Reports claiming tension between Selahattin Demirtaş and Abdullah Öcalan, as well as attacks based on a photograph taken in Parliament, have intensified recently, aiming to create confusion among the Kurdish public. Especially over the past two months, such manipulative news has increased significantly.
Most recently, it was revealed that Mehmet Mustafa Gürban, a member of the Good (IYI) Party, sent messages described as sexual harassment to Pervin Buldan, a member of the Imralı Delegation, while another Good Party member, Turhan Çömez, made insulting remarks. These incidents reflect the alarming level of hostility toward peace that has been reached.
In this second part of our interview with Ünal Yusufoglu, a member of the Central Executive Committee of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), we discuss the attacks targeting the DEM Party, the manipulation attempts by certain media outlets and groups, the political operations directed at the Republican People’s Party (CHP), and the DEM Party’s strategies for the new political period.
Attacks against the DEM Party are carried out by those seeking war and profit
Ünal Yusufoglu stated that the attacks targeting the DEM Party are understandable and that they are carried out by those who seek war and profit.
Yusufoglu said, “The attacks on the DEM Party’s struggle for peace and democracy are understandable. We understand this, and we are prepared for it. This is not a new situation. Those who feed on war, who construct their political reasoning and arguments through the language of conflict, who try to secure a place for themselves within the equation between the government and the opposition, and who base their politics on profit and the pursuit of positions, cannot tolerate the DEM Party’s unifying approach, its understanding of coexistence, and its commitment to fair and democratic relations. This is clear. That is why they raise an uproar over the smallest issue and persistently try to attach the DEM Party to one side.
In the previous term, there were attempts to subordinate the DEM Party to the CHP. When the DEM Party did not take a strong enough stance against the pressures targeting the CHP, a perception was created that we had aligned ourselves with the People’s Alliance. And in this latest process, similar claims have emerged, suggesting that the DEM Party has moved closer to the People’s Alliance.”
Yusufoglu also said, “The DEM Party is neither a subordinate of the opposition nor a part of the government, nor is it the product of an understanding that serves the government’s interests. The DEM Party represents a third way. We are not the appendage of either side. We are not obliged to align with anyone, to share in anyone’s mistakes, or to applaud anyone’s actions.
Our politics are based on the values we believe in, on our reason for existence, and on the principles of equality, democracy, and freedom that we have promised to our people. In that sense, we are the third way. The third way is valuable because it allows society to breathe amid this polarized political climate. In this regard, we are the breath of the peoples of Turkey and Kurdistan.”
DEM Party criminalized when criticizing the government, accused of siding with the opposition
Ünal Yusufoglu said that the DEM Party has been subjected to attacks from all sides, drawing attention to the attempts to create internal discord within the party. Yusufoglu continued: “From this point of view, certain attitudes have emerged. When the DEM Party criticizes the government, it is criminalized and subjected to attacks; and when it refuses to applaud any proposal or statement made by the opposition, it is seen as a partner of the People’s Alliance. All of this is intentional, and each has a purpose.
This is about preventing the creation of a positive political atmosphere in Turkey and instead establishing a new environment of division and confrontation through a polarizing language. They do not want a solution, nor do they see a future in one. Those who build their politics around fundamental issues such as the Kurdish question know that when the arguments that divide are taken from their hands, their end will come. That is why they attack, and to the extent of their power, they try to stir internal conflict within the DEM Party. They attempt to achieve results by opposing the Kurdish Freedom Movement and all the values it has created.”
All our comrades, including Demirtaş, are guided by the ideas of Öcalan
Yusufoglu said that efforts have long been made to create the perception of tension between Selahattin Demirtaş and Abdullah Öcalan, and to portray divisions within the Kurdish Freedom Movement, but all such attempts have failed.
He said, “The purpose of comparing or separating Abdullah Öcalan and Demirtaş and trying to show it as if there were a problem, lies in Turkey’s political mentality, which operates on the principle of divide and rule. The political mindset in Turkey is based on hostility toward the Kurds. The political centers in the country feed on conflict and antagonism. Therefore, the same method is being used against the Kurds, against the DEM Party, and against every statement the DEM Party makes. Many circles deliberately and persistently continue this approach.”
