Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) lawmaker Ali Bozan shared his assessment of the “Democratic Society and Peace” process, saying that the key to a solution lies in “equality among the actors.” Bozan said that the new political climate that began on 22 October requires political will beyond legal steps, stressing that Abdullah Öcalan, as the main actor of the process, must benefit from the “right to hope” and regain his freedom.
Bozan said that following a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on Abdullah Öcalan, debates around the “right to hope” entered a new phase as of 2024, and that statements by Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), had given the issue a political dimension. He said that the actors who have taken steps and assumed ownership of the process are Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Mr. Bahçeli, adding that the other most important actor is Mr. Öcalan. Bozan said, “For deep-rooted issues to be resolved, the actors must be on equal footing. This equality must be ensured both in terms of physical conditions and uninterrupted channels of communication. Mr. Öcalan’s benefiting from the ‘right to hope’ and regaining his freedom is a necessary right for opening the path to peace.”
Ali Bozan drew attention to Abdullah Öcalan’s capacity to deliver a solution, stressing that direct engagement between Öcalan and the public is vital for establishing peace. He said: “In this country, the will capable of managing both the conflict and the process is clear. For Mr. Öcalan to play his role freely, he must be accessible, able to reach whomever he wishes, and able to share his ideas. These steps will increase public trust in the process.”
He also assessed the peace process by invoking remarks by Devlet Bahçeli, who said, “Peace is like a bird. A bird cannot fly with a single wing.” Bozan added: “Peace is like a bird. If one wing of this bird is the state, the other wing is Mr. Öcalan. For a bird to fly, both wings must be free. Implementing the ‘right to hope’ is the only way for peace to take flight in a healthy manner.”
Blocking releases amounts to provocation
Ali Bozan also addressed the process’s impact inside prisons, warning that some administrative bodies are acting in ways that run counter to the spirit of a solution. He said that blocking releases through Administrative and Observation Boards amounts to provocation. Bozan said, “There is not even a need for a new legal regulation for the release of political prisoners. Applying existing law and putting an end to arbitrary decisions would be sufficient.”