds or even thousands of problems that we live with daily or witness in our streets, in our workplaces, on our televisions. In fact, we know all these. Because we confront them ourselves. The main ones being that;
we live with the difficulties of making a living and suffering from poverty;
we live with unemployment;
health, education, accommodation are our problems, not those of the monopolist bourgeoisie or the bosses. The education of our children is a problem for us and we have to face the economic obligations it imposes. No matter how hard we work, we cannot solve these problems. We face forced migration. In the public squares we are beaten by police. Our sons and daughters are massacred on the mountains and in the streets or put in jail. Our villages are burned down. We lose our homes. Our songs are banned. Our la nguages are banned. Our political and religious beliefs are being looked down on or slandered. Inflation and excessive price rises are making us suffer. Our small tradesmen suffer, not the monopolies or supermarkets. We are all being cheated, and promises made to us are being reneged on.
The present regime and the previous governments, have not found a solution to our problems over the past 75 years. Today is the same. Neither the present government nor the opposition parties can be the solution. They will not be the solution. They cannot be the solution.
They have been ruling the country for decades. What they have done so far is obvious. There are only blood, teardrops and poverty in the picture they have drawn.
The rulers of the country are, at the same time, the creators of all our problems. It is obvious now and from this point in time, we cannot hope to obtain any solution for our problems from the parties in the parliament or parliament itself. THESE CANNOT S OLVE OUR PROBLEMS.
None of our problems can be solved by the parties that were set up in line with the 1982 constitution, which was prepared by the September 12th military junta. Neither the mechanisms for legislation, and the administration which were put in place by the sa me constitution is a solution. The state set up by the 1982 constitution cannot be a solution.
WHO CAN PREPARE THE CONSTITUTION TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS AND HOW?
LET US, THIS TIME, PREPARE OUR OWN CONSTITUTION. Since the beginning of the Republic of Turkey, four constitutions have been in force to rule the country. Dozens of times, parts of these constitutions were changed. None of them were prepared by us – the pe ople. The ruling class, the bourgeoisie, prepared them all. Together we live within this doctrine. We are the ones who bear witness and suffer because of the things they have done.
Our problems were deepened with every new constitution. The oppression upon us got worse. They said the constitution is too loose for the people and so they made it tighter. Then they said it is too tight and ripped it up. As a result, we could not have a constitution which suited us. Because we were not the ones who designed these constitutions. None of the alterations were made in accordance with our demands. Let us prepare the constitution ourselves, to rule ourselves.
Of course, it is important just to write a suitable constitution but as it is, this will not be good enough. A constitution only on paper cannot be a solution. We have to struggle for our constitution. With our struggle, we have to create suitable conditio ns to enforce the constitution.
The rulers of our country will, of course, not accept the blueprint for a people’s constitution which is being offered to the people to be examined. Because in this constitution we foresee the rule by the people, not by the rulers.
This constitution is in the interests of the majority. All guarantees in it are for the people. That is why the organizations of this regime which is based on exploitation will not establish a constitution like this. They will not give it to us. We have to know how to take it for ourselves.
In the parliament or by elections we cannot make them accept a constitution like this. None of the parties will accept it. Look at the world and remember history. People only took what they needed through struggle. In the uprisings, extending from the time of Seyh Bedreddin to today, the blood of the Anatolian people was spilled in the fight for rights, justice and to end the reign of tyrants. We gained our independence by fighting against imperialist occupation. But later, we could not keep our independenc e and freedom safe. Our blood is spilled in warfare and with every new legislation, they put our lives in jeopardy. Neither the sultans, nor the single-party system of CHP ( Republican People’s Party) , nor DP ( Democrat Party) and others gave anything to the people voluntarily. The people resisted, rebelled, conquered the streets and got what they wanted by being organized and brave.
OUR CALL IS FOR OUR PEOPLE!
The people is everyone;- workers, poor and middle-class peasants, small urban/rural producers, the civil servants, tradesmen, students, artists, intellectuals, pensioners, the unemployed – who respects the national values; who wants an independent country and free people; who is against the present regime, imperialism, monopolies, exploitation and tyranny. An independent and democratic country can only be established by the people. Because only an independent and democratic country can serve them. We have t o be in power to make our wishes come true and to solve our problems with the abilities of our people and the opportunities of our country. If the bosses are in power, of course, the state and legislation will work for them. But if the people is in power, everything will be for the people. That is why our whole struggle must be for our sovereignty. This must be the priority target we aim at. If we cannot reach it, our problems will not be completely solved and one way or other, we shall not be free of the r egime of exploitation and tyranny.
WE ARE THE PEOPLE.
IF WE WISH FOR SOMETHING WE WILL GET IT, IF WE WISH FOR IT WE WILL ACHIEVE IT!
We are the real owners of this country. The values of this country are ours. The producer and the creator is the people. The power of people is based on struggle and organization in unity. There is nothing more powerful than organized people who can make d ecisions in every area and join the debates to produce ideas and solutions. This power can do anything if it so wishes and can take anything if it so wishes.
INTELLECTUALS; ARTISTS, UNIVERSITIES AND TEACHERS; BODY OF LAWYERS; THE PROFESSIONAL BOARDS; UNIONS OF THE WORKERS AND CIVIL SERVANTS; DEMOCRATIC MASS ORGANIZATIONS; PROGRESSIVE AND DEMOCRATIC ALL POLITICAL MOVEMENTS; ORGANIZED/NON-ORGANIZED FORCES OF THIS COUNTRY !
In particular, it is your responsibility to discuss this constitution, to form and to make it the property of the people as a priority. If, the meaning of being intellectual, professional and political is to feel responsibility and insist upon bringing pro gress to the people; this constitution is one of the tools to make progress possible.
This blueprint of the constitution, described as the People’s Constitution, does not claim to be excellent. It can be reshaped again and again for the needs of the different sections of the people. The main thing is to accept the demands in it. When it is accepted, for the first time, a constitution will be discussed by the people.
Let us discuss and make people discuss the constitution in the district parliaments, trade unions, boards, organizations, body of lawyers, workplaces, cafes and all associations and foundations – to provide a way for people to decide their future.
This country is for the people who live in it. To live in peace is only possible when everyone – all nations, nationalities or people who have different beliefs – have the right to exist. By discussing and struggling together for the rightful demands of al l sections of the people, we can make living in freedom and brotherhood into a reality.
We never thought and we do not think of this constitution as an academic work or an article which will stay on paper. We aim to give this constitution the mission to unite and move the masses of people towards the aims of independence, democracy and libera tion in the struggle for rights and freedom. We invite you to discuss, to own this blueprint and to provide the unity of the democratic forces around it and together to take the aims and the demands of independence, democracy and the power of the people to the masses of the people.
THE PLATFORM FOR RIGHTS AND FREEDOM
THE BLUEPRINT OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC
THE ESSENCE AND THE MEANING OF THE CONSTITUTION:
This constitution is a means of;
ensuring that all people who belong to different nationalities and minorities sharing their lands for centuries shall live in brotherhood;
Enabling them to live together decently and freely;
Giving value to labour and the proletariat. Seeing the interests, independence and freedom of the people as the reason for its own existence;
Originating from the people, people’s demands and interests, historical facts and people’s struggle continuing over centuries since the time of the Ottoman Empire.
The foundation stone of this constitution is liberation, democracy and sovereignty for the people.
None of the changes in the constitution, laws or decrees made according to the constitution can be against the independence of the country and the free will of the people.
Constitutions and laws are not immutable. The main principle is the interests of the people, not the laws. To make changes in both the constitution and the laws, in the direction of;
– the interests and the changing necessities of the people,
– improving independence and democracy,
– ensuring the laws remain compatible with economic, political and social progress,
– reducing to a minimum the differences between the classes of society,
eventually, attaining a more equal, freer system is the prerequisite of this constitution.
Our people have paid heavily and still do, in order to have the independence and democracy which is what this constitution means. This constitution is being drawn up because of these deprivations. Any kind of interference with the power, independence, demo cracy and the common interests of the people will be a violation of this constitution. The people have gained them by bearing a heavy price, they have the right to defend it with the same determination.
