In his call for “Peace and a Democratic Society” Kurdish People’s leader Abdullah Öcalan takes responsibility for initiating a new era of democratization in Turkey through the resolution of centuries-old Kurdish Question.
On the 27th of February, The DEM Parti Imrali Delegation met with Öcalan for a third time. The delegation consisted of seven people, including the DEM MPs Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder, who were already involved in the talks between the Turkish state and Abdullah Öcalan between 2013 and 2015. They will be accompanied by the two co-chairs of the DEM Party, Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan, DEM faction member Cengiz Çiçek, the deposed mayor of Mêrdîn (tr. Mardin), Ahmet Türk, and Mr. Öcalan’s lawyer Faik Özgür Erol. Following the meeting, a press conference was held in Istanbul, in which a letter from Öcalan was read by members of the delegation.
The delegation thanked Abdullah Öcalan and all parties that contributed to the process.
In the call, Öcalan analyses the history of the PKK and Turkish-Kurdish relations, the historical necessity for the emergence of such a struggle due to attacks from capitalist modernity and class-based interests that sought to drive a wedge between the two historically connected peoples, and the limitations of political approaches to date. Looking to the future, he stresses that the main task ahead, and towards the democratization of Turkey, is “to restructure the historical relationship” between peoples “without excluding consideration for beliefs in the spirit of fraternity.” Öcalan proposes:
”Respect for identities, the right to free expression, and the ability to organise democratically—allowing every segment of society to shape its own socio-economic and political structures—can only be realised through the existence of a democratic society and political space.
The second century of the Republic can achieve and assure permanent and fraternal continuity only if it is crowned with democracy. There is no alternative to democracy in the pursuit and realization of a political system. Democratic consensus is the fundamental way.”
In this spirit, Öcalan takes the historical responsibility to call for the laying down of arms and dissolution of the PKK, to be discussed and decided on in a Congress of the PKK.
Öcalan’s additional note conveyed via the İmralı Delegation: “Undoubtedly, the laying down of arms and the dissolution of the PKK in practice require the recognition of democratic politics and a legal framework.”
This call comes within the framework of previous statements by Mr. Öcalan, that if the necessary conditions are met, he is ready to work towards a peaceful, political resolution to the Kurdish Question. The DEM Party and other prominent figures have argues that such conditions by necessity involve a ceasefire on the part of the Turkish state, the creation of a parliamentary committee to follow the peace process, and that Öcalan must be released from isolation in order to be able to actively participate in this process.
To this effect, PKK’s Executive Committee member Murat Karayılan stated in a recent interview that such a process could take months, if not years, and would only be possible if Abdullah Öcalan was able to communicate freely with the PKK. He further adds: “how can we put disarmament on our agenda here as long as there is no ceasefire? The ground needs to be created first. How can the ground be created? First, there can be a bilateral ceasefire.”
The ongoing repression against the opposition in the country, the dismissal of more mayors in Kurdish cities and the appointment of administrators in their place had raised doubts in advance as to whether the Turkish government was serious about its willingness to engage in dialogue.
However, if there is indeed a ceasefire between Turkey and the PKK, it would have far-reaching implications for neighboring Syria and Iraq, as well as the broader region.
Support for Öcalan’s call voiced by key leaders and organizations
National and international institutions, parties, and organizations shared statements and voiced their support for Öcalan’s historic call. We again call on all democratic forces, European institutions and the international community to support this process. Further, we urge that all sanctions are lifted against the Kurds and Kurdish institutions.
The possibility for a peaceful, democratic solution to the Kurdish question, and the democratization of Turkey seems increasingly within reach. However, efforts will be needed from all parties involved to realize the potential of this historic moment for all peoples’ of the region.