CHP: We are in no position to join the commission we proposed

CHP Spokesperson Deniz Yücel made a statement following his party's Central Executive Committee (MYK) meeting. Yücel began his speech with fire disasters and said the following:

Our country is burning hot under the hands of an incompetent government that fails to consider preventing disasters before they occur, fails to take the most basic necessary precautions, and leaves training and equipment inadequate. If the firefighting planes that were absent during the fires that raged for days in Muğla in 2021 are still missing today, who else is responsible for the burning forests if not the government? Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, who is expected to give a satisfactory explanation to the citizens who are reacting with heartbreak and screaming in despair in the face of the forest fires, disrespectfully declares, "We don't have any planes or water trucks in our pockets."

"THE MINISTER SHOULD OPEN HIS EARS AND LISTEN CAREFULLY..."

The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, whose importance and seriousness of his work are evident even from this statement, should open his ears and listen carefully. Mr. Minister: No one is looking for planes or water trucks in your pocket. Yet, they are asking how many planes and water trucks could be purchased with the resources you've used during your 23-year reign! They are asking why there are only 27 firefighting aircraft against 23 million hectares of forest. Citizens are asking where their taxes are being spent. An earthquake occurs, and you deliver aid three days later; 78 lives are lost in a hotel fire; you abandon your work to protect your bureaucrats; a mining disaster occurs, and you kick the miners. Now our forests are burning, and you can only say, "The state and the nation are hand in hand." You are exploiting this nation's patriotism to cover up your inadequacy in responding to the fires. First, account for the inadequacy you have placed the country in in combating disasters. Look, after 23 years in power, there's no logical or valid explanation for not establishing an air fleet capable of effectively responding to the increasing number of forest fires. There's no logical explanation for sending firefighters, who risk their lives without a second thought, into the firefighting arena without adequate training or protective equipment. Let no one tell us, this nation, fairy tales... The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry appeared at a Planning and Budget Committee meeting and said, "There are so many planes," and "Water distribution capacity has increased." You explain it well, but what's the result? The result is a complete fiasco... Can you extinguish the fires? No. Can you protect our people? No. Then you won't tell us fairy tales.

Can the same thing happen in a country every year, every year, my friend? It's 2025... Many countries around the world are fighting fires with high-capacity aircraft, using formulas that prevent the water from evaporating quickly after being dropped. In our country, however, the budget allocated for forest protection is not allowed to be used. The General Directorate of Forestry can't finalize the aircraft rental tender in six months. The Turkish Aeronautical Association's firefighting aircraft are being sold. They don't care if the country is burning down.

"SINCE THE DAY YOU SAID A TERROR-FREE Türkiye, WE HAVE GOT 30 MARTYRS"

Referring to the deaths of two soldiers in Hatay due to organ failure due to excessive dehydration, Yücel made the following statement:

"The fire in our forests and the fire in the kitchen weren't enough, the anger we feel for another fire that struck our hearts 2 days ago has still not subsided, it continues to do so... Two of our 7 soldiers who became ill while training in the hot weather in Iskenderun lost their lives and were martyred, while 5 of our soldiers are injured... The fact that our soldiers died as a result of being left in extreme heat, that such a tragedy occurred, is literally murder. The Ministry of National Defense remains silent. Didn't 12 of our soldiers become martyrs just recently because they inhaled methane gas in a cave? Why should our 20-year-old young sons die of multiple organ failure due to extreme dehydration? What kind of negligence is this? In this country, they ask us 'Why didn't our soldiers drink water?' You're the ones who make us ask the question. But you're the ones who keep shouting "Turkey without terrorism, Turkey without terrorism"? Since the day you said "Turkey without terrorism," we've had 30 martyrs. And for reasons we've never even heard of before. What's with the idea of martyrs dying from methane gas and thirst? Why can't anyone die a natural death in this country? So, saying "Turkey without terrorism" isn't enough; we want a Turkey without martyrs. We want a Turkey where those responsible are held accountable, resign if necessary, but don't shut up and play the three monkeys.

Why hasn't an explanation been forthcoming that would satisfy the public? Will those who scorched our soldiers in the sun without giving them water in this heat not explain this to us?

"IF THE CHP IS IN THAT COMMISSION, NO ONE SHOULD BE AFRAID"

Yücel said the following regarding the commission to be established in Parliament:

One of the issues that has been closely followed and debated by the public in recent days is whether the Republican People's Party (CHP) will send a representative to the upcoming commission in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. This was one of the agenda items for today's Central Executive Committee (MYK) meeting. At our Central Executive Committee (MYK) meeting, Shadow Justice Minister Gökçe Gökçen gave a presentation on the work of the previously established "Democracy and Justice" commission. Our deputy group chairs briefed our MYK.

First of all, it's important to state that, as the CHP, we have no intention of not joining the commission we proposed. The nation assigns its members of parliament to work. Of course, we will. But we won't be involved in a situation where we decide the name and make decisions with whatever quorum we want. Our Chairman, Mr. Özgür Özel, has clearly stated that decisions regarding the commission must be made either by equal representation or by a qualified majority. Look, a commission on democratization is being established, and it's expected that decisions that will make effective and positive contributions to Türkiye will be made in this commission. It's our most natural right to demand democracy in the functioning of this commission. Therefore, let an official declare that the commission will make decisions by equal representation or a qualified majority, and we will join the commission. I'd also like to add that the CHP is the guarantor of all those harmed by terrorism, especially the families of martyrs and veterans, in that commission. Where the CHP is present, a unitary state is unquestionable. Where the CHP is present, constitutional amendments are unquestionable. If the CHP is present in that commission, no one should be afraid. The real risk is the absence of the CHP from that commission. The CHP will serve as a monitor and objection to certain concerns raised by everyone regarding the commission. However, let's also emphasize this: "Democracy in Diyarbakır, autocracy in Istanbul," or peace in the East, war in Istanbul... The new enemy is the Republican People's Party...

We will not allow such an approach, nor will we be part of such a game."

Source: NEWS CENTER