It will be the people’s duty, for their children who will inherit the country, for the martyrs who struggled for independence and democracy and for the future of the people and humanity.
The constitution of popular sovereignty is not like the bourgeois regime which consists only of promises.
The sovereignty of the people legalizes the aims that can be reached and applied.
That is why the duty of the people and the sovereignty of the people is to create the legal, economic, political and social conditions to make the laws of the constitution applicable.
The only constitutions that are good and useful are those that allow the rights and liberties to be more than a dead letter.
This is the essence and the aim of this constitution.
SECTION 1 : THE STATE AND THE POWER ARE FOR PEOPLE
– The characteristics of the state and power
Decree 1– The state is a multi-national Democratic People’s Republic (DPR).
The Democratic People’s Republic is a people-oriented state being free, independent and democratic.
The DPR consists of the voluntary unity of the different minorities and nationalities of Turkish and Kurdish background, and also Arab, Laz, Georgian, Circassian, Bosnian etc.
WHY? Because our country is like a mosaic of different nationalities and origins. These peoples were never enemies with each other, they lived in brotherhood – except for a couple of incidents – in spite of “the divide-and- rule” policies and attempts of t he ruling classes for centuries to incite hatred between the nationalities.
The rulers in our country, on the other hand, enforced a chauvinist identity with the assimilation policies over the people consisting of several nationalities for decades, and tried to prevent the identity, honour and freedom struggle of the people by for ce and by prosecute an unjust war.
The DPR aims to stop the assimilation and all kinds of oppression and convert the historic brotherhood and togetherness of our peoples into a free, voluntary union. When union is not voluntary, there is always oppression and tyranny. Free and voluntary uni on is the energy and the richness of the DPR.
Decree 2– The government of the DPR is the democratic government of entire classes and sections of the people, except imperialism and the collaborationist colonialist classes.
These classes and sections of the people from Turkish, Kurdish and other nationalities are mainly: working class; poor and middle-class peasants; rural/urban small-scale producers; tradesmen; artisans; civil servants; students; intellectuals and everyone w ho – respects the national values, wants an independent country and free people and is against exploitation, tyranny, imperialism and the monopolies.
WHY? Because, imperialism and the oligarchic regime of our country which consists of the monopolist bourgeoisie, leaders of the clans and usury merchants are the causes of the current oppression and exploitation. Imperialism and the monopolies are colonial ist, and this is the characteristic of their class. People cannot give a colonialist power the opportunity to rule. The government consists of classes and sections except for imperialism and oligarchy.
An opportunity cannot be given to those who cheated people for decades in every election, and turned the elections into a carnival of liars. It is against the reason of the foundation and essence of the DPR to change democracy into a game and elections to carnivals or platforms for liars.
SECTION 2: THE NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE WORLD’S PEOPLES ARE THE INDISPENSABLE PRINCIPLES OF THE REPUBLIC
– International Relations and Independence –
Decree 3- All kind of political, economic and social dependency relations with imperialism will be ended and the independence of our country will cover every area.
The real and only owner of the riches and resources on and under the soil of our country is the people. Liberties cannot be given to imperialists in our country.
Decree 4- In the international relations and foreign affairs, the DPR is in solidarity with the countries ruled by the anti-imperialist governments, the national liberation movements and the progressive movements in capitalist countries and an implacable d efender of the brotherhood of peoples.
Decree 5- International economic relations serve the development of our country. No international agreements can be made which will harm independence.
It is the principle of the DPR to be open in the policies of foreign affairs. All the economic, political and military agreements signed with other countries will be open to the public.
Decree 6- Dependency on and membership in imperialist foundations like the IMF, World Bank and OECD will be cancelled and further indebtedness and dependency on imperialism will cease.
Decree 7- Membership of treaties and agreements whose purpose is aggression – this mainly applies to NATO – will be terminated, and the imperialist military bases on our land will be closed down.
Decree 8- All kinds of aggressive policies threatening peace at home and abroad and making people enemies of each other will be abandoned. A policy to develop the brotherhood, friendship and solidarity of the peoples will be set in motion.
Relations with all countries, especially neighbouring countries, will be based firstly on respect and friendship, and improved on the basis of national interests and equality.
Decree 9- Hostile approaches inciting hatred between the people of Turkey and Greece will be halted, and living in peace and friendship will be the foundation stone of our policy.
Decree 10- An independent and democratic Cyprus, where Turkish and Greek people live together in brotherhood, will be supported. The Cyprus problem will be resolved on the basis of self-determination of the island’s people.
Decree 11- The DPR will oppose all aggressive policies threatening the peace of the world’s nations, and will be in solidarity with oppressed people against their aggressor.
WHY? Because, for the last 50 years Turkish foreign policy has been based upon degradation and a lack of respect. Our country has been brought to a position of dependency on imperialism economically, militarily and politically. The political parties of thi s regime need the blessing of the US president to stay in power. As a result of the dependency upon imperialism, our agricultural and mineral/fuel resources were plundered by imperialist monopolies, our land was occupied by military bases, our sons killed in the Korean War in the interests of imperialism. The representatives of the Turkish Republic at the UN voted against the independence of other peoples.
The unequal and undeviating relationship with imperialism is a one-way route to economic, social and political exploitation and tyranny.
Democracy cannot be thought of as being separate from independence. The independence of the country forms the basis of democracy.
It is essential to take the actions stated above, to situate democracy at its base, to be independent and protect the national dignity.
SECTION 3: THE RIGHT OF FREE SPEECH AND DECISION-MAKING BELONG TO THE PEOPLE
– Democracy and the participation of people in government –
Decree 12- The people rule in the DPR. The participation of people in government cannot be restricted to elections taking place every four years. People can use the right and the authority to participate in government continuously at every level. All legal and administrative regulations are based on this.
Decree 13- The main form and institution of the participation of people in government is through the parliaments. In the DPR, people will use the rights of free speech and decision-making directly through the parliaments. People elect, control and remove t heir representatives, this is the principle of the people’s parliaments. People participate in the processes of decision-making, applying and controlling administrative, economic and political matters by being organized in local, territorial and occupation al parliaments.
Decree 14- The participation of people in government will be through;
the general people’s parliament, territorial parliament, the parliaments of cities, boroughs, towns, villages, districts,
the parliaments of workers , peasants, youths, tradesmen, state officials, soldiers, intellectuals-artists, law practitioners, architects, engineers etc.
and other classes and sections of the people will be able to use their rights of free speech and decision-making by participating in social, occupational, trade unionist organizations and political parties.
Decree 15- The political parties can be founded without any permission, and begin to operate freely by declaring their manifestos to the official institutions and popular opinion. In order to participate in determining policies in a democratic way, every c itizen has the right to found a political party, be a member of the existing parties and terminate his/her membership. The regulations, manifesto and activities of the political parties should not violate democracy, the national independence and the princi ples of the constitution of the DPR.
Decree 16- People have the right to remove elected representatives at every level of organizations in cases of: failing the perform their duties effectively, failing to represent the sections of the electorate who voted the person into power, commiting pol itical and moral crimes against the people and the power of the people. The ability to remove representatives is an unrelenting provision of a democratic government. The necessary conditions to withdraw the representative, in cases of the above-mentioned c rimes, is the decision of the majority of the voters whose percentage will be defined by the law.
WHY? Because for decades the power of bourgeois parties turned the elections into the races to make promises. Had they been successful and fulfilled half or even one-tenth of their promises made during the election campaigns, and implemented rights and lib erties implemented properly, people would not have any problems at all. Poverty would be demolished. But, unfortunately, the last 50 years of our history, under the rule of various parties, are full of deception and mockery, and in spite of the assurances given in the elections, people faced nothing but bloodbaths and poverty.
The proof and application of democracy cannot be the votes once in every 4-5 years. Democracy is defined in the science of politics as the participation of people in power. The applications in our country, for decades, have not been democratic. They were b ut a game to cover up the dictatorship of a minority over the people. The DPR will end this game and will be the practitioner of real democracy. The main and only form of this is the direct participation of the people in power. Within these boundaries, wit hout the rights of free speech and free political affiliation, there can be no mention of democracy.