Yusufoglu added: “There is no such problem. Both the leadership of the movement, Abdullah Öcalan himself, and all components of democratic Kurdish politics have expressed a clear will on this matter. This also includes Selahattin Demirtaş, Co-chair Figen Yüksekdag, our comrades imprisoned in the Kobanê Conspiracy Case, tens of thousands of imprisoned comrades, and those living in exile.
What everyone agrees on and has declared clearly is this: Abdullah Öcalan’s call for a democratic society and his peace project are fundamental and binding for all of us. We also know that Öcalan has assigned serious duties and responsibilities to Selahattin Demirtaş, Figen Yüksekdag, and many other comrades for the advancement of this process. There is no problem with information sharing. Neither within the DEM Party nor between the party’s delegation and our comrades has there ever been any issue in exchanging views or unifying positions.
Both Co-chair Selahattin and Co-chair Figen are valuable figures of this struggle. They are our comrades, and we must not allow anyone to use them for political positioning. There is a deliberate attempt to create confusion, as if we were in opposition to each other. Neither Co-chair Selahattin nor any of our leaders would ever allow this.”
Even the smallest thing is exaggerated and turned into arguments against us
Yusufoglu stated that even the smallest issue is exaggerated and turned into attacks aimed at creating divisions within the DEM Party and the Kurdish Freedom Movement.
Yusufoglu said: “Let me say this: we must be very cautious on certain matters and stay away from any statements or comments that could turn into anti-propaganda against us or harm the spirit of this process. I can say that we are particularly attentive to this. However, we are aware that in the current political climate, even the smallest thing is magnified, turned against us, and used as an argument to weaken the organized strength within our base.
We discuss and talk about these issues among ourselves as well. Therefore, there are certain matters we must handle carefully in line with the natural course of this process. The photograph taken in Parliament actually reflects this. This is why we emphasize it and why we must be careful.
Of course, we are the ones organizing this process. We are a party that has taken on responsibility for resolving a century-old issue in Turkey. We are the administrators and cadres of this party. Naturally, we will maintain an attitude, discourse, and practice consistent with these responsibilities. We stand by every word we say on this matter. Where self-criticism is necessary, we will offer it to our people, to our counterparts, and to our friends.
But there is another point: we will never, ever step back from our principles or from the issue of peace in Turkey just because some may criticize or target us. This should be well understood. We know very well how to build the new through courage, political creativity, and perseverance.
In this regard, each of us may have our own style or tone, but there is one truth: the name of peace, the language of democracy, and the spirit of freedom have manifested collectively within all of us. That must be underlined.”
The DEM Party stands not only with the CHP but with anyone facing oppression
Ünal Yusufoglu recalled that the DEM Party has always opposed the operations targeting the CHP and has consistently emphasized that such actions are unlawful. Yusufoglu also pointed to attempts to pit the DEM Party and the CHP against each other and continued: “We know very well the purpose behind the government’s operations against the CHP. We have experienced this for 30 years. We are fully aware that these actions have no legal basis. At present, the government’s politics of eliminating, dividing, weakening, and confusing the opposition are being most intensely directed at the CHP.
However, the DEM Party stands not only with the CHP, but with anyone facing pressure, oppression, or attack. Unlike other parties, we stand with the oppressed, regardless of who they are. When a trustee was appointed to Esenyurt, the DEM Party was there. When Imamoğlu was removed from office, the DEM Party was there. Our co-chairs, central executive board, women’s assembly, party council, and district organizations all stood in solidarity against attacks on the CHP. We have expressed our stance on this matter repeatedly.”
Yusufoglu added: “Most recently, when a trustee was appointed to the Istanbul provincial administration, the co-chairs of the DEM Party visited the provincial headquarters and expressed their solidarity. Our co-chairs and party spokesperson made clear and public statements on this issue. Likewise, our provincial organizations, particularly in Istanbul, used clear language in expressing a common stance against the attacks and put this into practice. The attitudes of the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Justice were criticized, and it was clearly stated that we oppose these actions.
