The spokesperson of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), Aysegul Doğan, held a press conference at the party’s headquarters regarding the ongoing meeting of the Central Executive Board (MYK) and current political developments. Stating that she found the visits paid by Speaker of Parliament Numan Kurtulmus to political parties, including the DEM Party, to be significant, Doğan emphasized that channels of dialogue were extremely valuable.
Doğan also commented on the report that was unanimously approved in parliament, saying that such a ground for contact and negotiation had not existed for years and that Turkey needed this. She said that the report was important and added, “However, it is necessary to underline one point: such a commission or such a report alone cannot resolve a massive problem that is more than 100 years old. Therefore, this report is not a solution document. Yet it contains certain points where the spirit of a solution touches life and is reflected concretely in law and social life.”
This threshold must be completed through a democratic transition
Aysegul Doğan responded to Speaker of Parliament and Chair of the Commission Numan Kurtulmus’s description of the commission’s work as a “historic threshold” by saying that what mattered was not merely calling it a historic threshold, but how this threshold would be crossed from this point forward and how it would be transformed into a transition. Dogan said: “We believe that this threshold must be completed through a democratic transition. If it is being said that we are approaching a solution to a century-old issue, and if there is a shared view on this assessment, then there must also be a consensus on this matter. In that case, this must be demonstrated through concrete steps. As the DEM Party, this is exactly how we approach the issue.”
Providing information about the expectations that emerged in public meetings and gatherings held after the report, Doğan said that the most common criticism was that the problem was not being named. She also said: “Society wants to trust the process, but steps that people can place their trust in are not being taken. For this reason, the process related to legal regulations should not be spread over time and must be swiftly scheduled. Instead of finding various justifications, it is necessary to create a timetable, to establish this timetable as quickly as possible, to take without delay the steps that do not require legal regulations, and to set out a very rapid timetable for the steps that do require legal regulations, to share this transparently with the public, and to move forward with these steps without delay. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says, ‘This is not merely an advisory text, but a historic document.’ The main element that will strengthen and define the historic character of this document is how it will be implemented. That is why all political parties, foremost the governing bloc, must take a position with full awareness of this quality and with readiness to fulfill the responsibility that comes with it.”
There is a clear responsibility before parliament
Aysegul Doğan said that there was a very clear responsibility before parliament. Dogan said: “It is necessary to give substance to the report, to set out a timetable, and to rapidly turn its headings into concrete steps. All ambiguous points must be eliminated, and the debates that may arise from these uncertainties must be addressed in a constructive and positive manner by grounding concrete steps in law. In a democratic country and in a state governed by the rule of law, what must be done is to meet these legitimate expectations. So, what can be done in this context? Court rulings can be implemented immediately. The trustee regime can be brought to an end. Transitional justice laws and regulations regarding the execution of sentences can be brought onto the agenda without delay, and then, believe me, the atmosphere in the country will change. At that point, instead of distrust, confidence-building steps will begin to be discussed. On the one hand, Selahattin Demirtaş, Can Atalay, Ciğdem Mater, Figen Yuksekdağ and Tayfun Kahraman will remain behind bars; sick prisoners will not be released; Prison Observation and Administration Boards will continue to issue unlawful and unjust decisions and will operate almost as an obstructive mechanism against freedoms; trustees will remain in office. On the other hand, we will say that this is a historic threshold.”
Our work is ready
Aysegul Doğan spoke about transitional justice within the Peace and Democratic Society Process and emphasized that everyone who lays down arms must be able to benefit from legal guarantees without discrimination. She said, “This must be addressed on the grounds of law and politics. Integration involves mutual change and transformation. For this reason, it can only be made possible through legal guarantees. Otherwise, it produces new areas of tension, and there is no need for that. What is needed is not security-oriented reflexes; what must be strengthened is not security-oriented reflexes, but democratic politics. The silencing of weapons should be accepted as a beginning for democratic politics, and it must be clearly stated by the political power that the solution should not be sought only under the heading of security, but in law, democratization, necessary reforms, legal regulations and institutional transformation. Our Legal Commission has been carrying out work on this issue for quite some time.”
