The Imralı Delegation of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) shared Abdullah Öcalan’s key assessments on regional politics and the resolution process with the public. Drawing attention to hegemonic plans in the Middle East and developments centered around Iran, Öcalan said he advocates a “Peace and Democratic Society” line as a third way, beyond both the United States-Israel axis and statist approaches.
Öcalan stressed that the security of Anatolia depends on the democratization of Mesopotamia, stating that the era of armed struggle has ended and that the main issue now is the democratization of the Republic. He underlined that democratic integration and a society-based approach must form the basis of the process and emphasized the importance of conveying these ideas to the public through appropriate methods.
Sezai Temelli, Deputy Group Chair of the DEM Party in Parliament, evaluated these messages and said the government must move beyond “goodwill statements” and take immediate concrete and legal steps. He stressed that building a truly democratic republic requires more than legislation, calling for a new social contract based on equal citizenship.
Temelli described the concept of a “democratic nation” as the only viable path forward against authoritarian regimes and imperial interventions in the region. He underlined that resolving the Kurdish issue requires both legal arrangements at the most immediate level and comprehensive democratization across the entire region.
Government must take initiative and present a roadmap
Sezai Temelli said that following Abdullah Öcalan’s call for legal regulation, taking concrete steps has become a necessity. He noted that despite repeated calls and outlined roadmaps, no clear initiative has yet been taken. Temelli said: “The issue of concrete steps has now become a necessity for many reasons. When you consider developments in Turkey, regional politics, and the economic and social situation, the most urgent step today is to take concrete action. Yet despite all the calls, the proposed roadmaps and the conclusion of commission work, unfortunately no step has been taken so far. Not only has there been no action, there are not even clear statements from the government; on the contrary, confusing remarks are being made.
Therefore, the government must take the initiative, present a method to the public, build consensus around it, and then take concrete legislative steps.”
Temelli stressed that expectations regarding the legal framework outlined by Abdullah Öcalan cannot be reduced to mere goodwill statements, and outlined the necessary steps as follows:
“It was said it would happen after the holiday, but the holiday has passed. Now we hear ‘urgent,’ and goodwill statements are being made, but this path cannot be taken with intentions alone. A law must be enacted, and the method for doing so is clear: you prepare a bill, submit it to the Justice Commission, and then it is adopted in the General Assembly. At present, there is not even a concrete method for how this proposal will be prepared. We must start from the right place; in order for this bill to emerge in line with the spirit of negotiation, it is essential to urgently discuss and determine the method.”
Sezai Temelli also pointed to uncertainty within the ruling party, saying they see no indication of a concrete counterpart or preparation regarding the legislative process. He said: “We do not even know whether a draft law exists, let alone what method is being proposed. When we speak with different figures within the ruling party, we receive no concrete response. In fact, many of them are not even aware of such a process. This shows how serious the situation is. The method must be determined immediately, action must be taken, and the proposed law must now be prepared.”
A democratic republic requires more than legislation
Sezai Temelli evaluated the “Democratic Integration and Society-Based Solution” model highlighted in Abdullah Öcalan’s message conveyed by the Imralı Delegation and said: “The DEM Party has made its position clear from the very beginning; Mr. Öcalan is the chief negotiator, and this negotiation framework must be developed both legally and politically. For now, we are discussing laws on the legal level. However, building a truly democratic republic requires more than legislation. It requires establishing a social contract based on equal citizenship. This will form the most important foundation of democratic integration. At a time when constitutional debates are ongoing, it is not possible to ignore this issue; the process must be included in these discussions.”
Sezai Temelli stressed that a broad social consensus is essential for Kurds and Turks to live as equal citizens in a common homeland. Temelli said: “What is meant on the legal level is the establishment of a comprehensive social contract. On the political level, democratic integration means a new form of life in which political participation, political rights and all social rights are fully embraced and internalized by politics. Unfortunately, politics in Turkey has not yet freed itself from the burdens of the past and is unable to develop an agenda that responds to the needs of a new political era. We are facing serious difficulties at this point.”
Temelli also underlined the importance of the statements made on February 27 for the progress of the process. He said: “Despite everything, two major statements on February 27 marked important steps toward democratic integration and the democratization of Turkey. It is crucial that further steps follow one after another. The way forward, whatever it is called, lies in implementing this special ‘code law’ above all through a strong consensus.”
Freedom in the region depends on the democratic nation model
Sezai Temelli said Abdullah Öcalan’s statements are grounded in a clear and consistent paradigm that is not shaped by shifting political dynamics. He said this approach offers a comprehensive perspective encompassing Mesopotamia, the Middle East and Anatolia.
He added: “Mr. Öcalan’s statements present their arguments on a firm and unshakable foundation. This approach, which addresses Mesopotamia, the Middle East and Anatolia as a whole, guides politics from a position that defends democracy against today’s authoritarian regimes and the freedom of Middle Eastern peoples against imperial interventions. This is highly critical, because authoritarian regimes in the region deepen deadlock, while imperial powers benefit from this climate of chaos. Therefore, the only way to overcome both wars and authoritarian systems is for the region to build its own ground of freedom through the concept of the democratic nation.”
Temelli said the central struggle in the region is about transforming politics and stressed the importance of a democratic political framework.
He said: “The main struggle is to change and transform politics through this perspective. That is what we are striving to do today. Our struggle, as it has been for decades, continues on the ground of democratic politics. We know very well that the dirtiest alliance is the one formed between authoritarian regimes that evade democracy and imperial powers. Whether they are in conflict or not, this alliance is part of a capitalist world order built against the interests of the people. We are waging a conscious and long-term struggle against this order.
We are aware of the long-term nature of this struggle, but we do not neglect what must be done today. Our immediate task is to ensure that the Kurdish issue gains a democratic resolution framework in Turkey and across the region. While legal arrangements must be implemented at the most immediate level, the broader goal must be the comprehensive democratization of the entire region.”
Leave a Reply