The echoes of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Ocalan's "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" announced on 27 February continue. Politician-writer Abdulbaki Erdogmus evaluated Abdullah Öcalan's call and the steps to be taken against it. 

 

Erdogmus stated that the struggle for peace and democracy cannot be solely on the shoulders of the Kurdish people and said, "The PKK's ending the armed struggle is a very valuable step. However, the state needs to make more explanations in order to remove any hesitations that may arise in this process and to inform the public in a healthy way. With Abdullah Öcalan's call, it is of great importance that various units, which are expected to fulfil the requirements of this call, respond to the process. This process must now be supported by concrete steps. Especially for those who have been in prisons or in the mountains for many years, concrete steps should be taken." 

 

Erdogmus stated that the new discussions on the solution of the Kurdish question would yield results with the call of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan and said, "The 2015 process was essentially a plot by the government against the people. The process was carried out in and around the context of the plot, so it was not possible to get results. The results emerged as planned by the government and Kurdish politicians and even those who took part in the process were punished. But this time there is a very different process and I think that it should not be associated with the other process. There is no similarity. With Abdullah Öcalan's call, a result was achieved." 

 

‘EQUALITY AND LEGAL SECURITY IS A MUST’    

 

Erdogmus also pointed out that the first thing the state should do is to release the prisoners in prison and said, "Can you say ‘come and make peace’ to families whose children are in prison? Therefore, the most important aspect of this process is the release of prisoners. If this is not done, more problems, questioning, unrest and internal debates will intensify in minds and heads. This may lead to a troublesome process for both sides and may increase distrust in the society."

 

Stating that what the Kurds in Turkey mainly demand is equality and legal security, Erdogmus said, ‘No step has been taken on this issue yet. As long as the Kurdish identity is not recognised by law, it is not possible to talk about equality. Turkey continues to resist on this issue and it looks like it will continue to do so. Although Turkey has suffered great losses as a state in this struggle, no steps have been taken despite the fact that Turks, along with Kurds, live deprived of democracy, law and freedoms. In other words, in order to prevent the Kurds from exercising their rights and freedoms, the Turks are also deprived of democracy and legal guarantees. This dilemma needs to be overcome. Turkey continues to resist democracy and as it resists democracy, not only Kurds lose, but Turks also lose. The struggle for democracy and law, the struggle for rights and freedom is only possible through raising the consciousness of the society. This struggle must be fought by both Kurds and Turks.’

 

‘KURDS AND TURKS MUST STRUGGLE TOGETHER’

 

Erdogmus stated that there was a general misunderstanding in the society and stressed: "Today, yes, the PKK is laying down its arms, the armed struggle is coming to an end. But as far as I can see, a new role is being assigned to the Kurds; this time the struggle for ‘peace and democracy’ is wanted to be placed on the shoulders of the Kurds. I do not find this right. It is not only Kurds who need democracy and peace, Turks need it at least as much as Kurds. For this reason, I find this obligation and responsibility extremely heavy for the Kurds. For this reason, both Turks and Kurds must struggle together."

 

MA / Melik Varol