The DPR makes it possible for people to use their right of decision-making by encouraging and guaranteeing the rights of free speech and participation in organisations through various ways.
Our people know very well that, the representatives ( MPs) forget their voters as soon as they are elected, forget promises given and obey the leader of their party without regret and accountability. In the People’s Republic, as a way to complete democracy , the electors will have the right to control, sack and remove the MPs on a continuous basis. The greatest guarantor of democracy and independence is through the discussion and participation of the people in decision-making at every level.
Decree 17- The DPR aims to minimize bureaucracy, enabling the people to use their right of participation in power directly. All existing bureaucratic institutions will be open to the control of people’s organisations.
WHY? Because bureaucracy is nothing but a body formed as a result of the distance and alienation between the people and the power (government). This bulky and oppressive body is borne by the people. The only way to be rid of it is, by the people having the ability to elect, control and remove the personnel regardless of being a judge, councillor or anybody within the mechanisms of state. This will prevent the corruption, indolence and the arbitrary (discretionary) and oppressive application of power against the people.
SECTION 4: EVERY NATION HAS THE RIGHT OF SELF-DETERMINATION AND ITS USE CANNOT BE PREVENTED
– The right of self-determination of nations and solution for the Kurdish question –
Decree 18- The DPR is the unconditional defender of the right of self-determination of nations and obligate itself to create the conditions needed to use this right. The sources of national oppression are imperialists and local (domestic, indigenous) colla borationist classes. The state’s essence was laid bare by Susurluk. The power of people will destroy the source of national oppression by the taking of power from imperialists and collaborationists.
Decree 19- The DPR guarantees the right of self-determination, including the right of separation of the Kurdish people, according to the principles of self-determination of nations.
The DPR will abolish all institutions and practices such as: “states of emergency“, government’s armed village guards, annexation and assimilation of Kurdistan by Turkey, and take the necessary action for the economic, social and cultural development of th e Kurdish people. The development of Kurdistan will be a priority to eliminate the inequality which has arisen out of the previous system.
Decree 20- The DPR prefers the unity of the nations under a single state, bearing in mind the right of self-determination of nations, rather than separate independent states. To share natural resources and to be a united economic, politic and military powe r against imperialism is in the common interests of both nations.
Decree 21- The nations and national minorities comprising the DPR share the power and management of the republic. None of the nations is “primary” or “secondary”. The union of peoples cannot be secured by just giving them some of the rights or leaving the decision or initiative to a nation to decide about the rights of other nations.
The nations or national minorities comprising the republic share the management in every area such as; economic, political, military, social, cultural etc. and this is the principle of the DPR.
Decree 22- The DPR guarantees the national, social and cultural rights of nations and national minorities comprising the republic, and in order to protect and develop their languages and cultures, creates the appropriate conditions and opportunities.
WHY? Because,the governments- who created the “Kurdish question” ,did not find a solution. For years they massacred the people who wanted a solution, and as a consequence, made our country and people suffer. The resources of our country were used to contin ue these massacres for decades. The benefits of this policy were shared by monopolies, bourgeois and also clan leaders, while the people suffered massacres and poverty. The DPR will solve this problem absolutely. The freedom of the people is one of the vit al conditions of independence and democracy.
Real independence and democracy are possible under the conditions of freedom and self-determination of people. The right of separation should not frighten anybody. The ones who converted our country to a “bloodbath” used ‘separatism’ as an excuse for years , but on the other hand, they were the real ‘separatists’.
When the rights of indigenous language and self-determination are not given to the nations, rebellion is unavoidable and it becomes their right. There should be recognition of a nation’s needs. This is the only way to live in brotherhood. “Right of separat ion” does not mean a definite separation. Free peoples will prefer to live together. If they do not wish to do this, they would be using their natural rights.
There is a reality which is proven by history; “nations oppressing other nations cannot themselves be free!”
For the sake of their own liberties, the nations of the DPR recognise the rights and liberties of all nations.
During the governments of colonialists and despots ( i.e. the governments of the DYP, ANAP, CHP, MHP, RP and others), our people lost thousands of their sons and daughters. It is not possible to bring them back. The only consolation for their loss is the f reedom of all nations comprising the DPR. To recognise the rights of nations is a moral and political duty for all nations.
SECTION 5: BASIC RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES ARE IMPERATIVE CONDITIONS OF REAL DEMOCRACY
– Rights and Liberties –
Decree 23- All individuals – each a personality in their own right – have untouchable and untransferable basic human rights and liberties.
Decree 24- The state abolishes all political, economic and social obstructions that limit the basic rights and liberties of individuals and as such, are not compatible with the principles of social justice and law, and it creates the necessary conditions t o develop individuals both physically and mentally.
WHY? Because, democracy always became a demagogic tool for the governments. But in reality, they were the ones obstructing democracy. This is very normal. Because the system is anti-democratic anyway. Oppression and terror directly arise from this regime. This cannot be accepted from a state and governments trying hard to keep such a state alive, for this is incompatible with a democratic system. That is why people will make their own constitution, establish a state to serve the people and secure their righ ts and liberties through struggle.
It is obvious that there can never be rights and liberties in a country which is not independent and where the people are not represented. Only a democratic and independent republic organised to serve the people can provide these conditions. The historical duty and mission of the DPR is to succeed in this.
Decree 25- Right to Live
Every individual has the right to live.
The right to live can only be restricted in cases of treason and crimes against humanity.
Decree 26- Torture is a crime against humanity
No person can be treated with torture or cruelty (ill-treatment) and punished in an inhuman or humiliating way .
Decree 27- Individuals have the right of immunity regardless of being a “suspect”.
a) The individual who is in custody, is informed immediately of the reason/s why he/she was arrested.
b) Any person sentenced, has the right to appeal to the Higher People’s Court.
c) A suspect is not a criminal until he or she has been proved completely guilty.
d) No person can be accused of an action which was not classified as a crime by law at the time of the action. After the commitment of crime, if there is a legal reduction in punishment, the criminal can take advantage of it.
Decree 28- No person’s private life, family, home and communication can interfered arbitrarily or illegally. No individual’s personality and pride can come under attack.
Decree 29- Freedom of belief
a) Religious belief is a personal matter. Everyone has the right to religious beliefs, and freedom not to believe also.
b) As a guarantee of freedom of belief, sanctuaries and worshippers will be protected. The necessary number of social security benefits for the personnel of the sanctuaries will be provided.
c) No person can be oppressed or condemned because of his/her religious beliefs or lack of them.
d) Using the peoples’ religious beliefs to found a theocratic, reactionary and colonialist state cannot be allowed.
WHY? Because beliefs are the parts of a culture which are kept alive by people for decades. Being human can only be defined as thoughts and beliefs and that is why it is necessary to classify the religious beliefs of people as principally important rights and liberties, unless they damage the interests of people, serve a particular imperialist and reactionary country or colonialist classes and are converted into a physical and moral implement for exploitation.
On the basis of this understanding, the DPR will solve the artificial problems raised by the ruling classes , i.e. the “turban “problem, by protecting the liberties and privacy of people’s beliefs and lifestyle.Conversely, the political and economic usage of religious beliefs as an implement for reactionary, fascist, colonialist and despotic systems will not be allowed.
Decree 30- Freedom of Thoughts and Press
a) Unless it is against the constitution and common interests of people, every citizen has the right to declare and broadcast his/her thoughts by using any kind of medium, and get information from public sources without censorship.
b) Everyone has right to learn, teach, declare, publish and do research in science and art freely. The DPR supports and encourages scientific research.
c) Every citizen, unless it is against the interests and constitution, has a right to print, publish and distribute periodic or non-periodic publications. The communication networks, i.e. press, radio and television are under the management and control of people and their organised forces.
d) Media activities, publishers, paper stocks, transportation vehicles and other financial necessities for organising the people’s forces are provided by the state.
WHY? Because, in the regimes a small minority exploits the majority of people, and oppresses them in order to continue the exploitation. The ruling classes ban thoughts and reveal these thoughts to prevent the people seeing the reality and becoming aware a nd therefore knowledgable.
