Politician Lezgin Botan, evaluating the “Peace and Democratic Society” process initiated with Abdullah Öcalan’s statement on February 27, emphasized that the Kurdish people and the Kurdish political movement made unexpected sacrifices. However, these efforts advanced in a one-sided manner, with the state failing to take any concrete steps in return.
The parliamentary commission is important but insufficient
Lezgin Botan said that the establishment of a commission in parliament with representatives from all political parties for the first time was important and added: “The fact that the issue is essentially being discussed under the roof of parliament with the participation of all political actors is significant.”
He noted that although the commission had greater political representation compared to the “Wise People” committee of 2013–2015, it fell far short of meeting the expectations of the Kurdish people and society. Botan underlined that the process was highly critical and important, and said it could not be carried out merely by assigning it to a parliamentary commission.
Botan also stressed that, at Öcalan’s call, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) deciding to dissolve itself and conducting a symbolic act of burning arms should not be considered an easy decision.
Botan said: “To be frank, this could create a serious void, both for the Kurdish public, for a 50-year struggle, and for the dynamics of the region. If the withdrawal of military forces from a conflict position cannot be replaced with democratic values, then a serious vacuum will emerge, and within that vacuum, very different and unexpected social upheavals could take place.”
Botan added that while the state should be taking steps to increase social hope, instead it displayed attitudes that undermined it. As examples, he cited the refusal to allow a Peace Mother to speak Kurdish in the commission and the Turkish state authorities’ threats of war against Rojava. He underlined that this approach did not serve either the process or peace.
We now expect an apology
Lezgin Botan said that defining the process as “terrorism” and discussing it in the context of “amnesty and punishment” did not reflect seriousness, stressing that the just struggle of the Kurdish people for their rights could not be disregarded in this way and said, “For Kurds, even the word ‘we will pardon’ is an entirely offensive debate. Kurds have been exploited for a century in their own lands, their territories occupied, and their language banned.”
Botan reminded that the artificial nation-states created after the Lausanne and Sykes-Picot agreements brought devastation and massacres to Kurdistan, and underlined that Turkish, Arab, and Persian states must apologize to the Kurdish people.
Botan said: “The Turkish state must apologize to the Kurdish people for the crimes against humanity it has committed, for mass killings, and for burning and destroying settlements. They are the ones who banned us, who denied us; so, who is to forgive whom? This is a matter far too serious and historic to be reduced to the axis of amnesty and punishment.”
Botan stressed that apologies by the states occupying Kurdistan would also help rebuild bonds between peoples and heal historical wounds.
Öcalan’s freedom is the fundamental condition for peace
Lezgin Botan added that the commission could not fulfill its task merely by listening to people, but that it should present its discussions in the form of a draft to parliament.
Botan emphasized that for the will for peace to be fully realized, Abdullah Öcalan must be released without condition and said: “Mr. Öcalan is the negotiator here on behalf of the Kurdish people. The Kurdish side and the Kurdish people have made their decision in this regard. Therefore, both he and his friends in Imrali must be freed, and under free conditions they should now be able to meet with everyone. For peace, he must engage in open dialogue and discussion with all segments of society.”
Botan underlined that the 2013–2015 context has completely changed and that new power balances have emerged in the world and in the region, adding that the Kurdish people now hold greater advantages in the current conjuncture.
Botan continued: “If Turkey continues to act according to the old context, it will suffer great losses. The Kurdish people have legitimate demands; from constitutional citizenship to special status and federation, all of these must now be freely discussed and debated.”