Doğan said Öcalan, for decades, had been making great efforts to resolve a massive century-old problem through democratic and peaceful means, and continued, “There is such a truth. Mr. Öcalan is the main actor and chief negotiator of the Peace and Democratic Society Process. We are speaking of a process that gained momentum with Mr. Öcalan’s call on 27 February 2025. We are speaking of the reality of an organization that responded rapidly to this call. We are speaking of an organization that destroyed its weapons by burning them. We are talking about the reality of an organization that destroyed its weapons by burning them. Subsequently, we are referring to a situation in which it stated that it wants to engage in politics as the Peace and Democratic Society Group, describing this as a strategic decision. Given this situation, the necessary conditions must be created for Mr. Öcalan, as the chief negotiator, to live freely, work freely, and communicate freely. And all legal and administrative obstacles standing in the way of those conditions of free living, working, and communication must also be removed.
We have repeatedly determined how important, and at times how vital, it is for Mr. Öcalan to be able to address different segments of society and to meet with different segments of society. And now, let us not waste any more time. Let us create these conditions. Journalists want to go and address their questions to him directly. The way for this must now be opened. He must meet with writers, opinion leaders, and representatives of different political parties, and everything necessary must be done to create the conditions for this. This cannot be confined to any rigid framework. This is necessary for a permanent, not a temporary solution. Conditions must be created in which he can carry out this intensive work. This is not an issue unique to Turkey alone. Let us look at examples of conflict resolutions around the world. In conflict resolution processes worldwide, such influential leaders have been directly engaged. The necessary ground has been created for this direct engagement. Especially for a leader in such a strong position, opportunities must be created for him to play his role, fulfill his mission and make his influence more effective. This is also a requirement of the very nature of this process.”
Doğan also addressed reports that the DEM Party would hold a congress, saying that no evaluation with a congress agenda had been carried out within the authorized bodies of the DEM Party, including the Central Executive Board, and that no decision had been taken regarding a congress date. She added that the DEM Party would hold a gathering on the anniversary of the 27 February call and that Abdullah Öcalan would send a written message to the gathering.
The approach to the Öcalan reality must match the effort he has shown
Doğan answered journalists’ questions and commented on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s response to the question raised by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chair Devlet Bahceli regarding how the “status gap” of Imrali would be addressed. Dogan said, “We are not speaking only of the leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). We are speaking of a reality that millions of people accept as their leader and guide. We are speaking of a sociological, historical, and political reality. Moreover, we are speaking of a truth that goes beyond the borders of Turkey. The approach to this reality must be worthy of and commensurate with the effort he has shown up to now.”
We are speaking of a period in which people are not dying
Doğan concluded her remarks by saying: “Mr. Öcalan must now be freed from all legal and administrative obstacles before him, rather than being subjected to such debates over status, and today he is defined as one of the key actors of the process. Yes, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statements on the process and the political will he has demonstrated are, of course, very important, very valuable and very precious for the process to gain momentum, and what he will do from now on will be the same. We have always stated that we also find the interventions and precedent-breaking statements of Devlet Bahceli, as well as his insistence on this issue, to be valuable. However, one must see this: all concrete steps began after Mr. Öcalan’s Peace and Democratic Society Call. The process gained momentum from that point on. We are speaking of a completely different period. We are speaking of a time when people are not dying. This is very valuable. And he should not be approached merely as a leadership force that ensures the silencing of weapons. Mr. Öcalan does not speak only of those who lay down arms beyond integration. He articulates democratic society-based integration as a model of politics and society. He explains this. This voice must reach the public directly. Of course, the Ministry of Justice must take the necessary steps to remove the obstacles before this. But we are speaking of something that goes beyond that.’”
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