The chairman of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Özgür Özel, has cautiously commented on the discussion about the possible involvement of Abdullah Öcalan in the work of the “Commission for National Solidarity, Fraternity, and Democracy” established in the Turkish parliament. In an interview with the Cumhuriyet newspaper, Özel stated that no concrete proposals had been received on this matter to date. However, should the question arise, it would be discussed in the commission, he added.
“The commission can meet, discuss the issue, and make a decision. If a topic exceeds the competence of the members, it could be referred to us,” said Özel. “But so far, we have not received any such proposals.”
Özel emphasized that the CHP currently has no plans to visit the prison island of Imrali or hold talks with Öcalan. Whether, when, and with what aim such a step would be discussed depends on the further course of the commission’s work.
“We will not leave the table”
Özel accused political opponents from the government camp of deliberately trying to corner the CHP. He said they were attempting to shift the responsibility for a possible failure of the commission onto the largest opposition party: “Some hope that we will leave the commission—but we will not leave the field to them. When it comes to genuine democratization and resolving the Kurdish question, we are prepared to take responsibility.”
At the same time, Özel made it clear that certain principles were non-negotiable for the CHP: “We are not discussing a new constitution at the negotiating table. And we will not do anything that we could not explain to the families of fallen soldiers.”
Criticism of unrealistic expectations
Özel sees increasing hesitation in the commission’s current work, especially on the part of the ruling AKP and MHP parties. At the beginning, he said, expectations were raised, such as an immediate call for the complete disarmament of the PKK or a regional peace initiative that would have an impact on Syria, Iraq, or Iran. “This was unrealistic from the outset. Everyone knew that these announcements were exaggerated – but anyone who said so openly at the time was immediately attacked.”
In view of the political reality, such as developments in Syria and the US stance on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), it is now clear that the commission is being deliberately slowed down, Özel said.
Focus on human rights: seriously ill prisoners and trustees
Özel stated that the CHP now wants to raise specific issues within the commission, such as the situation of seriously ill prisoners and the policy of trustees in municipalities. The aim, he said, is to generate positive momentum rather than reacting by withdrawing: “Instead of leaving the commission, we are calling for concrete steps toward democratization. Let’s start with seriously ill prisoners. Then we need to talk about the practice of trustee appointments. That will show who is serious about this.”
Dispute over the party conference: “We are prepared”
On the sidelines of the interview, Özel also commented on the legal dispute surrounding the CHP party conference in Istanbul, which has been challenged in court. The party leader said that they were prepared for all scenarios. “Our delegates collected around a thousand signatures for an extraordinary party conference within a day and a half. That was a clear, legally sound step—no one can stop this party conference.”