These oppressions took place in a variety of ways; applying censorship, collecting and destroying books, newspapers, magazines, shutting down publishers, raiding the media bureaus and thereby violating their own rules, arresting, torturing and murdering jo urnalists.
Our people consist of different classes and sections, each of them show differences in their interests, ideology and culture. Consequently, they will have different thoughts. The DPR guarantees all principles. The thoughts, interests, demands, ideology and culture of the classes and sections of people and will have exposure to these thoughts through the media.
In the interests of people and humanitarian values, the DPR finds it necessary to stop fascist and chauvinist propaganda which incites the hatred between peoples, encourages corruption and degeneration, and for a decade, made people of the world live in wa r and brutality, proving its character as a public enemy.
The DPR sees it as a duty to struggle against these kind of thoughts through legal, ideological and cultural ways.
Decree 31- Racism is an offence against humanity
a) No person can be outcast, insulted,oppressed or privileged because of his/her race and nationality.
b) None of the racist, chavinist, invader institutions and activities which incite the hatred between peoples and aim to distort national values through degeneration are allowed.
Decree 32- Freedom to participate in organisations
a) The working class and peasants,the public servants (state officials), small-scale tradesmen, women, youth have the freedom to participate in occupational, cultural, political and social organisations.
The state supports and encourages the people’s forces to use their freedom to participate in organisations.
b) Rights and liberties to participate in organisations covers all state officials (public servants), including military personnel and police, in parliaments, unions and every level.
c) Everyone has the right to organise and participate in peaceful meetings and demonstration marches without any permission. Financial and other support, i.e. building, area, transportation vehicles etc are provided for the meetings and demonstration march es, for the benefit of the people.
WHY? Because freedom on its own has no meaning unless providing the freedom to participate in organisations and organising public demonstrations. Disorganised classes and sections will not be able to use their right of free speech and decision-making. Tha t is why these liberties are secured by the DPR as the culmination of freedom of thought. The DPR will not let these liberties be a dead letter in practice.
If this is not done, as happens today, the police will attack the legal/illegal public demonstrations, carry out massacres during mass political protests, raid and shut down the unions and associations. The political landscape of our country will not chang e. The DPR exists to change this landscape.
Decree 33- Women, family and children
a) By providing the economic freedom of the individual within THE family, the material environment for changing the reactionary and patriarchal relations based upon financial interests will be ensured in the institution of the family.
b) At every level, economic, political, social, cultural, etc in all areas, men and women are equal.
c) All efforts are taken to encourage womens’ participation in the organisations and management of state, to gain consciousness and be active at every level.
d) To use women as a commercial implement or merchandise because of sexuality is not allowed.
e) Official or not, no brothels can operate. In order to abolish the cause of prostitution, the necessary economic and social precautions are taken.
f) By keeping in mind the social importance of motherhood and child care, it is the state’s duty to establish day nurseries and child care centres.
g) It is not allowed to compel pregnant women to work until full term. Working women on maternity leave are paid.
h) Children cannot be employed as workers. The use of child labour is forbidden.Children of school age cannot be employed.
i) By keeping in mind the inheritors of the future, all opportunities are provided for youths who are the architects of the future’s society, to help them be healthy, productive and patriotic.
Decree 34- Every labourer has security of employment, to make a living and participate in trade unions; all necessary legislation concerning working life are made by the workers’ parliaments.
a) Employment is the right of every citizen. This right is under the protection of the state.
b) To provide the economic and social development of labourers, a salary policy is secured by the state.
c) Every labourer has the right to rest. The conditions are provided to fund holiday opportunities and minimize working hours according to the situation of the day and difficulty of the job.
d) To strike is a right. Lockouts are prohibited.
e) In rural and urban areas, necessary help is provided to develop the social, economic and political organisations of labourers, i.e. parliaments, trade unions etc. Labourers, peasants, public servants (state officials) and tradesmen have the right to dec ision-making and the freedom to express their views on their own or national/international matters. “A political prohibition” cannot be used against labourers and their organisations.
f) All legislation regarding ethics are arranged with the participation of labourers’ parliaments.
g) State officials (public servants) have the right of free speech and decision-making at every level through their parliaments.
h) Disabled and retired persons will not be downgraded in value and their rights will be secured; In the DPR, disabled persons and labourers losing the ability to work due to accidents, retirement, sickness etc. are supported by helping them to lead a norm al life.
Because the previous regime classified the old, disabled and retired people as “useless”, and devalued their efforts by casting them out because of the greed of bosses to get more profit out of workpower.
The DPR takes it as a duty to create an environment where retired persons are treated respectfully for their services and are in a comfortable position financially, and the disabled can participate in active social life.
i) The provision of jobs and social security for all working forces will be secured through the foundation of necessary institutions.
j) An unemployed person who wants to work but could not be successful in finding a job will receive unemployement benefit according to the social security scheme.
k) Small-scale producers are supported with credits, production implements and a base-price policy for their yields. They are encouraged to organise in co-operatives.
l) The DPR makes efforts to solve the problems of the workers abroad; their dignity is protected against the abusive attacks and they are supported by all means, i.e. economically, politically, socially etc.
In order to help them to keep their national and traditional values, the necessary institutions are founded and an active and widespread policy is enforced.
WHY? Because production is a social and collective activity. The creators are labourers.It is the right of productive workers to participate in the planning, distribution and partition of what is produced. Every DPR citizen has the right of employment, par ticipation in organisations in their workplaces and free speech and decision-making in every stage of the production process. The production workers and their relations are the majority of our population and that is why they cannot be out of the management of our country. Otherwise, the building of democracy cannot be accomplished. A democratic country and government pays respect to the efforts of workers.
It is the duty of the DPR to provide these essentials – democratic regulations in working life – no matter what the conditions are. Unemployment is not a destiny for millions of people. No-one can be left alone without job security.
The DPR will change the so-called destiny of all workers who is forced to work as slaves, is in constant fear of losing a job and dying or becoming disabled in a workplace accidents. This is one of the fundamental aims of the DPR.
Decree 35- Education and science are for the people
a) Syllabuses of education will be reconstructed in a way that, the youth who is alienated from his/her national and traditional values and culture, will regain these values, and education will serve for the development of our country and expanding the nat ional treasury. The DPR understands the system of education, as having socialist, patriotic, progressive, scientific and in mental, physical and technical dimensions.
b) The state secures the right of being educated for all citizens. Primary and secondary level education is compulsory for every citizen.
c) Education is the duty of the state. All private universities and the ones which are founded by holdings, companies or foundations will be shut down and private and priviliged education will not be allowed.
d) Education is free at every level. There will be no registration fees or expenditures. The state will provide accomodation (dormitories), food, educational tools etc and other necessities for students.
e) The DPR facilitates literacy and prevents restrictions on scope in education by providing people with education at multi-dimensional levels.
f) The conditions for higher education are provided for everyone.
g) In every school, fascist, reactionary, chauvinist syllabuses in education will be wiped out and for the benefit of people, they are rearranged on an independent and democratic basis to develop the creativity and productivity of people .
h) Universities are organised as democratic institutions to serve the people.
i) Children of workers and peasants are given priority in education, by founding People’s Universities.
j) YOK (Council of Higher Education) and similar institutions will be eliminated and universities will be reorganised as democratic institutions. The personnel and equipment will be supplied for a better education.
All academic posts granted by YOK will be submitted to scrutiny.
k) Universities are directed by University Councils consisting of students, academics, personnel and the representatives of people’s parliament. In the democratization of universities, the maximum participation of students is essential, as well as academic s and personnel. The security of universities will be provided by students’ parliaments.
WHY? Because it is obvious that, a new generation cannot carry the country forward where the education is depraved, chauvinist and reactionary. High schools and universities are transformed into military barracks. This is exactly what the rulers wanted. Th ese policies were intensified since the September 12th, 1980 military junta, when the youth wer described as “distrusted” and “suspects”. Instead of providing scientific development, solving peoples’ problems and wiping out inequalities; the concept of edu cation was to encourage the growth of qualified personnel for the benefit of monopolies and to shape an apolitical generation to obey the regime.The system was made far from being scientific. The scientific and administrative initiatives of the universitie s were abolished. They were ruled by oppressive policies and directives of the governments.
