WAN – Cemal Demir, co-chair of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) in Wan (Van), said the state is pursuing a delaying policy in the process, warning: “If Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom is not ensured, concerns about the process will increase.”

 

Despite the time that has passed since Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s “Call for Peace and a Democratic Society” on 27 February 2025, no concrete steps have been taken by the state or the government. Speaking about the process, Demir said that no tangible progress has been made.

 

Recalling that Öcalan has emphasised a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue, Demir said the state had responded by establishing a commission and preparing a report, but added that no concrete advancement has followed.

 

Demir stressed that “concerns about the process will increase if Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom is not ensured,” adding that parliament must now take official steps. Referring to the European Court of Human Rights ruling on the “right to hope” regarding Öcalan, he said the process cannot progress in a healthy way without its implementation and without ensuring Öcalan’s physical freedom.

 

He said the lack of concrete steps by the state has created a climate of distrust in society, adding that repeatedly setting new timelines for the process is not acceptable. Demir said the Kurdish movement has taken all necessary steps and that people are ready to do their part for an honourable peace.

 

“From the beginning, the public approached this process with distrust. The state’s actions are confirming that distrust. There are past practices from previous solution processes. The state must take concrete steps by taking those past experiences into account and must regain public trust,” he said.

 

Demir also criticised the ruling AKP for distancing itself from the process and issuing inconsistent statements. Demir recalled that the PKK has dissolved itself and laid down arms.

 

Demir concluded: “Now it is the state’s turn to take concrete steps. Legal measures have been demanded. The Kurdish people want prisons to be emptied and the ‘right to hope’ decision to be implemented. The government must take concrete steps as soon as possible. The process must be completed without delay.”

 

MA / Bilal Babat