At the Newroz celebrations in Istanbul, Abdullah Öcalan’s former fellow prisoner, Çetin Arkaş, called for political action before hundreds of thousands and placed Öcalan’s peace initiative at the center. Arkaş opened his speech with a direct appeal to the social reality of the metropolis: “Welcome, the city of the displaced, of those forced into migration and compelled to come here in order to survive.” At the same time, he described Istanbul as the “city of the peoples of Turkey” and as a place of resistance against exploitation and oppression.
Abdullah Öcalan has taken responsibility
Referring to the situation in the region, Arkaş said: “The Middle East is in flames. This fire is spreading, and we cannot pretend it does not concern us. Existing political orders are on the verge of collapse, while unresolved internal conflicts make states particularly vulnerable.” Against this backdrop, Arkaş highlighted Öcalan’s role as central. “In the midst of this great fire, Abdullah Öcalan has taken responsibility and demonstrated the will for peace and a democratic solution,” he said and remarked that the perspective developed aims to counter an escalation of war and nationalism and seeks lasting peace among peoples.
Why is the state hesitating?
At the same time, Arkaş described this political step as an expression of extraordinary determination: “Daring such a peace requires great courage. Only those who have fought for dignity and existence under the harshest conditions can muster this courage.” He sharply criticized the hesitation of state institutions. “Everywhere we are asked: Why is the state not taking steps? What is still being waited for?” he said. “Waiting would only deepen existing problems and increase uncertainty among the population. Stop stalling and evading. We want to finally see the will for peace and democracy.”
Open the gates of Imrali
A central prerequisite for a serious process, he argued, is the handling of Öcalan. “The first test of sincerity takes place on Imrali,” Arkaş stated. “The doors must be opened and his status as a free person and chief negotiating partner must be clarified.” Arkaş also called for a fundamental rethinking of the Turkish state’s Kurdish policy. “The Kurdish population should no longer be treated as a threat. Instead, a comprehensive political solution must be developed that includes all parts of Kurdistan.” In this context, he also questioned whether the Turkish government is prepared to engage Kurdish actors from other parts of Kurdistan in political dialogue, such as the Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan (PJAK), which is active in Rojhilat and Iran.
The Kurdish existence is now an irreversible reality
Arkaş warned against continuing to rely on nationalist polarization: “No one should pour oil on the fire of a conflict that pits peoples against one another. Instead, a new political language must be developed based on respect, dialogue, and mutual recognition.”
Arkaş emphasized the growing political role of the Kurdish population, saying: “The Kurdish existence is now an irreversible reality. Kurds have become a decisive political force: in their homeland, in the metropolises, and in the diaspora.”
In conclusion, Arkaş addressed an appeal to the societies of the region: “We call on all peoples and faith communities of the Middle East: take this hand. Come together on this basis.” Peace, he stressed, requires courage—not only in war, but also in political transformation. “We will succeed, together we will succeed,” Arkaş concluded his speech.