Speaking at a press conference held at the party’s headquarters in Ankara on Thursday, DEM Party Spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan stated that the Peace and Democratic Society Process presents a rare opportunity for peace in Turkey. She emphasized that legal safeguards and democratic reforms are necessary for this process to be sustainable.
‘Let us not waste any more time’
The DEM Party spokesperson stated that success cannot be achieved without a socialized, transparent, and open process.
Reiterating the DEM Party’s clear stance in favor of peace, Doğan said that politics should be unifying rather than polarizing:
“Instead of debating the executioners of the past, let us all strive together to build a dignified peace for the future. The roadmap is clear, and it is obvious that what has been done so far has ended in failure and caused us all great loss. Let us not waste any more time.”
‘Nothing should remain secret’
Referring to the discussions surrounding the visit to İmralı, Doğan said that the process should not be left open to speculation: “We can clearly see all the transcripts of the hearings conducted by the commission to date on the Parliament’s website. Three members went to Imrali Island to meet with Mr. Öcalan, and the transcript signed by all three participants should be read aloud in the commission. Nothing should remain secret.”
‘A historic threshold’
Noting that the process has entered its second phase, Doğan stated that all political parties must develop an irreversible common stance for democratization.
“We are at the heart of a historic threshold regarding the second phase. All political parties must now work together for democratization. We must establish a common stance on the issues that concern all of Turkey. Furthermore, this stance must be established irreversibly. We can express this irreversible state with determination and political courage for justice, for democracy, and for an equal law of brotherhood,” she underlined.
Call for regulations in the 11th Judicial Package
Ayşegül Doğan drew attention to the aspects of the 11th Judicial Package that restrict freedom of expression and said, “Regulations should be made to expand freedom of thought and association.” She remarked that the 2026 budget does not provide a solution to poverty and does not meet the needs of workers, young people, women, and retirees.
‘Obstacles to participation in Istanbul Conference must be removed’
Speaking about the International Peace and Democracy Conference to be held by the DEM Party in Istanbul on 6-7 December, Doğan stated that the political obstacles preventing Ilham Ehmed and Mazlum Abdi from attending the conference must be removed.
“The issues discussed in France and America should be discussed where they belong. We are well aware that the situation described as a legal obstacle is in fact a political one. However, they should be able to come, we should be able to speak, and not only Mrs. Ilham Ehmed but also Mr. Mazlum Ebdi should be able to come.”