Duran Kalkan, a member of the Abdullah Öcalan Academy of Social Sciences, shared a comprehensive assessment with Medya Haber TV regarding the Peace and Democratic Society process, the decisions made at the 12th Congress of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the declared ceasefire, and the continued attacks by the Turkish state on the Medya Defense Zones. He also addressed the broader conflicts in the Middle East, including the recent Israel–Iran war, as well as democratic and social politics in the region.

Duran Kalkan emphasized the importance of pressuring the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) administration to take steps toward democratization. He underlined the need for everyone to be able to meet with President Öcalan, for the global freedom initiative to be made multidimensional, and for legal efforts to be carried out at every level.

Kalkan pointed out that the global system of capitalist modernity seeks to dismantle all political structures that emerged in the Middle East after 1917 and were based on the Soviet Union, using Israel as a strike force. He stressed that the current political architecture in Turkey is no exception to this agenda and stated: “They will not accept Turkey’s current stance either. The country will be subjected to even greater pressure and exploitation. These threats can only be eliminated if Turkey transforms into a democratic system. At the heart of this lies Kurdish freedom, along with freedom for Alevis, for women... Turkey must truly become a land of freedoms. Only then will it survive, gain strength, and lead progressive developments in the Middle East. It will remove any pretext for foreign intervention. There is no other way. If it doesn’t choose this path, Turkey will either surrender to Israeli hegemony or be forced to fight it. There is no third option.”

Duran Kalkan said that the people of Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhilat) have shown the most sensitive and conscious response to the ongoing Israel–Iran war. Calling on Kurdish movements to emerge from this climate of conflict with strength, he urged them to “build national unity around the congress.” He addressed the people of Eastern Kurdistan and said: “Society must prioritize ensuring its own safety in the face of conflict. It must strengthen solidarity and communal life, but at the same time avoid becoming entangled in such clashes as much as possible. People must act cautiously and never stray from the path of national democratic development. They should build unity among themselves, strengthen their organizational structures, and base their relationships and alliances on the creation of a shared democratic administration with all Iranian peoples.”

Kalkan continued his remarks as follows: “Firstly, I greet President Öcalan with great respect. Once again, I want to acknowledge the guiding role of the resistance at Imrali. We saw in the media that there was a family visit during the recent Eid holiday. For the first time in 27 years, he was able to meet with children.

President Öcalan kept his word. He did exactly what he said he would do. He made a call, he guided the party, and the party held its congress. It was decided that the PKK would be dissolved and that the strategy of armed struggle would come to an end. These decisions are public; the documents are openly shared with the public. The PKK followed President Öcalan’s call and implemented it. He fulfilled what he had committed to. But has anything changed in Imrali?

Before 23 October 2024, no meetings were allowed. No laws, rights, or legal standards were upheld. There was no functioning legal system, no rule of law.

It was a completely arbitrary political administration, a hostage policy. Has this changed since then? Yes, some meetings have taken place. President Öcalan’s messages have been conveyed to the outside world through these meetings. A form of dialogue has also begun to emerge.

No negotiation process exists

As far as we can understand, the situation in Imrali has not moved beyond a level of dialogue. There are discussions, a form of dialogue but no further developments. The change in Imrali is limited to the scope of these meetings. What has happened so far is, in legal terms, similar to practices in other prisons, and even less has been implemented in this case. None of these can be considered fully executed.

Therefore, it must be emphasized that there has been no progress toward the physical freedom of President Öcalan. The meetings held by the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) delegation have remained within the bounds of dialogue. Beyond that, there is absolutely no negotiation process underway. In other words, there is no initiative or advancement concerning President Öcalan’s physical freedom.

Parliament was expected to take responsibility and pass the necessary legislation. However, it has become clear that the current government, namely the alliance between the AKP and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), is capable of passing any law it wishes. Yet not even the smallest initiative has been taken on this issue. There have been a few meetings with DEM Party leaders; they only expressed hopes and wishes. While there is talk of support, no parties have come together in parliament to take concrete steps to secure President Öcalan’s physical freedom or to enact the right to hope.

