Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Van (Wan) Provincial Co-Chair and lawyer Cemal Demir evaluated the second phase of the “Democratic Society and Peace” process, stressing that clarifying the freedom and status of Abdullah Öcalan is crucial for the process to move forward in a healthy manner.
Demir referred to the report announced by parliament on 18 February and said the document largely approaches the Kurdish question from a security perspective. Demir said, “Since the beginning of this process, it has been clear that the state has approached the Kurdish question within a security and terrorism framework. We see that the same approach is reflected in the parliamentary commission’s report. In the report, the issue is largely addressed through a security-centered framework and certain proposals for solutions have been presented within that context.”
Demir continued: “Without naming the issue or addressing its historical and political dimensions, a solution approach has been put forward solely from the perspective of punishment and security. It is assumed that the problem can be solved through certain amendments to the Turkish Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure. The report includes such arrangements particularly in Articles 6 and 7.”
Demir also noted that the report has sparked intense debate in the public sphere. He pointed out that many circles argue the report cannot be considered a genuine response to the 27 February call. Nevertheless, Demir said the report is not entirely ineffective and could, in some respects, provide a framework for a transitional process.
The process should develop in three stages
Cemal Demir said that resolving the Kurdish question requires a three-stage process, emphasizing that legal arrangements related to the transitional phase should be introduced in the first stage. He noted that harmonization and integration laws could come to the agenda in the second stage, while constitutional amendments should be discussed in the final phase. In this context, Demir said that issues such as education in the mother tongue, the definition of citizenship and the powers of local administrations could be addressed at the constitutional level.
Öcalan’s status and freedom are an important factor
Demir said that alongside legal arrangements, equal negotiation conditions must be created for the process to move forward. Demir said, “If Abdullah Öcalan is to take part in this process as the chief negotiator, then the physical, legal and political obstacles before him must be removed. In order to approach this issue in a healthy way and move the process forward, the conditions for communication and meetings must be eased.”
In this context, Demir stated that the prison conditions of Abdullah Öcalan should be improved and the opportunities for meetings expanded, adding that the legal basis for this is the “right to hope.”
Trustee appointments must end
Cemal Demir also addressed the importance of confidence-building measures, stating that the practice of appointing trustees must come to an end and that doing so would constitute an important step toward democratization. Demir added that the process could be influenced not only by domestic political developments but also by regional and international dynamics. He noted that tensions among Israel, the United States and Iran could indirectly affect the process. However, Demir stressed that resolving the Kurdish question should not depend on regional developments but should instead be addressed through a process conducted between Turkey’s own internal actors and counterparts.
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