The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and the Imralı Delegation shared Abdullah Öcalan’s new message with the public during an event marking the first anniversary of his “Call for Peace and Democratic Society” made on 27 February 2025. In his message, Öcalan described the period that has passed as a “negative phase” and emphasized that the coming period should move toward a “Democratic Republic” process.
Lawyer Cemal Demir spoke to ANF about Öcalan’s new message and the current state of the search for peace.
The freedom movement has done its part, now it is the state’s turn
Demir said that the process launched a year ago has now reached a critical threshold, adding that the Freedom Movement and Abdullah Öcalan have taken vital steps for peace.
Demir said, “Undoubtedly, today marks a very critical anniversary. One year ago, Mr. Öcalan opened a historic door for peace and a democratic society. Since that day, a very serious will has been demonstrated on the side of the Freedom Movement and historic steps have been taken. However, on the side of the state and the government, unfortunately, no concrete or tangible development has taken place.”
Demir also referred to the report prepared by the commission established within the Parliament. While noting that the report contains certain recommendations, he said that it still does not present a transparent and concrete framework for the resolution of the Kurdish question.
Time for democratic integration
Demir pointed to the concepts of “integration” and “democratization” emphasized in Abdullah Öcalan’s message and said that the process should now evolve into its second phase.
Lawyer Demir said, “Mr. Öcalan has now declared that this initiative must move to its second phase. The foundation of this phase is the democratic inclusion of the Kurdish people and their institutions within the state’s legal system. We are speaking about a people who have been kept outside the law for a hundred years.”
Demir stressed that the state must place democracy at the center for this integration to take place, adding that making legal and constitutional changes within the framework of Parliament has now become a historical necessity.
Temporary law and the right to hope are the keys to a solution
Demir said that concrete legal steps must be taken to overcome the current deadlocks in the process and drew attention to the issues of a “Temporary Law” and the “Right to Hope” highlighted by Abdullah Öcalan.
Demir said, “In order for the process to move forward in a healthy way, the first point Mr. Öcalan has indicated is the Temporary Law. Those affiliated with the Freedom Movement, whether in guerrilla areas or outside, need legal guarantees to be included in the new democratic system. Following this, a fundamental revision must be made to execution and penal laws.”
Demir emphasized that the most vital issue is the “Right to Hope,” recalling that the ruling delivered by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on this matter in 2014 has still not been implemented.
Demir also said, “The fact that Abdullah Öcalan should benefit from the Right to Hope and that the obstacles before his physical freedom must be removed is the most fundamental condition for the success of the process.”
No progress without physical freedom
Demir also drew attention to the link between Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom and the peace process and said: “This process cannot move forward in a healthy way unless the physical conditions of the Kurdish people’s leader are improved and his freedom is ensured. Abdullah Öcalan’s freedom is the driving force of the process. Without his freedom, the process will inevitably narrow, weaken, and become blocked.
Today, not only the Kurdish people but also all democratic circles and our friends expect Öcalan’s physical freedom to be secured. We are at a historic turning point, and the success of this process through democratic methods depends on the courageous legal steps that will be taken.”
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