Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) honorary chair Ertuğrul Kürkçü spoke to ANF and assessed the new political balance that emerged after the withdrawal of guerrilla groups from Turkey in the second phase of the “Democratic Society and Peace” process that Abdullah Öcalan initiated with the statement he issued on 27 February.
Kürkçü said that the process has extended over a longer time period than initially expected and noted that this delay has created disappointment among people. He added that the process has now been entirely thrown onto the government’s field and underlined the urgency of taking concrete steps regarding mother-tongue education and the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan.
Ertuğrul Kürkçü referred to the 27 February call by Öcalan and said that everyone now has a clearer idea about the authenticity of the process and added that before this declaration there was already a perception that a period of dialogue had taken place. He said: “For my part, until I read this declaration, I felt the need to observe, but I did not only come to understand that there was a process. This is a prior period of agreement. In other words, before it was made public, before Abdullah Öcalan’s contact was established with the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), or the delegation, or others, or his lawyers, it appears that there was a period of talks. I understand that certain matters were reviewed, and certain main decisions were taken. We need to understand the process in this way.”
Kürkçü said that two main points stand out when evaluating the course of the process and noted that the first of these is that developments have extended far longer than originally anticipated. Kürkçü added: “After the period between 2013 and 2015, and then a decade of pressure and persecution that followed, there was an expectation in the public of a faster improvement.
The delay in the process has created disappointment among the people, and most of the burden has fallen on the shoulders of the Kurdish Freedom Movement. As the delay began, hopelessness or disappointment also began. Therefore, the responsibility and obligation to overcome this disappointment also fell again on the Kurdish movement. In other words, it appears that the entire burden of this process has essentially been shouldered by the Kurdish people and its revolutionaries.”
Kürkçü said that reactions following this step have been positive but remained weak, and added: “Unless there are developments that will convince all of Turkey, with its values and resources, that we are taking a step towards a better future, these developments will remain weak. Therefore, this broader democratisation agenda will remain the central issue.”
Kürkçü said that the inclusion of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in the commission, as well as the participation of parties other than the Good (IYI) Party, is “a favourable situation, because it brings a more multi-stakeholder solution process onto the agenda.” However, he underlined that real control still rests with the People’s Alliance and continued: “The role of the commission is limited. The majority of the commission is already formed by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). The lion’s share lies with these two parties. Therefore, it is difficult to think that anything which has not been considered, prepared, or pre-shaped by the AKP and MHP cadres will pass through the commission by itself. That is why the main initiative lies with the government. We want to see their practical steps.”
Kürkçü noted that there is dialogue between the People’s Alliance and the Freedom Movement, and added that for other parties to become part of this, they must also benefit from positive developments. Kürkçü said that the main opposition, the CHP, is currently under unjust attack and continued: “As has been said again, the government is in fact pursuing a course that goes entirely against the solution process. Because the government or the palace, approaches the axes of freedom with security-oriented outcomes. It does not approach from a pluralistic and inclusive point, but from a singular and narrow one. This prevents the process from becoming a freedom initiative, and it distances and cools people from it.”
Mother tongue education is indispensable
Kürkçü said that there is not even the slightest indication of practical preparation on how Kurdish demands will be addressed. Kürkçü highlighted the vital importance of mother-tongue education among these demands and continued: “Education in one’s mother tongue is, in fact, indispensable for the Kurds, even if every other demand were met. Because without mother-tongue education, without securing the mother tongue, it is impossible to protect and sustain one’s identity and existence; therefore, nothing else would be of any benefit. For example, it is essential that Kurdish classes be opened in all schools, and that, from primary school to the final year of high school, public, free and unconditional education in the Kurdish language be guaranteed for everyone.”
Kürkçü pointed out that obstacles to broadcasting in Kurdish must be removed, and that Kurdish-language services in local administrations must be made possible. He recalled that the rights gained before the 2016 period had been taken back under the State of Emergency and said that they expect a will of restitution from the government. He also said that the DEM Party must pave the way for a mobilisation for mother-tongue education in order to bring these issues onto the social agenda.
Kürkçü continued: “Demanding freedom for Öcalan is as natural for the Kurdish people. If a turning point has been reached, then those who paid the highest price must be given restitution, meaning their freedom must be returned. Humanity expects this from us. In a situation where nothing is seen in practice, nothing that opens the way for Öcalan’s contact with society, his contact with the world, his contact with people who have social representation, as if nothing has changed, there is nothing more understandable than the people taking to the streets with a demand for freedom.”
Kürkçü said that ending armed conflict is the most significant development and that the political leader who made this possible must be recognised, and added: “Öcalan is, in this process, the most significant political leader after those who govern the state in Turkey. Therefore, the Parliamentary Commission will not need to negotiate whether to meet with Öcalan or not. On the contrary, it must contribute to Öcalan’s efforts and his legitimacy.”
The importance of the Cologne march
Kürkçü called on people to join the march and rally to be held in Cologne on 8 November within the framework of the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Political Solution to the Kurdish Question” initiative, and continued: “In the end, the task once again falls on our shoulders. Unless the oppressed save themselves, no one will save them. But deciding along which path they would do this was their right. The Kurdish people will use their legitimate right in line with society’s demands to hold meetings and demonstrations through peaceful contact, dialogue, and measures in the direction of democratic society, and they will express this.”
Kürkçü highlighted the necessity of bringing the demands that will be expressed in Cologne onto Europe’s two key political platforms, the European Parliament and the Council of Europe, and said: “We cannot see any action regarding seriously ill prisoners. We cannot see any action even regarding the executions that have been burned out. Where, then, does Öcalan’s freedom stand? That is why it is both the right and the duty of the people to take the initiative on this issue. No one else but them can ensure this.”