Following Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s “Peace and Democratic Society Call” on February 27 and the PKK’s self-dissolution on May 12, a historic development took place on July 9. 

For the first time since February 15, 1999, when he was detained on İmralı Island and held under strict isolation for over 26 years, Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan made a video statement shared publicly. 

 

Among these developments, the People’s Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party continues to bring people together locally within the scope of “Peace and Democratic Society Meetings,” socializing the process.

 

Citizens attending the meetings stated that the state must take steps.

 

Zabit Vurdu described the process as “a great opportunity” and “a source of hope” for the people. Emphasizing their commitment to work for the democratization of the country, Vurdu said, “The current government is not very skilled at solving problems. Therefore, they delay taking democratic steps and try to prolong the process. If the problem is to be solved, democratic steps must be taken. Dozens of political prisoners are not released despite having served their sentences. These people must be released in the first phase.”

 

‘IT’S THE STATE THAT MUST TAKE THE STEP’

 

Ali Şengül pointed out that the ongoing process stems from a 50-year struggle, saying, “I learned about this process through Abdullah Öcalan’s call. It became a process continuing with his statements.”

 

Stating that there are serious concerns among the public due to previous processes. Şengül emphasized other solution process in the world. “Domestic politics still sees trustee (kayyım) policies continuing. In addition, attacks against politicians, the public, youth, women, LGBTQ community, and journalists persist without pause. Naturally, this causes problems and worries among the masses in understanding the process. People have the perception that the process will not end positively. Therefore, it is now the state that must take steps. Ill prisoners and other political prisoners inside must be released. Trustee policies must end. We must avoid repeating the mistakes of the previous period. The masses must participate in the public meetings held by the DEM Party.”

 

Ali Kemal İpek expressed that in many circles, the state is perceived as not taking the process seriously and dragging its feet: “Socialist forces and all conscientious people must step up for the process to succeed. To achieve success, a strong opposition must be formed. For the process to progress more healthily, I believe Öcalan must be outside. He has stayed inside long enough. I say freedom for Öcalan. At worst, peace is better than war.”

 

 MA / Melik Çelik