Calls are still being made for parliament to take on this responsibility. But even if it did, what would happen? We remember the 2013–2014 period. Commissions were formed back then, and we also know how those commissions were emptied of meaning. It is now evident that they intend to establish another similar commission. But this one will not be a body that carries the process forward, facilitates a solution to the issue, or initiates a legal process to activate parliament. It will merely be an advisory commission reporting to the president, formerly the prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Pressure must be applied on the current government

There is no serious attitude in the AKP approach that aligns with the requirements of the situation. This shows that the current government, the AKP administration, must be forced through a struggle to take steps toward democratization. There have even been calls from Devlet Bahçeli on this matter. As I have said before, there are many fine words, but nothing beyond them. There are words, but no action. That remains unchanged. The effect of Bahçeli’s statements is also steadily declining because no serious focus is given to them. That is why it is crucial to emphasize the need to apply pressure on the current government. We must develop initiatives and actions that will exert this pressure.

This process is not just a matter between the government and President Öcalan or the PKK administration. It concerns society as a whole. What is being attempted directly affects all society. President Öcalan’s call is addressed to everyone. The decisions made by the PKK are relevant to and affect everyone. Therefore, everyone must take ownership of this process and their respective roles and responsibilities. The path to doing so lies in waging a more effective struggle. This struggle must be sustained and advanced in a way that creates pressure on the current government, particularly the AKP. Are there such efforts already? Yes, there are.

Everyone must demand to meet with President Öcalan

For example, an important campaign has been launched which originated abroad. People demanded the right to meet with President Öcalan. This is a valuable campaign. Everyone should support it. In Turkey, in Kurdistan, and abroad, everyone should voice their demand to meet with President Öcalan during this process. This demand must be declared publicly in the press. But it should not stop there; people must also submit formal applications. Everyone should do this: children, the elderly, women, men, those with official duties and those without. Everyone must make this demand. This is an essential form of struggle.

Making the global freedom initiative multidimensional is crucial

At the same time, the global freedom initiative that aims to secure the physical freedom of President Öcalan is still ongoing. This initiative must be developed and strengthened. It is as if it has come to an end, just because there have been one or two meetings, or because President Öcalan issued a call. This struggle is not being taken seriously. However, it is essential to deepen, expand, and render this initiative multidimensional. This is not just important, it is absolutely necessary.

Legal struggle must be pursued at every level

Alongside this, the legal struggle must truly be advanced. This is not about the AKP granting a right as a favor. According to existing laws, President Öcalan should have been released in the 25th year of his imprisonment. He should be free. The laws of the European Union are clear about this. These laws also bind the legal system of Turkey. It has now been 27 years, more than enough. They are dragging it out to reach 30 years, refusing to release him. This is directly tied to the situation of President Öcalan. Therefore, legal efforts must be carried out on every level. They must not be weakened or neglected under any circumstances.

Everyone should demand President Öcalan’s physical freedom

There is one more thing I would like to say. It seems like Pandora’s box has been opened on this matter. Now everyone is rising up and saying: “I want this too, and I want that.” There is a suppressed social reality, one whose rights have been stripped away. And everyone’s demands are legitimate and justified. I agree with them, I am not denying anyone’s rights.

However, if everyone demands everything at once, doesn’t that risk placing a burden on the core issue? The realization of all those demands depends on the democratization of Turkey. The democratization of Turkey depends on the freedom of the Kurdish people. And Kurdish freedom depends on the physical freedom of President Öcalan.

So let all demands be made. Let people call for democratic rights and legal justice. But these demands must be tied to the call for President Öcalan’s freedom. They must not be separated. The axis must not be lost. Anyone who demands democracy must first demand the physical freedom of President Öcalan.

Because the realization of the other demands depends on that. There are those who attempt to pursue other goals without securing this one, but that is a mistake. Such mistakes must be strictly avoided. For this reason, once again, we call on our people, our friends, all patriotic and democratic circles, and all those who desire peace, who believe in Kurdish freedom, who want to see Turkey democratized, and who seek a free and democratic life in the Middle East and the world: the struggle for President Öcalan’s physical freedom must be deepened and strengthened in this process. That is our call.