Tülay Hatimoğulları, Co-Chair of the DEM Party, has called on the Turkish government to provide the second phase of the peace and democratization process with a clear timetable and to initiate concrete steps. Speaking at her party’s parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday, the politician stated that the phase of mere declarations of intent is over. “The time for words is over; now is the time for concrete steps,” Hatimoğulları said. The second phase must be “binding, constructive, and transformative” and must not remain limited to political declarations of will, she underlined.
Newroz was a political signal
Referring to this year’s Newroz celebrations, Hatimoğulları emphasized the broad social support for a political solution process, saying that millions of people took part and sent a clear signal. “Millions have shown that they are the carriers of a democratic, just, and equal system,” she said. “The messages from the Newroz grounds were clear: freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, a democratic order, and a shared life for all segments of society. At the same time, Newroz sent a clear message to the political centers of the region. This stance is a call to Damascus, Tehran, Baghdad, and Ankara for a shared life as free and equal citizens.”
Öcalan’s perspective and political framework
Hatimoğulları also referred to the recent meeting between the DEM Party’s Imrali delegation and Abdullah Öcalan and his assessments regarding the future course of the process. She said Öcalan’s perspective opens the way for a democratic solution, as the Kurdish leader stated clearly: “The phase of armed struggle is over. The solution lies in a democratic order in which identities are freely recognized.” This line, Hatimoğulları said, opens a concrete perspective for a democratic republic and a socially rooted peace solution.
Pressure on government and parliament
Hatimoğulları expressed strong criticism of the political leadership, saying that concrete measures are still lacking despite broad social support. “The addressee of this phase is clear: government, parliament, and the state,” she said. “Responsibility now lies with state institutions to implement the process in practice. Although public support for the process is as high as 90 percent, a lack of progress could lead to a loss of trust.”
Concrete demands
Hatimoğulları emphasized that the gap between support and trust must be closed. She particularly criticized the absence of a clear timetable: “The problem is not that things are moving too fast. The problem is that there is no clear political line and no binding timeframe.” She called for a series of immediate steps: a binding timetable for the second phase, legislative measures in parliament, implementation of European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings, the release of political prisoners, and an end to trustee administrations in opposition-run municipalities. “The time for delay must end,” she said and remarked that decisions such as the continued imprisonment of political figures or the removal of elected mayors contradict a serious peace process.
Regional developments increase pressure
With regard to escalating conflicts in the Middle East, Hatimoğulları warned against further delays. Developments, particularly in connection with the war against Iran, show that the process must be accelerated, she said. “Developments in the Middle East show that we must move this process forward, not slow it down,” she said and stressed that resolving social conflicts and strengthening democratic rights are crucial to protecting the region from further escalation.
“The path is clear”
In conclusion, Hatimoğulları stressed that the necessary steps are known and must be implemented; the Parliament must act and create a comprehensive legal framework. “The roadmap is clear. What is needed now is the courage to implement it,” she said and noted that her party is ready to take responsibility. “We are ready to commit not only our hand but our entire body to a democratic solution.” The goal, she said, is a political solution to the Kurdish question, democratic rights for all, and lasting peace in Turkey and the region.
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