A symposium titled “Rethinking the Process of Peace and a Democratic Society in Its Second Year” was organized in Cologne, Germany, by KURD-AKAD. The event, held at the Volkshochschule, was moderated by journalist Güler Yıldız. Participants included Foza Yusuf, a member of the PYD Presidential Council, Prof. Dr. Mithat Sancar, a member of the DEM Party Imrali Delegation, academics, and numerous guests.
“Integration is not domination but the goal of co-existence”
In her opening speech, Foza Yusuf addressed the agreement signed between the SDF and the Syrian transitional government on January 29 following clashes with HTS in Rojava and the ongoing integration process. She stated that HTS approaches the process as an attempt to establish dominance, whereas they see it as the integration of the system in Rojava and its peoples into the Syrian state.
“Women’s freedom is a red line”
Emphasizing that no agreement has yet been reached regarding the integration of the YPJ, Foza Yusuf stated that women’s freedom is a “red line.” She noted that some groups within HTS have engaged in attempts at provocation and warned against efforts to trigger new conflicts. She called for joint efforts to build a system in Syria that includes all peoples.
“Legal and political framework essential for peace”
Prof. Dr. Mithat Sancar evaluated the “Peace and Democratic Society Process” in Turkey, which has been ongoing for 16 months. He described the prioritization of disarmament in the Kurdish question, compared to international examples, as a courageous decision, and stated that comprehensive legal regulations are necessary for the process to advance.
Sancar emphasized that peace laws should not be limited solely to criminal law but must also include regulations that expand the political sphere. He highlighted the importance of reaching consensus by incorporating the views of Abdullah Öcalan in the drafting of these laws.
Noting that Turkey’s non-implementation of decisions by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the Constitutional Court (AYM) has created distrust, Sancar added that the process has not stalled but that delays have occurred in certain steps. He stressed the need for a roadmap and a timetable of steps for lasting peace.
“Neither full peace nor full war: an interim period”
Assistant Professor Adnan Çelik stated that the current process cannot be clearly defined, describing it as neither fully peace nor war. He noted that the process contains multiple internal dynamics and described today’s world using Antonio Gramsci’s concept as an “age of monsters.”
Çelik stated that since 2014, Kurds have entered a new period, which has brought them together on common ground, whether consciously or not. He added that today Kurds are united around survival strategies.
Çelik pointed out that one negative aspect of this process is the weakening of the capacity for opposition. He stated that the PKK’s step toward disarmament has not been sufficiently understood, emphasizing that it should not be seen merely as a compulsory move but as a significant strategic transformation.
With this move, Abdullah Öcalan has weakened the arguments in the hands of the state and forced it to take steps, Çelik noted. While the process may not bring peace in the short term, it opens a new field of struggle, he added, describing the situation as a struggle for survival in a context of chaos.
“Déjà Vu feeling: the 2013–2014 process”
Lawyer Mahmut Şakar stated that the current process reminds him of the 2013–2014 period. He said that developments in the Middle East target all Kurds, creating a sense of unity among them, even if out of necessity.
Şakar noted that Öcalan has been pursuing peace and solutions since 1993. Through negotiations with the state since 1999, an approach that could be called the “Öcalan Model” has developed.
He stated that Öcalan is trying to bring the process to a point where the state cannot step back, while the state seeks to control the process and achieve results at the lowest possible cost.
“Building peace requires social confrontation”
In her presentation titled “Building Peace, Constructing a Radical Future: Possibilities of Coexistence, Confrontation, and Engagement in the Process,” Dr. Özgür Sevgi Göral stated that the world has entered a new historical turning point. She noted that the crises of capitalism, politics, and masculinity are deepening, leading to multiple crises.
Göral stated that the 150-year history of the Turkish state has had a destructive character, adding that in recent years it has become even more rigid, reaching a point where it seizes institutions and legitimizes violence.
Göral emphasized the importance of confronting this reality and highlighted the critical role of transitional justice. However, she noted that this process should not be expected solely from the state and that society must also develop alternative mechanisms of confrontation and justice.
She concluded that peace is essential for building the future and that it can only be achieved through strong social struggle.
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