Support from the international community for the Peace and Democratic Society Process led by Abdullah Öcalan continues to grow. Figures from different social sectors and experts in their fields stress that the current process offers a historic opportunity for the democratic resolution of the Kurdish question and for Turkey’s democratization. They underline that, in response to the steps taken by the Kurdish Freedom Movement, the Turkish state must assume responsibility.
Dylan Boutiflat, International Relations Secretary of the French Socialist Party, evaluated the ongoing process for the democratic solution of the Kurdish question in an interview with ANF.
Turkey must seize the opportunity offered by Öcalan
Boutiflat said that both his party and the French left are pleased with the process initiated by Abdullah Öcalan for the democratic solution of the Kurdish question and added: “When we made an initiative in 2024 calling for Abdullah Öcalan’s release, we believed that his freedom would be the first step toward a dialogue with the Kurds.
Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan has once again shown that he possesses the political intelligence to propose both a political roadmap and a method of dialogue to demilitarize the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)’s armed power, without even waiting to regain his freedom.
Öcalan’s approach fully aligns with the observations we made during a visit to Rojava with a group of parliamentarians some time ago. Bringing everyone to the same table, seeking common ground among all components of society… What is in some way possible today in Rojava is also possible in Turkey. This is why I believe Turkey must make use of this historic opportunity offered by Abdullah Öcalan and all Kurdish political forces, the opportunity to build a dialogue about Turkey’s future.
This is a very positive sign, especially at a time when interlocutors around Erdoğan seem to want to apply more pressure and issue threats against the opposition.
We believe that the dialogue process experienced within Turkish society and across all regions where Kurds live intensively shows the importance of demonstrating the will for dialogue. Öcalan has taken a truly decisive step.”
Öcalan has created an alternative for the region
Dylan Boutiflat drew attention to the significance of Abdullah Öcalan’s stance in favor of peace and dialogue during a period marked by conflicts and escalating militarization across the Middle East and beyond, and said: “Öcalan’s message of peace and dialogue is truly remarkable in its aim to open a new page after decades of massacres, violence, and death. And in fact, Öcalan has used this moment of global tension to launch a dialogue that resonates not only in Turkey, but also in developments across the Middle East, between Israel and Palestine, and even reaching Lebanon. I believe many elements emerging today are the fruits of seeds planted by Öcalan, seeds sown through his call for dialogue and disarmament.”
Öcalan must be released immediately
Dylan Boutiflat said the steps taken by the PKK demonstrate genuine commitment and determination for peace and dialogue and added: “What Abdullah Öcalan is doing today is truly an act of courage. The steps taken by him and by the PKK must be met with a response from Turkish institutions and authorities. But I believe Erdoğan is afraid of this process. The attacks against the opposition are an example of this. Erdoğan is losing his power. He is also losing his power and control in the political space offered by Öcalan and the Kurds for peaceful and democratic solutions. Another important point is that this process should not continue only among certain segments. For example, it is important that leaders of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) also take part in this process. This tells us something about the transformation of Turkish society.
Boutiflat added: “The debate on the Kurdish question, and the process toward its solution, is a debate that will democratize Turkey. Öcalan’s step, and the Kurds’ willingness to establish dialogue with a side that has historically shown hostility and continues to apply pressure, shows that they are contributing to a vision for Turkey’s future and to the hope of living together.”
Boutiflat noted that, in response to the steps taken by the PKK, the Turkish state must accept a historic transformation and continued: “A democratic Turkey desired by its societies must be built, one that recognizes minority rights, guarantees equality between women and men, and establishes a system where no single group dominates and everyone is equal. All necessary steps must be taken as soon as possible for the success of this process. As I have said before, Öcalan must now be released. And together with Öcalan, all political prisoners must be released.”
The occupation must end
Dylan Boutiflat underlined that, within the scope of the process, the Turkish state must also withdraw from the areas it occupies in Syria and said: “To be clear, the Turkish Army must also take certain steps in this process. For example, they need to withdraw from the areas they occupy in Syria. They must pull back all their military forces in Syria, especially from the occupied areas. And not only in Syria, they must also withdraw all their forces from the region of Southern Kurdistan (Başur).”
He also said, “I am in contact with the administration in Rojava. They report that people who were forced to leave the occupied areas, such as Afrin (Efrîn), are still living in tents under harsh conditions. If we are speaking of dialogue, then these people must now be able to live freely in their own regions. At the same time, the crimes against humanity committed in these areas must be exposed and those responsible must be brought to justice.”
Kurds must take part in building the new system
Dylan Boutiflat also addressed developments in Syria and emphasized that Europe, especially France, must work for the establishment of a democratic Syrian system in which Kurds play a central role. He said: “The dialogue conducted around the Interim Government President Ahmed Al-Sharaa (Al-Jolani) must include Kurds, Syriacs, Druze, Arabs, Alawites, every component of society. A strong step is the recognition that Kurds, with their own autonomous forces, will be part of the new Syrian army.”
Boutiflat said: “Al-Jolani must understand that he needs to act together with the Kurds and with all communities of Syria. He can no longer remain dependent on the Turkish government. He must clearly express his willingness to bring together all components of society. This also means not remaining dependent on Israel’s influence, especially extending to the Golan Heights and ensuring the capacity to protect the entire population.”
We must continue our support
Dylan Boutiflat, International Relations Secretary of the French Socialist Party, emphasized the importance of continued support from democratic circles in Europe for the Kurdish freedom struggle and said: “As Europeans, we must continue to provide every form of support, first and foremost for Rojava to gain recognized status and for all public policies there to be developed. France and Europe can especially help build a judicial system. We must also be able to respond to all of Rojava’s needs. The second point is that we must support the creation of a democratic Syria and a democratic Turkey. The process initiated by Öcalan has given positive momentum to this. In this sense, the process must be supported in every possible way.”