ANKARA – DEM Party’s İmralı Delegation member Ahmet Türk stated that Abdullah Öcalan and the PKK had fulfilled their responsibilities and emphasized the importance of steps to be taken by the state. "If this process is to turn into lasting peace, the state must respond to public expectations," he said.
Commenting on the decisions taken at the PKK’s 12th Congress, held following Öcalan’s “Call for Peace and Democratic Society,” Türk recalled the origins of the PKK as follows: “The PKK emerged at a time when Kurds were denied. One must view it as a development that asserted the existence of Kurds. That struggle helped form the consciousness that Kurds are a people. We must never forget that. After long years of painful experiences, we’ve come to a point where resolving problems through democracy has become more widely understood.”
Türk said: “We struggled for a long time, but in 1993, we made efforts for a peaceful process. It didn’t happen. And we wasted 32 years repeating the same things. We must reassess everything – the processes and social developments – and form decisions accordingly.”
EMPHASIS ON DEMOCRATIC POLITICS
Highlighting the PKK’s recent decisions, Türk said they contribute to strengthening democratic politics. Türk said: “The dissolution decision paved the way for Kurds to seek their rights through democratic means. There are examples of this in the world. In Ireland, they told us: ‘We struggled for a long time, but in the end, we transferred all authority to democratic politics, which enabled the peace agreement.’”
‘STEPS MUST BE TAKEN’
Stressing the responsibilities of all parties, Türk stated: “For a democratic Turkey and a democratic republic, for changes in Abdullah Öcalan’s conditions, for raising the issue of ‘the right to hope,’ and for meeting Kurds’ long-standing demands for rights and freedoms, concrete steps must be taken.”
“If a truly democratic Turkey and rule of law that embraces Kurds is not established, this could lead to increased distrust and societal division,” he warned and added: “We hope this peace process reminds everyone of the need to act with faith in peace.”
‘THE STATE’S ROLE IS ESSENTIAL’
Emphasizing that solutions cannot be unilateral, Türk said: “Mr. Öcalan made his statement and fulfilled his responsibility. The PKK has complied. Now the state must act. If the state sincerely wants this process to lead to lasting peace, it must address the expectations of the public.”
Although recent statements from the government indicate some seriousness, Türk said they fall short: “People ask whether the current government will genuinely take steps to meet societal expectations. We want to trust in the sincerity of the state. But if expectations are not met, we must not forget that chaos could return.”
‘LEGAL REGULATIONS NEEDED’
Türk stressed: “There should be new talks with groups. A parliamentary commission involving all political parties must be formed. Parliament needs to put relevant legal regulations on its agenda. Thousands of people are imprisoned unjustly. Politics based on the denial of Kurds must be replaced with one that embraces them.”
Türk stated that there is a need to improve Öcalan’s conditions and said: “His ideas will eventually influence society. Once the environment changes, he will engage in talks with civil society, with us, and others he chooses, and a roadmap will emerge. He has already said: ‘I need access to information. I need to hold meetings.’ I believe such a process will unfold.”
POSITION OF CHP
On the CHP’s stance, Türk shared that CHP leader Özgür Özel expressed full support for the peace process in their meetings. “We know he believes in this wholeheartedly. But some Kemalist circles are uncomfortable with the process,” he said.
He added, “The CHP is not monolithic. We know from experience that factions exist within it. But I believe Mr. Özel and his team are sincere. This is a peace project for Turkey. Everyone must contribute. If we rely on debate alone, the effort may collapse. We must maintain dialogue with all groups and seek their support.”
A DEMOCRATIC FUTURE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Türk continued: “We believe peace will come to these lands. The Middle East is home to many peoples, but also many conflicts. We hope this peace project contributes to all of them. Supporting a democratic future for Kurds must include Kurds outside Turkey as well. If the issue in Turkey is resolved, it will lay the groundwork for a democratic Middle East. A successful peace process here will set an example.”
MA / Mehmet Aslan