The structure of education – from bottom to top – has to be changed. The decomposition in education cannot be cured without a radical operation. Healthy minds cannot be grown. The DPR has to reorganise science and education, from the beginning, to cover th e economic, social and cultural requirements of people for an indefinite period.
Decree 36- Health, Accommodation, Transport
a) Everyone has the right to live a healthy and secure life. The state provides all kinds of health services free of charge, since human life is valuable.
b) All hospitals and health centres will be organised under the management of local administrations, and hospitals will reach the minimum standards as personnel and instrumentation all over the country.
c) None of the health centres can be used as a place of trade. The primary targets of the health policy to achieve, are; extending the protective health service to the furthest point in our country, protecting our medical industry against the domination of imperialist monopolies, reshaping medical education according to the conditions of our people and country, institutionalizing the presence of doctors in the workplaces and extending the medical institutions to all boroughs.
d) Everyone has the right to have a sanitary home. The state will use all its power to solve the accommodation problem.
It is the priority of the people’s government to make the shantytown houses strong and healthy, to make good the infrastructure deficiencies in shantytowns, i.e., road, water, electricity, health centres etc, and build housing estates to replace the houses that cannot be repaired.
e) No residences can be demolished without providing an alternative one.
f) No-one can keep an extra empty house. People have the right to occupy the houses which have been left empty for more than a year.
g) Transportation will be re-organised for the necessity and benefit of people. Mass transportation is the key solution in the development and re-organisation of this problem. Railways will be improved as well as the mass transportation in and out of the c ities, and the main part of the investments will be divided into these two sections. The tolls on the bridges and motorways will be demolished and the private companies in transportation will be nationalized. The care, restoration and servicing will be und er control of the state.
WHY? Because, infrastructure problems, like health, accommodation and transportation are the main problems of people. Every policy of the rulers did nothing but made the problems worse. The use by the state of institutions like sinecures and privatisation policies paralysed the state hospitals and health problems arose; the plundering, wrong base-price policies in rural areas and destructions of the villages created migration towards the cities and together with shantytowns an accommodation problem arose; o nly investing in motorways and private transportation to serve monopolies created the transportation problem.
The health and transportation sectors were at the service of the people who could effort them. The accommodation problem became like a gangrene, and the demolition of the shantytowns reached dramatic dimensions.
The DPR exists to solve the problems of people, not of monopolies. In order to solve the urgent problems of people, the DPR will direct financial resources to these problems.A life can be said to be human if it is a healthy one and has a roof over its head .
Decree 37- Culture and art
a) The primary duties of people’s government are; to stop the degeneration in the structure of our culture, develop the historical traditions and culture of our people and lead to extending the horizons of our cultural values.
All actions will be taken to abolish the uncaring, degenerate, individualist and consuming culture of imperialism and to construct a revolutionary and patriotic culture on the basis of people’s values and traditions.
b) The DPR, aims to implement economic and social regulations to abolish the moral degeneration, individualist ideology and culture and the crimes of theft and prostitution. Because cultural restoration is not possible without destroying the social base of moral degeneration.
c) The economic and political barriers in front of the development of thought, art and science are lifted and in the name of art, to encourage the degeneration, immorality and destruction of people’s traditional values is not allowed.
d) Artists are encouraged to participate in the intellectual-artist’s parliaments and the cultural centres are established with the support of people’s parliaments. The ministry of culture supports the associations, parliaments and co-operatives of artists .
e) The inheritance, traditional values, architectural and historical monuments and relics of Anatolia going back thousands of years are under protection and for the peoples’ use of people.The ancient monuments and valuables stolen by imperialists belong to the peoples of Anatolia. All efforts are to be spent to bring them back.
WHY? Because every day of our lives is under the influence of the distorted culture of capitalism. Our lives are under siege by the madness of consumerism, moral degeneration, prostitution, drug addiction, gambling, football fanaticism and so-called musici ans, actors, authors etc who recommend all these. The best values of our people are under threat from individualism and dreams of becoming wealthy without toil. The values of our people have been badly damaged. That is why the DPR aims to form a culture wh ich will recover the positive side of the traditions and values of our people, such as sharing, love, respect, co-operation, sacrifice, and restore the damage done, and lead to the protection of people from the effects of the degenerate culture of imperial ism and capitalism through the management and participation of parliaments in forming institutions and policies.
Decree 38- Environment
a) The industrial investments and projects, contaminating the natural environment and threatening the people’s health are not allowed. All factories, workshops etc. have to take efficient precautions to prevent pollution, i.e. filters, purification and sto rage of the residues.
b) In the production of consumer goods,it is encouraged to use the proper raw and packaging materials to prevent environmental pollution.
c) It is the duty of local administrations (councils) to deal with the problems of rubbish collection and sewage. Under no circumstances can the local councils leave people to live with rubbish. This matter is under the control of the relevant parliaments.
d) Special precautions are taken to protect the habitat.
WHY? Because an healthy life is only possible with an healthy environment. We all know that it is not possible to protect the habitat in a country where everything is arranged for the benefit of monopolies and plunderers’ rule. Plundering the coasts, destr oying the forests, polluting our seas, lakes and rivers, threatening people’s health with the poisonous products and residues of the factories were allowed and the massacre of environment took place with the sanction of governments for the benefit of a sma ll group of people. The DPR feels the responsibility to implement tough precautions against the environmental crimes. The habitat and territories of natural beauty belong to people, and no projects or investments can be a danger to people’s health.
Decree 39-SPORTS
The DPR, with the understanding of seeing sports and holidays as a natural right, builds its facilities to cover the sports, and holiday necessities of the people and do the necessary legal and administrative arrangements.
Sport is not a commercial matter. That is why sport will be provided to serve mental and physical health and the growth of people with the spirit of brotherhood and collective solidarity. By supporting the amateur sports, widespread sports units will be fo unded to give the people easy access to participate in sports. The conditions are organised for the masses to participate in sports, and not just the minority.
WHY? Because sport has become a wound for the country, rather than an implement to give dynamism to the masses. Sports, which have been focused on professional clubs, exist to earn money for the minority, and have become a tool for depoliticisation, and ha ve focused on making them unaware of the countries problems, causing the hostility of the masses towards each other. The number of lives taken by football fanaticism has proved the seriousness of the situation. The DPR aims to change the landscape with the ideas of brotherhood among the people, and physical education which is the essence of sport.
DECREE 40- RIGHT OF ASYLUM
The DPR, recognises the right of asylum for foreign nationals who have been oppressed because of participating in political movements, struggle and scientific activities, or nationals who have been oppressed because of their art by reactionary regimes, or revolutionaries, strugglers for national liberation, defenders of rights, etc.
DECREE 41- MARTYRS AND THE RELATIVES OF MARTYRS.
The DPR keeps alive the memory of those who became immortal in the struggle for the freedom of the people, and protects their legacy, such as determination, self-sacrifice, loyalty to the ideology and bravery, as values in the minds of the people.
The relatives, children of martyrs and veterans will be under the protection of the state, and all necessities for their life and education will be provided.
DECREE 42- THE MAIN DUTIES OF THE CITIZENS OF THE DPR
The main duty is to protect the interests of the people, the motherland and its institutions. This is sacred and is the proud duty of every citizen of the DPR.
SECTION 6: PRODUCTION, SHARING AND CONSUMPTION, SALARIES AND PRICES CAN BE ORGANISED ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE, NOT OF IMPERIALISM AND MONOPOLIES
-Economy-
DECREE 43-THE ECONOMIC DOMINATION OF IMPERIALISM AND MONOPOLIES CANNOT BE ALLOWED.
The DPR applies the economic and political policies which will develop the production forces and stop the economic domination of imperialism and oligarchy which are preventing the development of our country.
