|
The ÖDP‘s official foundation was celebrated on 21 January 1996. The party is chaired by Associate Professor Ufuk Uras, a specialist on economics from Ýstanbul University. Freedom and Solidarity Party (ÖDP) is a pluralist revolutionary mass party comprised of various socialist groups from different backgrounds and different ideological and political traditions. The party recognizes the legitimacy of different opinions and guarantees the rights of minorities within the organization. ÖDP considers the existence of different tendencies as its major resource of richness. ÖDP is mainly composed of the members and representatives of democratic organizations and of trade unions, workers, university students, citizen initiatives, prominent intellectuals, journalists, academics. ÖDP was formed in order to respond to the need for an alternative vis-à-vis the crisis of capital; to overcome the splintered existence of the position and to unite the forces of peace and democracy to fight against oppression, violence and exploitation. The call of ÖDP has been responded by the supporters of labour, freedom and peace throughout the country. Socialists, revolutionaries, feminists, ecologists, peace and human rights activists, trade unionists, workers, students and numerous unaffiliated people have gathered around ÖDP. Striving to abolish capitalism and all other forms of oppression, exploitation, violence, and inequality, ÖDP follows its path towards a socialism based on freedom, internationalism and democratic planning, gender equality and ecology. Moreover it aims to be the political voice of labour forces and to overthrow the capitalist rule and imperialist oppression ultimately. Political Liberties: The increasing struggle for democracy carries pivotal importance; our party adopts a coherent stand against all violations of human rights and anti-democratic applications. Throughout its struggle for democracy, human rights and freedom, ÖDP supports all civil initiatives. Rights of the workers: ÖDP supports the working masses in their struggle and efforts to organise themselves against all kinds of political and economic aggression. ÖDP intends to be their mouthpiece in these struggles. A new concept of public interest: Together with the campaigns against ongoing privatisation attempts that comprises not only an economic but also an ideological assault; ÖDP demands the expansion of public services and resources, workers‘ control and the restriction of irresponsible flows of speculative capital. Recognition of "different" ethnic and cultural identities: ÖDP strives in order to achieve a democratic political solution to the "Kurdish question" on the basis of unrestricted freedom of expression to any kinds of "different" ethnic and cultural identity claims. Political Islam: ÖDP, while emphasising the fact that political Islam is almost a pillar of the existing political system, also strives for eliminating the prevalent illusion that state provides ideological grounds for the maintenance of the existing system, ÖDP also campaigns for abrogating the prevalent illusion that state control over religious currents might comprise a model to confine political Islam. ÖDP defends libertarian secularism, for full and concrete severance of heavenly and earthly worlds. In principle ÖDP pursues the policy of proving unrestricted freedom of faith and conscience; freedom of religious beliefs and practices. ÖDP declares that no one should be subjected to discrimination for his/her conscience, belief, opinion or preference. Consequently ÖDP dismisses the official adoption or protection of ant faith of belief by the state and urges that the state should dissociate itself from all religions, sects and faiths that remain at an equal distance. Chauvinism and fascism: ÖDP stands against the growing tide of racist-nationalist movement throughout the world. ÖDP tries to mobilise masses and leads campaigns against the rising nationalist upheavals especially around the Kurdish issue and aims to raise general consciousness against nationalism. ÖDP tries to strengthen the solidarity bonds with the groups and persons persecuted by the fascist and chauvinist assaults. Local Governments: ÖDP raises the call for democracy and the right for self-governance to all citizens, urges for the democratisation of local government and leads campaigns to promote the active participation of ordinary people to the decision making processes especially to issue that regard their immediate surroundings. A multi-cultural life: ÖDP urges for peaceful coexistence of diverse cultures and assures their further endorsement and enrichment. Women‘s rights: ÖDP strives for the final abolition of male dominated gender relations, struggles against the abuse of women‘s labour, sexuality and identity and stands against the discrimination against gays and lesbians. Racism and the minorities: ÖDP rejects the discrimination and the debasement of people from non-Muslim and non-Turkic origins. It fights for ultimate freedom for all minorities, ensuring their right to live without fear and to enjoy freedom of expression and self-organisation. A new society: Besides existing revolutionary and socialist forces in Turkey, ÖDP aims to unite all the working people around a democratic and labour-based political alternative. It pays further importance to bring different dynamics of opposition together.
|
