The international conference “Shaping Life Together: The Resolution Process in Turkey and Prospects for the Future” has continued in Bonn with contributions from representatives from politics, academia, and civil society. The conference is organized by the Association for Peace Research (QAD).
The focus of the participants was on assessments of the current situation in the Turkish-Kurdish dialogue, the role of the international community, and prospects for a possible resumption of the peace process.
Aymaz: International involvement crucial
Berivan Aymaz of the Green Party, a member of the North Rhine-Westphalian state parliament, emphasized the importance of greater international involvement. “This process requires courage and clear terms,” said Aymaz. She stressed that there was a lack of clarity in communication, particularly on the Kurdish side. More open language could promote understanding on both sides, she added.
Aymaz recalled Germany’s support for Abdullah Öcalan’s disarmament initiative, calling it “a great opportunity for the region.” However, she said, it remains unclear whether any specific invitations have been extended to international actors. “European research institutes and peace organizations are also only marginally involved. The process continues to be conducted primarily within a national framework. Greater international visibility, however, is crucial for security and success.”
Aydın: Democratic concerns take a back seat
Dr. Yaşar Aydın from the Center for Applied Turkish Studies (CATS) pointed out that earlier phases of dialogue had regularly ended in violence. “After 2015, Turkey experienced a new wave of escalation. The issue was also prominent in the 2017 election campaign,” he said.
With regard to Germany, Aydın emphasized strategic considerations: “From a German perspective, Turkey is geopolitically important—for example, as a counterweight to Russia or in matters of arms policy. Democratic developments, on the other hand, hardly play a role in Berlin. In addition, the German government is reluctant to use existing diplomatic instruments against Ankara.”
Özsoy: EU and peace institutions should become more active
Political scientist and sociologist Dr. Hişyar Özsoy from the Platform for Peace spoke out in favor of a stronger role for the Kurdish diaspora and European institutions. He said that the Kurdish question had long been an international issue, but was still largely treated as a closed matter in Turkey.
“Previous dialogue processes also took place behind closed doors. Today, the influence of the diaspora and international actors is even less,” said Özsoy. In his view, the Council of Europe, the EU, and peace research institutes could play a more important role.
Ruhavioğlu: Confidence in the process remains limited
Reha Ruhavioğlu from the Center for Kurdish Studies stated that there are fundamentally positive conditions for a new beginning in society. However, he said, the Turkish government is prioritizing security and geopolitical interests, while democratic reforms remain secondary. Confidence in the process is therefore low, he added.
According to studies conducted by the Center, opposition to the process has fallen to 10 percent among Kurds and 25 percent among Turks. Nevertheless, there is a lack of enthusiasm. The key to success, it says, is to reduce internal tensions, constructively incorporate regional developments, and involve the Kurdish diaspora more closely.
Ertan: Democratic rights must be made visible
Ali Ertan, chairman of the Kurdish Community of Germany, called for the rights and demands of the Kurds to be clearly taken into consideration. “We welcome the call for peace. But there are serious concerns,” Ertan said. “Many Kurdish politicians remain in prison in Turkey, and cultural and national rights are not recognized. The conflict is not just a question of democratization, but an unresolved national problem. The Kurds’ right to self-determination is indispensable, he added.
Dufner: German policy focused on migration
Dr. Ulrike Dufner from the Südwind Institute accused German politicians of not acting strategically enough. “The focus is primarily on migration policy. Issues such as the Kurdish question or regional dynamics are hardly addressed. This makes the role of civil society actors, research institutions, and human rights organizations all the more important,” said Dufner.
Güven: Peace rhetoric is missing from the media landscape
Journalist Banu Güven criticized the media’s coverage of the process. “A peaceful tone is hardly heard—neither in pro-government nor in opposition media,” she said. “Even after Öcalan’s statement almost a year ago, the aggressive language has hardly changed. The media alone cannot achieve much; there needs to be a demand for peace rhetoric from society as a whole.”
Atalay: Recognition of Yazidi identity lacking
Ali Atalay, representative of the Yazidi community, warned against equating a ceasefire with a lasting solution. He said that the Turkish state had historically pursued a policy of denial. “Even the genocide of the Yazidis by ISIS is still not recognized by Turkey. This raises doubts about the seriousness and sustainability of the peace process,” Atalay said.