Discussions on the democratic solution to the Kurdish question, which have been ongoing for more than a year, continue to rank among the foremost issues on the public agenda and within political debate. The steps taken, and the talks conducted within this framework carry decisive importance both for domestic politics and for social peace. At the centre of the peace process are three core concepts emphasised by Abdullah Öcalan: democratic society, peace, and integration. In particular, the concept of “democratic integration” has come to shape the current discussions surrounding the process.
Lawyer Muharrem Şahin spoke to ANF, saying that debates on integration should not be approached in a narrow or one-dimensional manner: “The issue needs to be assessed in its historical, political, and social dimensions. There are examples of this across the world. The integration process became widespread particularly after the French Revolution, alongside the rise of nationalism. The real question that needs to be discussed is the nature of integration itself. Are we talking about economic integration, political integration, or an ideological form of integration?
The fundamental approach that Abdullah Öcalan has consistently emphasised is democratic integration. This is an extremely important distinction. In order to build a democratic society in Turkey, a comprehensive social consensus must first be achieved. This consensus needs to be addressed through an understanding that considers all cultural, social, political, and economic differences. Without a consensus that includes all components of society, it is not possible to speak of democratisation.
Since the founding of the republic in Turkey, a rigid nation-state mindset has prevailed. An understanding of integration centred on a single border, a single language, and a single belief was imposed. However, this approach does not constitute democratic integration. On the contrary, it is a model that narrows society, causes regression, and distances it from democracy. This monolithic approach adopted in the post-republican period continues to be one of the main obstacles to Turkey’s democratisation.”
Democratic transition laws must be implemented
Şahin said the first step toward democratic integration is the implementation of democratic transition laws and continued: “The democratic solution perspective presented to society by Mr. Öcalan has opened the way for a genuine and strong peace process. The peace perspective set out by Mr. Öcalan in the ‘Democratic Solution Declaration’ is of a nature that will shape not only today but also the future. Ahead of us stands for a peace process significant enough to inspire hope. This process must be advanced through concrete and urgent steps, and at the forefront of these steps are democratic transition laws.
These are also referred to as transition laws or integrated laws. However, it must be underlined that there are urgent measures that can be implemented even without any legislative change. One such example concerns detainees and prisoners who have already completed their sentences. Despite having effectively served their terms, many detainees and convicted prisoners continue to be held in prisons due to arbitrary decisions by the Prison Administrative and Observation Boards. Resolving this issue does not even require a new legal regulation; it is an urgent measure that can be implemented immediately.
These problems must be addressed first. Without taking these steps, it will not be possible to achieve cultural integration. The process should begin with what is easy and feasible and then be carried forward.
As Mr. Öcalan has repeatedly emphasised, the issue of integration must be addressed on the basis of ‘democratic integration.’ This approach means that everyone can exist in society with their own language and culture, and that this existence is placed under legal protection. What we consistently insist on is that society be governed through democracy and that the gains achieved be secured on a legal basis.
In all countries where law and democracy are absent, destruction begins. There is only one solution to this: democracy and law. Without these two, what societies inevitably face is chaos. The practice in Rojava stands as one of the clearest examples of democratic integration. This is precisely the paradigm that Mr. Öcalan has defined as the ‘Third Way.’”
Peace will benefit all peoples
Muharrem Şahin said that the integration model implemented in Turkey to date has almost no equivalent anywhere in the world. Şahin also said: “The current approach is built on denial and negation. The integration model applied in Turkey is entirely based on denial and erasure. There is no comparable example of this anywhere in the world. The way out of this situation begins with acknowledging this reality. First, there must be confrontation with this truth. Only then can the necessary legal regulations and democratic developments be constructed. Without democratic integration, there is no possibility of achieving peace.
There are many actors who are waiting for this process not to materialise and who benefit from its failure. Mr. Öcalan has rendered all the arguments put forward by such circles invalid. With the dissolution of the organisation and the creation of conditions for withdrawal beyond the borders, all justifications that Turkey could previously put forward have been eliminated. The prevailing negative picture has largely been overcome. The beneficiaries of this peace will not be Kurds alone; everyone living in Turkey will gain from this process. Through democratic integration, all structural problems will be resolved.”
Mr. Öcalan’s physical freedom must be ensured
Muharrem Şahin said that for the integration process to advance, Mr.Öcalan must be able to work under free conditions: “The solution perspective and peace vision presented by Mr. Öcalan need to be conveyed properly to society. The only way for this to happen is for conditions to be urgently created that allow Mr. Öcalan to communicate freely with everyone and to explain this perspective himself. For that to be possible, he must be physically free. As long as the person who is the pioneer and key actor of peace remains imprisoned, without these conditions being met, the peace that is being discussed will be rendered more difficult.”