Now, for some, this may not seem sufficient; they may say, ‘Mobilize all your grassroots power.’ But let me emphasize this: solidarity is mutual, and a line of action grows out of a shared understanding. We know that our co-chairs and the CHP chair have reached a consensus on this matter. We also believe that there is a healthy flow of information. I am confident that the CHP leadership recognizes the determination and sincerity of the DEM Party on this issue. The statements made by Özgür Özel also reflect this.
However, I must say that there is a serious perception campaign underway aimed at creating confrontation between the DEM Party and the CHP. Of course, we are not obliged to accept every statement made by the CHP, just as the CHP is not obliged to accept every statement made by us. We are different parties. In fact, we are a party that stands well beyond the existing system. The CHP, on the other hand, is one of the main components of that system. While we aim to change this system, we also aim to transform all the mindsets that created it. The CHP is among those that shaped this system’s mindset.
Naturally, we will criticize the CHP and stand against its wrong policies, just as we will oppose those of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) or any other party. But if a party in power persecutes another party that opposes it, if that party is the AKP, then we will stand against it, and we will continue to do so.”
Yusufoglu also said: “We know that a special warfare method is in operation aimed at weakening the opposition and all its structures in order to derail the call for a democratic society, the project of reorganizing Turkey, the coexistence of peoples, and the reshaping of Kurdish–Turkish peace and relations. The essence of the criticisms directed at us stems from this.
Finally, there have been statements within the CHP concerning our friends Figen Yüksekdag and Selahattin Demirtaş. We asked them about this directly. Our co-chair made it very clear: one of the main reasons these friends are imprisoned today is the CHP. The mindset that says ‘it is unconstitutional but we will vote yes’ belongs to the CHP. It is the CHP that opened the door to trustees and, in doing so, served the government’s interests.
But the fact that the CHP acted in this way does not mean we will remain silent in the face of attacks on the CHP. We are different from other parties. We do not say, ‘They did this to us and you remained silent, so we will remain silent about what is done to you.’ In any case, we will make our stance clear with regard to the opposition, to women, and to young people, whoever the perpetrator may be and however distant they are from us. Because we believe in democracy, freedoms, the rule of law, and justice, we will of course stand against assaults on these principles.”
We will strengthen the peace front against the war front
Ünal Yusufoglu said that the DEM Party will exert all its strength to carry the process forward in its natural course, to involve all of Turkey’s dynamics in the process, and to strengthen the peace front against the war front.
Yusufoglu concluded his remarks as follows: “We hope that the process proceeds according to its natural course. This means that the commission formed in Parliament should pass laws on freedoms and present them to the general assembly. It also means thoroughly discussing this process with Mr. Öcalan and reaching a common understanding. Receiving Mr. Öcalan’s views and proposals and considering his perspectives must be among the first steps.
Not only that: while bringing all of Turkey’s dynamics into this process, the main measure must be the democratization of Turkey and the emergence of a mindset oriented toward a liberatory solution to the Kurdish issue. We hope that a stance and discourse capable of withstanding attacks from outside or inside, and able to overcome such pressures, will develop both in government and in opposition. This is the central focus of all our discussions.
We say that all politics must update itself in line with the project presented by Mr. Öcalan for the new period. This is Turkey’s future. The issue often invoked as ‘Turkey’s survival’, a phrase I dislike but must use for clarity, is essentially resolved here.
Therefore, we will be sensitive and persistent in ensuring the process continues, and we will mobilize all our resources against any negative development. Could the process be disrupted? That is possible. But whatever the outcome, we will insist on peace.
We will strive to include all segments of Turkish society in this process and to build a strong public opinion that acts together against war and security-first politics. We intend to unite the opposition, democratic mass organizations, trade unions, women, youth, academics, and writers, everyone, around this process and to organize a peace front against the war front.
We hope that such a situation will not arise; we hope that Turkey will not suffer new losses, and that we will have done what was necessary.”