DECREE 44-
THE PRINCIPLE OF THE ECONOMIC POLICIES IS THE NEEDS AND BENEFITS OF OUR PEOPLE.
To achieve this principle , there must be nationalisation of all the monopolies which are owned by and are under the control of the oligarchy.
DECREE 45
In the DPR, trade and industry, the wealth from agriculture and farming, and all production units whether under the ground or on the surface will be under the common ownership of the people.
DECREE 46
The banks, seaports, airports, institutions of transportation and communication and electricity will be owned and controlled by the state.
DECREE 47
Production will be organised according to a planned economic policy which will provide the peoples’ welfare, economic and social rights.
There is no permission to turn property into a monopoly or a cartel.
The economy is developed on the basis of heavy industry to make the national economy complete and sufficient, agriculture is modernised to become part of the industry.The economy is planned so that it does not allow inflation to affect the living standards of the people, and that all necessary steps will be taken to prevent this.
Capitalism is an unplanned economy which is dependent on inflation, where the equilibrium between production and consumption is forced. The sources of our country are to be used carefully and a justified sharing system created, so that the conditions for i nflation and the necessity to increase prices will be demolished.
WHY? Because, the economy of our country has never been free from the directives and plunderers of imperialism since the beginnings of the republic. After 1950 the whole of the applied economic policies were planned in imperialist centres and were dictated to the governments of the country.
Our economy is dictated by the IMF, World Bank, etc. That is why the peoples’ share of this economy was always a tighter belt… a bitter pill.
Because the whole of the economic packages was devised to solve the problems of the international monopolies and their collaborationists like TUSIAD, and not the economic problems of the people.
Degistirmeliyiz mi? (A peoples’ republic which guards its independence against imperialism will of course not allow the IMF or the World Bank to interfere or decide the economy, no bad things can be stopped in a society where ferocious exploitation takes p lace. That is why the economy of the DPR will be managed with plans and programmes to abolish exploitation.)
In a society where the exploitation takes place in a very hard wy, it is impossible to stop the unfair and unjustice practises and oppression. That is why, the economy of DPR will be planned and managed to abolish he exploitation.
DECREE 48
A justified tax system according to the revenue level will be formed and that this revenue will be used for the peoples’ prosperity/welfare.
WHY? Because, the revenues are an income for the owners of the system of exploitation and theft. All existing tax regulations and types will be abolished, the rates of the taxes will be shared by considering the income differences between the employees and the employers, and there will be no indirect taxation on the basic essentials of the peoples’ needs. It will be targeted to minimise the taxation and, eventually to abolish the taxation of workers and replace it with a salary policy, taking into considera tion the economic, social and cultural necessities of the people.
DECREE 49
The economic and political sovereignty of the clan leaders and land owners in rural areas will be abolished.
DECREE 50
Widespread land and agriculture reforms will be implimented, the land will be distributed for the necessities of the peasants by considering their needs and the national quality of the land. These distributed lands cannot be bought, sold or transferred to others .
The lands of the landowners of the oligarchie regime will be nationalised, a wide land reform will be in practise and these lands will be distributed to the landless or poor peasants according to their needes and without destroying the national property of these lands. The distributed lands can not be sold or transferred.
DECREE 51
Agricultural institution and farms established as great agricultural units will be under the control of the agricultural workers and will be part of the planned economy. In the DPR, small- and medium-scale institutions which produce according to the planne d economy and the necessities of the people, will be able to work legally.
DECREE 52
In live stockbreeding, the breeders will be supported and their debts to the previous system will be cleared. They are encouraged to organise in collective units. If the poor peasants and small producers don’t get enough support, new landlords and usury me rchants will inevitably arise. The poor people will be obliged to take necessary actions and organize to stop this.
DECREE 53
It is a principle to pay the producers accordingly to the fixation of the base prices. The producers determine the base prices, workers and the People’s Institutions also have the right to free speech and decision-making.
DECREE 54
Peasants are encouraged to organize a collective production units on economic matters and are encouraged to be organised in peasant paliaments on political matters. Peasants have the right to use their free speech and decision-making rights through these i nstitutions.
DECREE 55
All the forests, seas, lakes and rivers belong to the people. The yields of these resources are shared by the people, and mainly by the locals. The security and welfare of these resources is the duty of the organized people.
SECTION 7 – LEGISLATION IN THE DPR IS FOR THE NECESSITIES, COMFORT AND SECURITY OF THE PEOPLE.
-Legislation-
DECREE 56
The General People’s Parliament is the highest office in the DPR. GPP consists of the representatives whom elected in the local and different sectional assemblies.
DECREE 57
The fundament of the formation of the legislative and admiistrative mechanisms in DPR is; To implement the command of people from bottom to top by using their rights of free speech and decision making in their assemblies in villages, boroughs, towns, citie s and regions. It means that, the people-workers, public servants, women, men, youngstrs, old pensioners-will enforce their commands in their assemblies which are formed for the benefits of people. A parliament, which is not under control of people for 4-5 years, can not be the tool and form of democracy. In DPR, the power of people takes place in this type of formation of legislative and administrative mechanism.
The General People’s Parliament is comprised of the elected representatives who are elected every four years in a general election.
DECREE 58
The half of the members of GPP consists of the representatives whom elected in regional assemblies according to the population of electors and the other half consists of the representatives of the assemblies ofworker, public servant, student, tradesmen, mi litary personnel, law practitioner, intellectual and artist.
The duty and authority of the General People’s Parliament are:
To change the constitution.
To make laws
To confirm the council of ministers, its programme and budget.
To ratify international treaties.
To elect the Council of the People’s Parliament.
To arrange the procedures for general partial or special amnesty.
To announce territorial or general ”War Situations”, a state of emergency and mobilization in order to defend the country and the constitutional system.
DECREE 59
The right of making constitutional suggestions belongs to the following institutions and individuals.
REPUBLIC MANAGEMENT COUNCIL DIRECTORATE, GOVERNMENT AND THE GENERAL PEOPLE’S PARLIAMENT MEMBERS.
Democratic mass organisations and parliaments, trade unions, associations, etc. which have a sufficient number of members, can elect a representative for the General People’s Parliament, considering a change in the nation. A group of voters which consists of sufficient people to elect a representative.
DECREE 60
The decision in the General People’s Parliament (GPP) can be taken by one member of half the representatives, all decisions, laws of the GPP will be debated by the people in the peoples’ organisations, except in emergency situations. The necessary conditio ns and time will be provided for the people to discuss and debate and state their opinions.
DECREE 61
None of these institutions can veto or cancel the decree of the GPP. The decisions of the GPP can only be vetoed once by the directorate so that they can be debated in the parliament and the peoples’ institutions.
In every level, the participation and confirmation of the organisations of people is taken as a base of GPP, during and at the end of the period of debating, decision and law making.
DECREE 62
The government can make the laws and regulations with the co-operation of the directorate. The regulations have to be presented in the first working day of the parliament. If the parliament refuses the law, the regulation is cancelled.
DECREE 63
All institutions like political parties, mass organisations, trade unions etc. which are founded according to the constitution can support or put up candidates at all levels in elections.
DECREE 64
Every citizen can elect and be elected. The minimum age to elect is 18 and to be elected is 20. The right to elect and be elected can be restricted in the cases of political activities such as founding a fascist regime and causing or allowing our country t o become dependent on imperialism again.
DECREE 65
The members of the GPP, according to the principles of the election, can be removed from their post if the majority of the electors object.
DECREE 66
The local people’s parliaments are the local governmental institutions which represent the people and have been elected as members.
DECREE 67
The GPP members representing any of the cities are at the same time natural members of the people’s parliament who are of the same city, they possess the equal right to vote.
WHY? Because democracy does not only state that citizens should only elect their representatives and transfer their rights of free speech and decision-making to their representatives, because the real managers are the people and the people should have the ability to use their authority and duty at every level, so the whole mechanism for legislation must be arranged for these purposes. It is only possible to make the laws suitable for peoples’ benefit and prevent the corruption of legislative bodies through the participation of people in the mechanisms and make them debate, suggest and make decisions if only legislation is arranged for this purpose so that the country becomes a country under the management of the people.
