HDP: Dolmabahçe Agreement is the only solution

On February 28, 2015, the “Dolmabahçe Agreement” was declared in Istanbul. The agreement was a ten-point plan negotiated between Abdullah Öcalan and the Turkish state for a resolution to the Kurdish question. The Kurdish side was represented by the HDP, and the delegation included Pervin Buldan, Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Idris Baluken. The peace process was terminated shortly thereafter by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

In a statement published on Monday, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Central Executive Board said that February 28, 2015 was a historic moment for the democratization of Turkey and the solution of the Kurdish problem. “The Dolmabahçe Agreement was announced to the public, leading to the promotion of democracy, freedom and peace in Turkey’s society. The Dolmabahçe Agreement was the most important document in the history of the Republic that paved the way for social peace and democratic negotiations.”

‘SOLUTION WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE AGREEMENT’

The following remarks were made in the statement:

“Promoting life instead of conflict, social unity instead of narrow political interests, the Dolmabahçe Agreement was based on the democratization of the Republic with the solutions it offered to Turkey’s centuries-old problems. The agreement introduced a new approach by readdressing the relations between state-citizen, state-society and different identities and established democratic politics. Ways and methods to solve Turkey’s historical problems through its own powers were expressed in the Dolmabahçe Agreement.

The Dolmabahçe Agreement was a political turning point as well as a historic opportunity. At this turning point, advocating peace was possible with a policy based on principles and will. However, the ruling AKP government was in favour of war and violence and denied the Dolmabahçe Agreement. Aggressive war policies strangled the solution spirit of the Dolmabahçe Agreement, which ended up with the aggravated isolation imposed on Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. The isolation of Öcalan, whose historical role in ensuring social peace was confirmed, has been transformed into a form of government.

The denial of the Dolmabahçe Agreement has caused political, economic and social crises that have been continuing for decades in Turkey’s society. Since the day the agreement was denied, there has been no improvement in any field in Turkey. In the 7 years that have passed since the declaration of the agreement, democratic politics in Turkey has been held under tutelage in an unprecedented way in history, and a mechanism of coup has become pervasive. The Turkish economy is on the verge of bankruptcy, and social tensions have emerged based on not only identity issues but also on generational issues. Currently, we are faced with a political landscape where the state has readopted its classical policies and declared war on society. Multiple crises have arisen, and young generations have abandoned their hope for the country.

‘IT IS NECESSARY TO READOPT DOLMABAHÇE AGREEMENT’

Documents which express the truths always re-emerge even after years. Today, the multiple crises, global tensions and geopolitical risks that Turkey is facing make it necessary to return to the Dolmabahçe Agreement. It is an urgent need to return to the Dolmabahçe Agreement in order to get rid of the crises and global risks. Therefore, we call on all political actors in Turkey to return to the Dolmabahçe Agreement in a bid to save not only the present but also the future of Turkish society.”