The second call made by Abdullah Öcalan on February 27 emphasized democratic integration, democratic consensus and a democratic transformation of power, and it also included a message addressed to women.
Lawyer Cemile Turhallı, Co-Spokesperson of the Language Commission of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), who closely followed the message and was present in the hall where it was read, shared her assessment of the historic statement. Turhallı said that the February 27 call resonated widely not only in Turkey but also in international public opinion, adding that the new period based on a transition from a ground of conflict to a ground of democratic politics is evolving “from a negative phase to a positive phase.” She said that democratic consensus, constitutional guarantees, free citizenship, and a women’s liberation perspective constitute the fundamental pillars of the process.
Cemile Turhallı also noted that as the historical process enters its second year, both the assessment of the first year and the content of the second call should be examined carefully. She stressed that the call offers a perspective on shared life and a shared future, saying: “Ultimately, February 27 marked the threshold of a new era. It was an important turning point of a process that prioritizes democratic politics instead of conflict, placing it at the center as both a choice and a necessity.”
The call is essentially a call for a life of coexistence
Cemile Turhallı said the call offers not only a response to the present moment but also a perspective for the future. Turhallı said, “This call is essentially a call for a life of coexistence, and at the same time offers a perspective for the future. Indeed, February 27 has marked the threshold of a new era. It has been evaluated as an important turning point in a process that prioritizes democratic politics instead of conflict, places it at the center and positions it not merely as a choice but as a necessity.”
Turhallı also reflected on the first year of the process, describing the steps taken as historic and said: “The second year of the call also requires an assessment of the one-year process that has passed. Within the first year, extremely important and historical steps have been taken. The main demand in Mr. Öcalan’s first call was that steps be taken to enable his political movement to move from a ground of conflict and violence to a ground of democratic politics, and that the movement dissolve itself, removing armed struggle as an option and making democratic politics the main preference. The movement responded to this call.”
Turhallı also addressed the scope of the second call and said that the process has a multi-layered framework. She said: “The second call is one that must be evaluated separately in this respect. Within the framework of the concept of a ‘positive call,’ Mr. Öcalan addressed the process under numerous headings and elaborated on what should be understood from this stage. He stated that the grounds of conflict must be eliminated, that conflict must cease to be an option, and that it should be transformed into a ground of democratic politics. For this, he emphasized that democratic consensus is indispensable and that democratic integration must be developed in parallel and secured through constitutional and legal guarantees.”
Structural solutions can be produced through the perspective presented
Cemile Turhallı said the second call carries “positive” content and offers a framework composed of multiple headings. Turhallı said: “When referring to a positive call, Mr. Öcalan evaluated the process under many headings. He stated that the grounds of conflict must be eliminated, that conflict must cease to be an option, and that it should be transformed into a field of democratic political transformation.
For this, he said, democratic consensus is indispensable; that democratic integration must be developed in parallel and completed with constitutional and legal guarantees. He described this as Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood but also referred to it as a form of integration.”
Turhallı also noted that a century-long issue has largely been addressed through security-centered approaches, adding that the current process has also enabled the issue to be discussed on social and political grounds.
Turhallı said: “This is such an important structural issue that it can only be resolved through constructive and well-defined policies. Producing structural solutions for a problem that has become so deeply entrenched is not easy. But the perspective that has been presented is important. The policies of denial and destruction implemented by the state for many years created the ground of conflict. Now, instead of denial, there is recognition; instead of assimilation, there is an approach that emphasizes preserving one’s identity and defining oneself through ethnic and religious belonging.”
Positive integration imposes structural transformation responsibility on the state
Turhallı drew attention to the importance of legal recognition and said: “It was stated that legal recognition is necessary by rationally acknowledging the political and sociological reality of this historical issue. It was emphasized that the constitutional solution should be addressed based on democratic integration and an understanding of free citizenship. Peace laws constitute an important heading in this regard. Within the framework of free citizenship, there are principles of constitutional citizenship and equal citizenship. No one should be defined according to their ethnic or religious identity but based on legal belonging.”
Balsak also emphasized that democratic consensus is essential and noted that the protection of identity and language rights, along with the strengthening of local administrations, are among the fundamental issues of the process. He stated that these headings impose positive obligations on the state, adding: “Positive integration imposes a responsibility for structural transformation on the state; it requires a legal framework that keeps negotiation channels open and is based on the principle of equal citizenship.”
Women are a founding will
Cemile Turhallı said that Mr. Öcalan’s perspective on gender is based on a women’s liberation approach. Turhallı said: “Within this framework, women are positioned as a founding will. The vision of a democratic society is based on equality, and the founding subject of such a society is described as the free woman who embraces women’s liberation ideology and is capable of building social equality with all its dynamics.
When the founding role of women in both the struggle for freedom and political participation is considered, it becomes clear that this has had a profound impact on socialization. It has not been easy to bring women into political and power spheres shaped by hegemonic male dominance. However, once this has taken place, the freedom movement has become socialized and has strengthened its legitimacy.”
Women must play a constructive role at the communal level
Turhallı said that Mr. Öcalan has consistently emphasized from the very beginning that the women’s line should constitute a founding will, adding that the most recent call also reinforces this perspective. Turhallı referred to the statement in the call that “Women are the most libertarian component and driving force of democratic integration,” and said: “It is stated that a process of social transformation in which women act as the leading and driving force produces legitimacy more quickly and more strongly. When it is said that women must be the driving force of democratic society, it also means that women should be the driving force and pioneers of communal society, and that women must be able to play a constructive role at this point.
The Rojava revolution was described in international public opinion as a women’s revolution. Mr. Öcalan already emphasizes that, in the face of this social reality, the path to reconnecting society with its communal values can be achieved through women. The confidence, determination and courage in Rojava have become a source of hope for many women. Kurdish women have begun to be recognized as symbols of freedom. They also became a source of inspiration for the processes that developed after Jina Amini.”
Women are the pioneers of communal society
Cemile Turhallı said that this approach, which has become intertwined with the philosophy of “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom), represents the concrete expression of Mr. Öcalan’s fundamental philosophy and has found practical reflection. She noted that the perspective which best analyzes society suggests that reconnecting with communal values can be achieved through the agency of women.
Turhallı said: “The call stated that women must be the driving force of democratic society, and that women are also the pioneers of communal society and should assume the role of construction. While positive integration and the positive phase are defined as a process that imposes positive obligations on the state, it is also emphasized that society itself is a direct party to this process. In this sense, one of the most important actors within society is women and the women’s movement. Because the women’s struggle has woven a global line of resistance through the unique struggle it has carried out today.”
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