In a statement on Wednesday, the The Imrali Delegation of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) announced that it had met with Abdullah Öcalan on February 16 for nearly three and a half hours. The statement summarizes Öcalan’s key remarks during the meeting as follows:
Democratic Integration
“My life has moved at a high pace since my first rebellion within the family. That has remained the case until today. The process we have gone through has essentially demonstrated our capacity for negotiation and our strength, which make it possible to move from a politics of violence and division toward democratic politics and integration.
The report of the parliamentary commission must be in harmony with the fundamental social realities. This characteristic of the commission’s report will be of utmost importance for the further course of the process. A policy that starts from the logic of ‘eradicating terrorism’ is not a solution, but rather an expression of the absence of a solution.
The process of peace and democratic society is one that continuously reassesses itself and determines its strategy and tactics. I consider this meeting as an introductory meeting to democratic integration. On this occasion, I commemorate our friend Sırrı Süreyya with great respect. For me, he was a forerunner and a very valuable friend.
“This Republic was definitely not founded without the Kurds”
The process that led to the founding of the Republic was based on the unity between Turks and Kurds. Even though this was later altered, its traces can be found in all official documents. During the War of Independence, at the congresses, and at the proclamation of the Republic, this point was acknowledged. Mustafa Kemal himself spoke about the Kurds at a press conference in İzmit on January 17, 1921. This Republic was definitely not founded without the Kurds.
Those who deny this make harsh and hurtful statements every day. The Kurds are part of the foundation and the core of the Republic. The fact that later legal texts excluded the Kurds and banned Kurdish identity and the Kurdish language led to denial and rebellion. The process we are currently in is one that aims to end denial and rebellion. We now want to discuss how we can come together and live together peacefully.
“Architecture cannot exist without laws and principles”
In the Middle Ages, there was a relationship based on religious unity, and the law of succession was structured accordingly. Today, we will integrate into the Republic on the basis of appropriate contemporary standards and through rational means. For this, there must be an architecture. The non-denial of Kurdish existence alone does not mean that an architecture has been established. Architecture cannot exist without laws and principles. It would also be incorrect to reduce the matter to a few amendments in criminal law. The main elements of this architecture—that is, the fundamental principles of integration—are contained in the declaration of February 27. This is a political program.
“Free citizen”
The issue concerns the definition of citizenship. Citizenship means a bond with the state. It signifies attachment to the state regardless of ethnic origin, language, faith, or worldview. It does not matter whether one is a socialist or a capitalist, Muslim or Christian, Kurd or Arab. Everyone can be a citizen.
I prefer the term “free citizen.” One could also speak of constitutional citizenship, but free citizenship is a broader concept. A person is free in religion, free in nationality, free in thought. Does the definition of citizenship in Turkey correspond to this? That remains somewhat unclear. One should be able to freely express and organize one’s religious, ideological, and national identity. This takes place within democratic boundaries and on the basis of the unity of the state.
A free citizen should be as free in practicing religion, belief, and thought as in expressing national belonging. Just as one cannot impose one’s religion or language on others, one should not impose one’s nationality on them. Everyone should be able to live out their nationality and identity freely.
Living as a democratic society
We have said that we want to live as a democratic society and have placed “peace” at the forefront. A democratic society means being able to freely shape one’s social identity. A society has cultural elements: healthcare institutions, educational and sports facilities, hospitals, and economic institutions. If a society can shape these freely, it acquires a democratic character. A strong state is one that demonstrates this flexibility.
Building a new century
These are the fundamental principles of our integration and our organizational model. There is nothing here that implies nationalism or religiosity, not even within a unitary state. We are speaking of institutions and the construction of a democratic society. Undoubtedly, there is no place for violence here. Integration into the democratic Republic is as important as the founding of the Republic itself. We conduct all our work in the spirit of the democratic Republic. The integration of the Kurds will be one of the cornerstones of the Republic. We are restoring to its feet the brotherhood that has been turned upside down for two hundred years and fulfilling the requirements of the law of fraternity. This is the construction of the new century, indeed even of the new millennium.
Existence and institutionalization of local democracy
In line with the spirit of democratic integration stands the existence and institutionalization of local democracy. This is also our proposal for Syria. By local democracy, I mean the following: A city or a village must have the right to express itself freely and to govern itself. The conditions for local administration are clear. I am not speaking of a separate state or a separate region. An expanded version of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, adapted to our social reality, would provide a strong foundation for this.
History was not written without the Kurds
These proposals take into account not only the existence and rights of the Kurds in their respective regions, but also those of all other peoples and faith communities. History was not written without the Kurds. The first to proclaim Kurdistan was Sultan Sencer. Kanuni said he leaned on it there. We must move away from a policy based on fear of the Kurds, from a policy that treats the Kurds as a phobia and a threat.
We will do politics; we will be a political community
Our issue has a security dimension, but beyond that, it also has a broader political dimension. Because we will engage in politics. Weapons and violence have been set aside. We will pursue a great democratic politics. Our society needs this as urgently as bread and water. Not everything should be overshadowed by security. Security policy must be guided by politics, and politics must be mindful of security. We will be a political community: a democratic political community.
The Kurds must form their democratic unity
Regarding the question of Kurdish unity, both within Kurdish society and among different Kurdish groups, I propose a “democratic union.” This does not mean a separate state, but rather a comprehensive democratic principle of governance.”
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