Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, the prominent Anglican church leader, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate (1984), and guardian of humanity, died at Christmas. The whole world mourns him who from a young age has tirelessly served the world, human rights, and human dignity. Desmond Tutu appeared on the world stage when he fought against the apartheid regime in South Africa – never with weapons, but with a tireless call for dialogue and reconciliation. He became Nelson Mandela’s close friend and ally, even though they did not always agree on how to resolve political conflicts. However, as the president of the free South Africa Mandela appointed Tutu to be the chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) seen by many as a crucial component of the transition to full and free democracy in South Africa.
Desmond Tutu was direct with those he had something unspoken with, did not hide what he meant, it was never about who he talked to, but about what he had to say. He enjoyed talking freely with people on the street, as he also did in front of world leaders – this made him both loved and feared. Desmond Tutu became a true friend and supporter of the Kurdish people. He was the first patron of the EUTCC and in 2012, Desmond Tutu issued an international call for the Resumption of Dialogue where he urged Turkey to resume the peace talks with the Kurds and the imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan for a peaceful resolution of the Kurdish question in Turkey. The petition was signed by former heads of state and prominent figures like His Holiness Dalai Lama, Jimmy Carter, Jose Ramos-Horta, Gerry Adams and Kjell Magne Bondevik.
Desmond Tutu showed a boundless understanding and solidarity with people in the middle of the struggle because he had stood there himself. On the other hand, he showed no understanding for heads of state who were indifferent in the encounter with the world’s problems and political conflicts, or who failed to speak out when injustice was committed. For him, it meant lining up with the enemy. For the Kurds, who are still silenced by the international community, Desmond Tutu put peace on the agenda and became a mouthpiece for resumption of dialogue and peace talks.For the EUTCC Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu will forever be remembered as a bauta in the service of humanity and a faithful supporter of the Kurdish cause on the world agenda.
His boundless love for those who suffered under oppressive regimes, such as the Kurds, is a reminder never to give up on change for a better society for all.The EUTCC will remember Archbishop Desmond Tutu with joy and gratitude and in his memory, there is hope and future optimism. Although the Kurds in many ways still face closed doors internationally, Desmond Tutu has managed to open some of them slightly.
We light peace over Desmond Tutu’s memory!
On behalf of the EUTCC boardKariane WestrheimChairpersonDersim DagdevirenBoard member
EU Turkey Civic Commission
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