AMED – Prominent human rights defenders and civil society representatives gathered in Amed (Diyarbakır) for the “Road to Peace: Truth and Justice” meeting organized by the Human Rights Association (IHD) on June 21-22. Participants emphasized the urgency of defining and initiating a new peace process in response to the Kurdish issue, arguing that it must be rooted in justice and not delayed. 

 

BIRDAL: EVERYONE IS SUPPORTING THIS PROCESS

 

Akın Birdal, Honorary Chair of the İHD, stressed that multiple opportunities have arisen over the years for a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue, but these have failed to evolve into lasting peace. Referring to Abdullah Öcalan’s February 27 message and the PKK’s decision to dissolve itself, Birdal noted: “Now, the responsibility for ensuring the continuity and institutionalization of peace lies with the state, Parliament, and civil society. This process must become socialized.”

 

He highlighted ongoing grassroots peace initiatives, such as a conference in Istanbul involving politicians, intellectuals, and academics from various backgrounds: “Everyone is lending their support to this process.”

 

Warning against delays, Birdal pointed to the regional instability: “We are living through a global and regional chaos. The state must immediately seize the opportunity for a democratic and peaceful resolution. Otherwise, tomorrow’s chaos may become the excuse for abandoning the process.”

 

‘A CIVIL DELEGATION MUST VISIT İMRALI’

 

Birdal proposed the formation of a civil delegation authorized to visit both Ankara and İmralı (where Öcalan is imprisoned): “Dialogue and negotiation are both struggle and engagement. A collective will must emerge from a broader civil conference that includes unions, professional chambers, intellectuals, and academics. Only then can bridges be built.”

 

He also stressed the need for a parliamentary peace commission before summer recess: “This summer is a window of opportunity. The commission could engage with all stakeholders, families of soldiers and guerrillas, victims of conflict, labor and democracy advocates, to build a shared roadmap.”

 

 

Birdal emphasized restorative justice as a central pillar: “There are many global examples, Ireland, Colombia, South Africa, Spain. What matters is intent. Will this state make peace with its people?”

 

He criticized the government's failure to implement reforms: “The latest judicial reform package was a disappointment. Sentencing laws must change, and gravely ill prisoners must be released. We need a name for the process. Is it a Peace and Democratic Society Process? A Negotiation Process? Define it.”

 

He also urged the use of peaceful language in media, warning: “We’re in Amed, and warplanes are still taking off. Each flight costs $10,000. While poverty deepens, funds must be redirected to peace and humanity.”

 

Birdal concluded with a call for political leadership: “Whoever takes the podium in Parliament must speak of the destruction caused by unresolved conflict—and what peace could bring for all.”

 

ÇELENK: CIVIL SPACE MUST BE OPENED

 

 

Tarık Çelenk, Coordinator of Ekopolitik, stressed that if the state is serious about peace, it must also open space for civil society: “Freedom of expression should be fully protected, and civil actors must be legally supported.”

 

He noted the lack of engagement from conservative Kurdish and Turkish civil actors, and called on the state to encourage their participation: “They are waiting to be encouraged. Otherwise, only a few individuals, like the academic here whose father was a martyred officer but now speaks as a dissident, can participate.”

 

Çelenk reflected on the 2013 process, when civil society was included, but political opposition parties were excluded: “Everyone had a different 'endgame'. Now the process is so secretive that we hope there are good things hidden within. But transparency will eventually be necessary so civil society knows what role to play.”

 

He emphasized that civil society groups like İHD must continue working to influence policymakers: “This cannot be resolved through politics alone. It must be solved with justice, which means respecting emotions and healing wounds.”

 

ELIF TURAN: CIVIL SOCIETY MUST SERVE AS A BRIDGE

 

 

Dr. Elif Turan from the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) emphasized the importance of listening to victims: “What we heard from families reminded us how urgent peace is. Justice is needed to heal those wounds, and that requires facing the truth.”

 

She called civil society “the memory of the cities” and said: “These organizations document and witness the past. They are vital to repair and truth-telling. Civil society must build bridges, between the people and politics.”

 

MA / Berivan Altan