It is suggested that the age to vote should be 16, because it should be noted that the youth of this age have shown great courage and have struggled for their rights and country. One example of this is the Gazi Uprising, another reason being that with the age of technology our youth can see the reality of the world sooner. The people’s state wants to create a youth outside the bourgeoisie’s educational system and make the youth have responsibilities.
SECTION 8: THE MANAGEMENT IN THE DPR IS NOT OVER THE PEOPLE BUT IS THERE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE
-Management-
DECREE 68
The members of general, regional and local assemblies have no different immunities or privileges than people before the law. The legal laws and regulations of the republic are applied for all citizens.
The Republic’s President is choosen by the GPP
DECREE 69
In the DPR, the duty of management is done by the Republic’s Presidential Committee (RPC), The Committee of Ministers and related institutions.
DECREE 70
The Republic’s Presidential Committee (RPC), consists of the president, who is elected by the people in general elections, and two members of each of the parliaments of labour, state official, peasant, trader, student, occupational, intellectual – artist, militia and personnel.
DECREE 71
The Committee of Ministers is formed of the prime minister who is commissioned to form the government by the Republic’s Presidential Committee (RPC) and starts the duty with the approval of the GPP. The people’s government is responsible to the GPP.
DECREE 72
The duty and the authority of the RPC
a) To represent the state is the president’s duty.
b) To commission the Prime Minister to form the government.
c) When the legislation could not do its duties, to solve the problems and make decisions, the people are consulted and can call the GPP whenever it is necessary and call a meeting.
d) This authority can only once veto the laws made by the GPP. This authority can halt the regulations when they are against the government’s rules and constitution. This authority provides an arena to debate the rules in parliament.
DECREE 73
The duties and authority of the people’s government
a) The government forms its institutions and organs according to the legislation, controls and directs them through the ministries.
b) The ministers work in coordination with the local, territorial people’s parliaments and the parliaments of labour, peasant, youth and tradesmen which are under their responsibility. The activities of the ministries are accessible to the control of the l ocal people’s parliament and various parliaments. These parliaments have the right and authority to demand a vote of confidence from the GPP.
c) The committee of ministers, looks after the economy and production, regulates the budget and directs the affairs of the state in coordination with the related institutions.
d) Takes the necessary actions to maintain order in the system and secure constitutional rights for the benefits of the people.
e) In conformity with the DPR constitution, to determine the policy of foreign affairs and international relations.
f) Directs the People’s Army, Navy and Air Force and organises the regulations for military service.
g) Apart from the duties and authorities mentioned above, it uses the authority given by the GPP for its duties.
WHY? Because it is always possible for rule to be discretionary when it is not under the control of the legislation and people. All rights and liberties and democracy come under threat. Since the 1961 constitution, the ruling classes arranged the system in a way that the rulers were not liable for their activities, and on 12th September 1980 a military coup came into force as a result of this. The administration is also under the control of the people and local and general parliaments in the DPR. The people will participate in the application of laws and control them. They will also have the ability to make laws.
SECTION 9
DEMOCRACY IN THE DPR IS FORMED WITH THE CONTRIBUTION FROM THE LOCAL ASEMBLIES (VILLAGES, BOROUGHS) TO THE AUTHORITIES.
-Local Assemblies-
Decree-75-
Local people’s assemblies are the administrative powers in the towns, cities, provinces, villages, boroughs and all areas inhabited by people.
Decree-76-
Even in the small population centres, the members of the local people’s assembly (LPA) are elected in a democratic manner, the election will be general, fair, and will involve a secret ballot.
Decree-77-
The half of the members of regional peoples assemblies consists of the representatives of the borough, village, town and city assemblies according to the population and the other half consists of the representatives of the local assemblies of professional assemblies, again, according to the volume of their members.
The boundaries of the regions are decided by GPP according to the economic, geographical, national and local situations.
The LPA takes decisions on social, politcal, economic and cultural matters which concern the local people, form the necessary political, economic and security institutions to implement the decisions and establish order. All these institutions are accountab le to the LPA.
Decree-78-
The regional and local people’s assemblies make decisions about the social, political, economic and cultural matters within the boundaries of their authority. They form the necessary political, economic and security organisations to practise their decision and implement their authority. All of these sub-organs are accountable to RPA and LPA.
The decisions and activities of the LPA cannot violate the constitution of the DPR. In decision-making and implementation, the LPA is in coordination with other related administrative institutions.
Decree-79-
The LPA’s duties and authority are: making laws and making regulations valid locally, controlling and confirming local economic plans and budget, commissioning the authority of the people’s government and protecting the rights of the local citizens. The ad ministration of these duties is carried out by the management of the LPA.
Decree-80-
A certain number of representatives in the LPA are elected to the management of the LPA. These managers are accountable to the LPA, and their activities are accessible to control by the people’s government. These members can be removed from office by the e lectors.
Decree-81- THE DUTIES AND AUTHORITY OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE ORGAN OF THE LPA ARE:
a) Forming committees in rural areas, border areas and inland provinces, and choosing representatives for the economy, substructure, security and art and culture, these representatives are responsible to each of the institutions mentioned above. Solving lo cal problems in coordination with the government.
b) Guaranteeing that the decisions made in the LPA are implemented.
c) It represents the local people and the LPA whenever it needs to do so.
d) The LPA can call meetings.
Decree-82-
The administration of the LPA consists of a chairman and a required number of members concerning the institutions in the different areas.
WHY? Because the only way to make the people use their creativity and productivity and own their countries’ independence and democracy is to let the people participate in the management, make decisions and have the right to free speech. These lands belong to the people, one of the best ways to make people participate in the management is to make the local administration more effective and authoritative. The DPR institutionalizes the decision-making process and give the people the right to self-determination by spreading the authority of the government into the cities, subcities, boroughs and villages. The rulers who are afraid of giving the authority to the local administration are afraid of the people.
In the DPR, the power of the people will be stronger and with the distribution of the authority to the people, the benefits, future and the power of the people will be secure.
SECTION 10
THE JUSTICE OF THE DPR IS THE PEOPLE’S JUSTICE, IT IS NOT THE JUSTICE OF THE BOURGEOISIE
-Justice and Judgement-
Decree-83-
The judicial institutions in the DPR are: The People’s High Court (PHC) , The Special People’s Courts (SPC) and the People’s Courts ( PC). The PHC is formed by the DPR and the PC is formed by means of elections.
Decree-84-
The judiciary in the DPR, is based on an understanding of justice founded upon the participation of the people. According to this understanding, the offences against peoples’ power and their society and the problems arisen between individuals are solved by the laws, by people’s power and social values.
Decree-85-
The PHC, is the highest court institution in the DPR, the PHC consists of members elected by the GPP, these candidates are from the government, an assemblyof legal experts which include a prosecutor, judge and solicitors.
Decree-86-
Appeals and civil matters are heard in the PHC of the republic.
Decree-87-
Trials which require expertise in the military, economic and political fields are heard in the SPC.
Children under the age of 18 will be tried at courts specially established for minors.
Decree-88-
The local judicial institutions are the PCs. The PC consists of a prosecutor from the prosecution services and a judge from the PHC, there are also other members who are elected. These elected members can be removed by the people by a secret ballot.
Decree-89-
Trials held in court are open to the public, the court costs are provided by the state, everyone has the right to a defence and this secured in the laws of the state.
Decree-90-
In trials the suspect has the right to be tried in the language he/she speaks and the necessary arragements are carried out by the courts.
Decree-91-
The prosecution service elects its own committee to observe the legality of the GPP, all ministries, all institutions, officials and individuals.
Decree-92-
The executive committee of the attorney general and proscecution service elect the prosecutor for the SPC and the PC.
Decree-93
The prosecutors are independent and are accountable to the attorney general.
