The “Peace and Democratic Society Process” initiated by Abdullah Öcalan has now been underway for more than a year. While the Kurdish Freedom Movement is reported to have taken various steps within the scope of the process, the absence of concrete action by the government and the state, particularly regarding legal regulations, has drawn significant attention. Politicians, lawyers, and the Kurdish people emphasize that the state must take the necessary legal steps without delay to ensure that the process progresses in a healthy and swift manner.
Politician and Free Women’s Movement (TJA) activist Çağlar Demirel shared her assessments with the ANF regarding the developments in the peace process and the steps that need to be taken.
February 27 declaration is a significant turning point
Politician Çağlar Demirel stated that the developments since the beginning of the process should be addressed in a comprehensive manner and described the February 27 declaration as a significant turning point. Demirel said: “When we evaluate the period before and after February 27 together, we see that the struggle carried out for many years has evolved into a new phase. The recognition of Abdullah Öcalan as an interlocutor is not a new situation; however, at the current stage, it carries a broader meaning for both Turkey and the Middle East. The issue is no longer limited to the resolution of the Kurdish question in Turkey; it has now become a regional and even global equation.”
Çağlar Demirel also referred to the developments in the Middle East and said, “The process has reached an international dimension. When the war concept in the Middle East, the interventions of global powers, and the struggle carried out by the Kurds are considered together, it becomes clear that the Kurds are now a decisive actor in this equation. Therefore, this process is not only a matter of domestic politics but also a matter of regional peace.”
Calls were answered but the state took no action
Demirel stated that the calls made by Abdullah Öcalan were met with a response on the ground and criticized the state for failing to take concrete steps. She said, “The messages conveyed by Mr. Öcalan were fulfilled in a timely and complete manner despite the harshest conditions of isolation. We have seen that these calls were put into practice by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). This was a remarkable development not only for the Kurds but also for the public in Turkey and around the world. However, despite such a clear expression of will, the state’s failure to take a single concrete step remains a serious problem.”
Parliamentary commission important but insufficient
Çağlar Demirel stated that the commission established in parliament was an important yet incomplete step. Demirel said, “For years, we have been saying that the solution should be based in parliament. In this respect, the establishment of the commission is important. However, there are many shortcomings, ranging from the low level of women’s representation in the commission to the approach of the invited participants. Most importantly, there are problems related to language issues. The continued obstruction of the Kurdish language in parliament and the inability of the Peace Mothers to speak in their own language create a serious rupture within society. This situation contradicts the will for a solution.”
Society wants to see action, not rhetoric
Demirel stated that society is approaching the process with caution and that past experiences have created a sense of distrust. She said, “Society actually wants this process to succeed. However, it remains cautious because of what has happened in the past. People are no longer looking at words but at concrete steps. It is not the state’s rhetoric but its actions that will be decisive. So far, we have not seen a strong step in this direction.”
Legal changes have become inevitable
Demirel said that the process has entered its second phase and that legal regulations are now unavoidable. She said, “Amendments are required to the Law on the Execution of Sentences and Security Measures, as well as to the Anti-Terror Law and the Code of Criminal Procedure. Without these regulations, the path for democratic politics cannot be opened. If the withdrawal of weapons is being discussed, democratic politics must be strengthened in parallel. This is a necessity.”
Primary demand is Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom
Çağlar Demirel stated that one of the most critical issues of the process is the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan. Demirel said, “Since the very beginning of the process, society has expressed a clear demand on this issue. The most fundamental demand of society is the physical freedom of Mr. Öcalan. This demand was openly voiced in Newroz celebration areas. It is not acceptable to engage with him as an interlocutor and conduct negotiations on the one hand, while continuing the conditions of isolation on the other. If this process is to move forward, this contradiction must be eliminated. The ‘right to hope’ in the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) must be implemented. The ECtHR decisions are clear. The current form of aggravated life imprisonment is contrary to international law. The right to hope is not only legal regulation but also an important step for social peace. There is no justification for Turkey not to implement this.”
Legal steps must now be taken
Çağlar Demirel emphasized that concrete steps must be taken without delay for the process to progress and concluded her remarks as follows: “We are talking about a process that has continued for more than one and a half years. During this time, the Kurdish side has fulfilled its responsibilities. However, the state’s continued failure to take concrete steps creates a serious problem. If peace and a democratic society are to be built, this is only possible through mutual steps. It is now time not to wait, but to act.”
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