Internationally renowned sociologist Craig Calhoun has declared his support for the “process for peace and a democratic society” initiated by Abdullah Öcalan. In a message to the DEM Party, Calhoun expressed his hope that efforts to establish dialogue between the Turkish state and the Kurdish movement would be successful.
“I sincerely hope that those who are negotiating peace with the Turkish state will be successful,” Calhoun wrote. He spoke out in favor of mutual respect in dialogue and the right of self-determination for the Kurdish population.
Calhoun, who is a professor of social sciences at Arizona State University, was previously president of the Social Science Research Council and director of the Institute for Public Knowledge at New York University. He is one of the most influential voices in critical social analysis in the English-speaking world.
In his statement, he emphasized: “I would like to express my solidarity with all those who are working for a peaceful future and a degree of self-determination for the Kurdish people. I know how difficult it is to maintain hope in the face of so many disappointments and open hostility. That makes me admire those who do not give up despite everything all the more.”
Calhoun also referred to his personal connection to the situation of Kurds in Turkey and called for “respect and fairness for all those involved in a political solution process.”
The “Peace and Democratic Society” initiative was launched at the end of February on the basis of a public appeal by Kurdish leader and PKK founder Abdullah Öcalan. Its goal is to promote a political solution to the Kurdish question in Turkey through social dialogue and democratic reforms.