WHY? Because, we are left to live in a country where the strong crush the weak, where the big fish eat the little fish, where the rich look down on the poor and where justice and conscience can be bought. The system is based on injustice, the courts are pl aces where trials could be heard over a period of years and end with the verdict being traded. The thieves who stole millions from the people are all released at court, but those who stole a piece of bread so that they may live are imprisoned: the death sq uads are acquitted, but those who were struggling for the people’s independence and liberation are sentenced to capital punishment, judges and prosecutors who were loyal to the laws were sent to exile, but those who are corrupt and feed off the wealth of t he people, approve of torture and severe punishment are promoted. This justice system only benefits the monopolies and not the people. It is for the reasons given that people should participate and be active in the justice system so that a fair and democra tic justice system can be created. This is the policy of the DPR.
Decree-94- PRISONS WILL BE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
a) In the DPR the mechanisms of judgement and justice and institutions the prisons will be converted from places of oppression and punishment into institutions where individuals will be educated, encouraged to produce and think and be reclaimed by society.
b) Torture and similar practices are not permitted or tolerated in the prisons, the officials who are suspected of ttese crimes are to be taken to court and sentenced: These officials then will never be allowed to work in prison institutions again.
c) In the management of the prisons, the prisoners and their relatives are represented.
SECTION 11
THE BEST FORCE TO DEFEND THE PEOPLE IS THEMSELVES, THE BASIS OF THE PEOPLE’S ARMED FORCES AND DEFENCE IS TO ARM THE PEOPLE
-National defence and internal security: the people’s armed forces and the police-
Decree-95-
The Armed Forces of the Republic (AFR), gains its power and source from the people, it defends the people against imperialist attacks.
Decree-96-
Defence and the AFR consist of the national militia forces and has modern and technologically equipped professional armed units.
Decree-97-
The AFR can never be used for the aim of imperialism, they cannot be used against the national and social liberation struggles of other people.
Decree-98-
The AFR is a producer not a consumer, it participates in production in our country without interfering with military duties and commissions within the people.
Decree-99-
The AFR is under the control of the political institutions of the people’s democracy.
Decree-100-
There is a hierarchy within the AFR, which is natural an scientific, but this does not give the right to a higher rank to oppress the lower ranks. In military service the beating of soldiers is forbidden and any soldier who makes a complaint is entitled to do so, the military assembly will then take the necessary actions against the officer who has committed the offence.
Decree-101-
Within the AFR a democratic system is formed. the military assembly including all the military personnel are the guarantors of this system. The military assembly is organised down to the smallest units and the delegates consist of the central military asse mbly, all decisions and regulations concerning the AFR are made and controlled in this assembly.
Decree-102-
Military service is compulsory for every citizen of the DPR, including both men and women. Military service within the AFR is an honoured duty for the citizens of the DPR. The period, age and conditions regarding the military service is regulated by law.
WHY? Because, there is no connection between benefit to the people and the military defence understanding of the system of the ruling classes, The rulers did not once ask the peoples’ opinion when the sons/daughters were sent to Korea for the benefit of im perialism, or when they invaded Northern Iraq, or when they occupied Cyprus or even when the people’s liberation was taken away from them on 12th September 1980. The people did not commission their own children to protect the banks, holdings and prisons. Our people want to remember the words “military service” and “armed forces” along with “motherland”, like in the day when they fought against the imperialist invaders and their collaborationist forces.
That is why the armed forces must belong to the people, their main duty is to defend the country and the people, they have to side with oppressed people and not with the imperialists, they will not be used against their own or other people.
The people’s armed forces must be under the control of the people and their children, this armed force would never be used against the people.
Decree-103- THE ORGANISATION OF THE SECURITY FORCE.
a) The Militia will provide the security for the people, a security force is organised to prevent the actions of counter-revolutionaries, public enemies and other criminals, they are there to reveal the activities of the above mentioned groups and capture them.
b) The activities of the security forces will be accessible to the central people’s parliament locally. All stations and units will be open to the central judicial institutions and the people’s parliament.
c) The security forces regulate the duties of observing and capturing suspects. All custodial processes of the security forces depend on the attorney general’s permission, control and directive.
d) The personnel in the security forces have the right to participate in organisations and form unions to defend their economic and professional rights.
SECTION 12
TEMPORARY DECREES
Decree 1:
The military junta chiefs, prime ministers, ministers and officials of the junta regime who:
ordered and implemented the practices of massacre, torture, disappearance, exile, murder, village and forest destruction;
applied the imperialist policies;
formed counter-guerrillas;
plundered revenues;
led the oppression and despotic policies against people, will be arrested and in an open court will be judged before people and the world.
Decree 2:
The necessary actions will be taken during the people’s power and the criminals will be prevented from leaving the country and taking the treasures of the people with them.
Decree 3:
The fascist parties and parties defending the benefits of imperialism which commit offences against the people will be shut down and the leaders, representatives and official personnel will be judged in open courts.
Decree 4:
The acts, like the Anti-Terror Act, which were used to violate human rights and oppress people and the legal, managerial and other consequences of these acts will be abolished.
All prisoners, except the torturers and public enemies,will be released unconditionally.
Decree 5:
All special and cell-type prisons will be shut down and the directors, prosecutors, gendarme commanders and other personnel of these prisons who are proven to be torturers, will be judged.
Decree 6:
The torturers and persons who made torture possible, human right violators, the persons who were responsible for massacres, extra-judicial executions and disappearances will be arrested on sight. They will be judged in a platform where the victims and thei r relatives are present and those who suffered will receive compensation.
Special commissions will be formed, consisting of the relatives of disappeared and martyrs and law practitioners, to research the „disappearances“, extra-judicial executions and the murders by „unknown perpetriators“ which will have the authority to do eve ry kind of research.
Decree 7:
All instruments used for torturing in the police stations and buildings of special branches, MIT (Turkish National Intelligence Service),counter-guerrillas and gendarmes will be destroyed in public, and all these institutions will be shut down.
Decree 8:
All the debts of poor peasants to the state institutions and/or usury merchants and mortgages on their properties will be cancelled.
Decree 9:
All agreements with imperialism and imperialist institutions will be cancelled. Imperialist military bases will be shut down and all imperialist military personnel will be removed.
Decree 10:
All files prepared by MIT and the police about the revolutionaries, democrats, progressives, patriots and some of the institutions will be given back to these people and the copies found in different institutions will be destroyed in front of a committee f rom assemblies and democratic institutions.
Decree 11:
People who are exiled and migrated from their villages or cities will be able to return to their lands and the damage they suffered will be compensated.
Decree 12:
DGMs (State Security Courts) will be shut down and the trials will be cancelled. All files about people will be destroyed.
Decree 13:
All students who were dismissed because of their revolutionary and patriotic activities against YOK ( Council of Higher Education),and for having difficulties paying the fees will have the right to continue their education. The teachers and academics exile d by YOK will be able to return to their posts.
Decree 14:
Trade Unions Act (2821), Work Law, Commission of High Referees, Discipline Commissions, State Officials Act(657), Acted Regulation(399) which are limiting or banning the activities of unions, encouraging lockouts will be cancelled and the necessary regulat ions will be prepared and implemented by labourer/state official assemblies.
Decree 15:
The debts of small-scale tradesmen to the banks and usury merchants will be cancelled; the conditions causing stockpiling and black market will be changed and the practices forcing small traders into bankruptcy will be ended.
Decree 16:
The public economic institutions which were privatised for the benefits of the monopolies will be renationalised and their management will be given to the labourers.
Decree 17:
The mafia mobs who deal with dirty businesses i.e. drug and goods smuggling, illegal cheque/bond businesses, usury and black market dealings, etc will be dissolved, and members of these mobs will be judged in people’s courts.
The necessary economic, military and social actions will be taken to prevent these mobs from reforming.
Decree 18:
All exiled citizens and persons who lost their citizenship because of the oppression of the reactionary regime will be able to return to the country and regain their citizenship.
ABBREVIATIONS
CHP Republican People’s Party
DP Democrat Party
DPR Democratic People’s Republic
YOK Council Of Higher Education
TUSIAD Association of Turkish Businessmen
GPP General People’s Parliament
RPD Republic’s Presidency Directorate
APA Area People’s Assembly
LPA Local People’s Assembly
PHC People’s High Court
SPC Special People’s Court
PC People’s Court
AFR Armed Forces of Republic
