The final draft report on the work of the Commission for “National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy” regarding the resolution of the Kurdish question was submitted at the beginning of last week to the parties represented within it for consultation. The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) has published its objections, criticizing the underlying concepts and terminology used in the report, which describe the Kurdish question in terms of “terror.”
Naming of the process
The statement was signed by DEM Party members Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, Meral Danış Beştaş, Hakkı Saruhan Oluç, Celal Fırat and Cengiz Çiçek. It makes clear that the terms contained in the draft such as “process for a terror-free Turkey,” “terror organization,” and similar expressions are not appropriate.
Referring to Abdullah Öcalan’s call of February 27, 2025, the DEM Party defines the current process as a “process for peace and a democratic society.” Within the commission, no agreement was reached on the naming of the process; according to DEM Party politicians, the expression “National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy” should be preferred.
The statement reads: “In this context, we believe that in our region, alongside Turks, Kurds and Arabs, many different ethnicities and faith communities live, and that relations among peoples and belief groups must be built on a democratic basis.”
The term “terror” does not encompass the Kurdish question
The deputies also emphasize that the Kurdish question cannot be defined by the term “terror,” but rather constitutes an issue of rights and freedoms with political, social, cultural and historical dimensions. At a time when efforts are being made to end the conflict process, the use of one-sided terminology does not contribute to social peace, according to the DEM Party. Describing Abdullah Öcalan as one of the key actors in this process, it says that the language used in the report is not in line with the spirit of the process.
“With regard to the rule of law and the requirements of the process, we do not consider it appropriate that Mr. Öcalan—who, due to his historical experience and tireless efforts for a democratic republic, is one of the political founding actors—and his struggle are persistently associated in the draft report with terms such as ‘terror’ and ‘terror organization,’” the statement says.
The right to mother tongue
Another aspect of the letter addresses the right to mother tongue, which the DEM Party describes as an inherent fundamental right. Restrictions on various languages, particularly Kurdish, should therefore be lifted and multilingualism accepted, it demands.
“The mother tongue is not merely a means of communication, but a fundamental element that shapes one’s way of thinking, learning process, emotional world and sense of belonging to society. In Turkey, restrictive regulations, practices and public obstacles concerning the right to mother tongue for millions of people with different languages and cultures, especially Kurdish, must be removed, and multilingualism must be accepted.”
Peace process requires an inclusive framework
Finally, the DEM Party emphasized that the language of the report must not be one-sided and called to conduct the peace process—both in its method and its language—within an inclusive framework that appeals to the social conscience.
The statement concluded: “The language of the joint report must not be one-sided. Many terms that have different traumatic impacts in various contexts must be reassessed. The text should be written in a language that is authentic and speaks to the social conscience. Peace is not only the outcome, but also the method and the language itself. We must not forget that a fragile language can lead to a fragile outcome.”
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