Abdullah Öcalan evaluated the call made by Devlet Bahçeli and initiated a new process. The “Call for Peace and a Democratic Society” marked the beginning of a new historical period. Limiting this call only to current developments would narrow its meaning. The Kurdish question was a historical issue, and Abdullah Öcalan led a struggle of more than fifty years to resolve this historical problem. At the current stage, he decided to move from armed struggle to political struggle for a solution. Bringing an end to the existence of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its armed struggle was of course a historic decision.
While Abdullah Öcalan and the PKK were taking such a historic step, what did those who govern the Turkish state do? They did nothing tangible. First of all, Bahçeli did not fulfil the requirements of his call and did not continue any efforts toward it. He said, “Let Öcalan make a call, let him come and speak in Parliament, in the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) group.” The expected calls were made and historic steps were taken. But Abdullah Öcalan is still held as a hostage on Imrali and no change has been made to his status. Those governing the state act as they wish both inside and outside the country. They work intensely with their experts, media and diplomacy. Abdullah Öcalan, however, can only meet with his lawyers and the DEM Party delegation with permission, and these meetings take place under the supervision of state officials. Without their permission, no meeting can take place and not even a single page of writing can be passed without going through their filter.
How are peace and Kurdish–Turkish brotherhood supposed to be achieved under these conditions? Should brothers not meet and discuss on equal terms? Can there be brotherhood and peace where one side is held hostage and the other dictates its demands? Let alone meeting and discussing on equal terms, even the parliamentary commission established to examine the issue and prepare proposals for legal regulations has not met with Abdullah Öcalan. The Speaker of Parliament and Chair of the Commission, Numan Kurtulmuş, says: “There will be no legal regulations unless Öcalan calls on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to lay down their arms.” Bahçeli, too, makes new demands, saying: “Let Öcalan put his hand under the stone and call on the SDF to disarm.” They continue to make endless demands and impositions on someone who is held hostage. In fact, even the words “demand” and “imposition” are not entirely accurate; it would be more correct to call it threat and blackmail.
Bahçeli said, “Let Öcalan make a call and benefit from the right to hope.” But officials say that the right to hope is not on their agenda. However, making legal arrangements for the right to hope is an obligation according to the Turkish Constitution, because the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) issued a ruling in this direction eleven years ago. According to the Constitution, international court decisions signed by Turkey are binding for the country. Yet, despite these binding decisions, Turkey did not amend its laws and did not fulfil the requirements. In this situation, should Bahçeli not take initiative and stand by his words? If his words were meaningful, he should have taken the necessary steps.
The Justice and Development Party (AKP) government has not even brought its own media into a peace and solution framework. Peace must be embraced by society and its foundations must be strengthened. If the AKP truly wanted peace and a solution, it would at least mobilise the media under its control in the right direction. But in practice, there is no such thing. Erdoğan says, “We are determined, we will advance on the path of a Turkey without terrorism, we will not allow provocations.” However, he does not do what is necessary to open the path to peace. On the contrary, he uses his determination for the suppression and elimination of Kurds in Syria. Daily threats continue. The recklessness is so extreme that they want to have the Kurds crushed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). All their diplomatic efforts and negotiations are being carried out to prevent Rojava from gaining a political status and to have the SDF devoured by HTS. How has this love for HTS taken hold so deeply in their hearts and minds, it is difficult to understand! Why is HTS closer to the Turks than the Kurds? HTS is known throughout the world for having the mentality of Al-Qaeda and ISIS.
Those who govern the Turkish state still have not made a serious decision regarding the Kurds. This is what appears. The Middle East has fallen into turmoil and the balances have shifted. This has made them uneasy. Furthermore, the cost of the war against the Kurds is steadily increasing. Now they themselves have begun to admit it, saying that it costs us trillions of dollars. It is clear that they still view the issue tactically rather than strategically. If there is truly a decision for peace and brotherhood, then why do they still keep Abdullah Öcalan as a hostage? Abdullah Öcalan is the person who has led the path to peace and worked the hardest to achieve it.
Those who hold Öcalan hostage and impose conditions on the Kurds and their political structures are not genuinely seeking peace and brotherhood. For this reason, the Kurdish people and the forces of democracy should not fall into empty expectations or complacency. If peace is to come, it will once again come through struggle and by expanding the front of democracy.