Abdullah Öcalan’s call for a ‘Democratic Society for Peace’ has been at the center of Turkey’s political agenda since February 27. Discussions on the roadmap for resolving the Kurdish issue are ongoing.

On 14 December  2024, in Istanbul’s Taksim, a group of prominent intellectuals, politicians, and activists—including Ahmet Telli, Akın Birdal, Baskın Oran, Binnaz Toprak, Cihangir İslam, Eşber Yağmurdereli, Filiz Kerestecioğlu, Fikret Başkaya, Gençay Gürsoy, Mehmet Bekaroğlu, Murat Karayalçın, Murathan Mungan, Nesrin Nas, Oya Baydar, Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Rıza Türmen, Tunç Soyer, and Ziya Halis—came together as the first signatories of a statement titled 'Silencing the Guns and Initiating a Peace and Democracy Process.' The statement was opened for further signatures.

Two weeks after the statement was released, the Imrali Delegation from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) held its first meeting. One of the leading figures behind the statement, Professor Dr. Ahmet Insel, answered ANF’s questions on the matter.

Ahmet İnsel emphasized that the concepts of peace and the resolution of the Kurdish issue are inseparable. He noted that after Devlet Bahçeli's call in October, they also initiated a petition inviting the state to engage in a peace process. Insel stated that, in retrospect, it became clear that Bahçeli’s move was part of a premeditated and coordinated negotiation process. He interpreted the fact that it was Devlet Bahçeli, rather than Tayyip Erdoğan, who made the announcement, saying: "The leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), as one of the most radical voices of Turkish nationalism, made this move to neutralize potential reactions from the nationalist camp. Almost everyone agrees with this."

How the resolution will take shape must be discussed

 Insel pointed out that despite Tayyip Erdoğan, Devlet Bahçeli, and government officials insisting that this is not a negotiation process, it is evident that a negotiation is taking place. He asked, "Otherwise, why would Abdullah Öcalan independently write such a letter?"  He emphasized that state forces are more likely to take this step due to shifting political circumstances and various strategic reasons.

He also noted that in Turkish society, there is no widespread desire for a solution to the Kurdish issue based on equal citizenship. According to Insel, the majority has yet to accept this idea. Therefore, he argued that if peace is to be discussed, the terms and nature of the solution must also be addressed; otherwise, peace will remain an ambiguous concept without a concrete discussion on resolution.

The AKP government approaches the issue with electoral concerns

Insel stated that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government views the resolution of the Kurdish issue primarily through the lens of electoral gains. He recalled that the 7 June 2015 elections served as a critical reference point for the AKP in this regard and argued that this was the reason Erdoğan halted the peace process.

According to Insel, the government has not adopted a more conciliatory tone through the media for the same reason. He explained: "If we consider the heavy ‘terrorism’-branded bombardment of the past decade, the media until very recently could not even discuss the Kurdish movement without using the word ‘terror.’ And this is not limited to pro-government media; some opposition media outlets do the same. Therefore, making a sudden shift is not so easy. That is why I believe they are remaining relatively silent, watching and waiting, trying to gauge the situation before taking a stance."

Peace and democracy are inseparable

Ahmet İnsel, when asked whether this situation should be criticized, stated that criticism alone is not enough and that certain realities need to be analyzed. He posed the question, "Can peace and democracy be separated?" and continued: "The claim that ‘peace and democracy do not necessarily need to go hand in hand’ unfortunately, and I emphasize this is a perspective that exists not only within a segment of the opposition, including the Kurdish movement, but also within a large portion of the ruling bloc in Turkey. You and I may believe that peace will bring democracy. We may even be convinced that it must. We may share the view that these two concepts have a direct and organic connection. However, I am not certain that this is a widely held belief among the majority."

A test of sincerity for a solution

Insel pointed out that Mr. Öcalan's participation in the congress, even through a video link, would be crucial and that whether the state allows this will serve as a test of its sincerity toward a resolution. He emphasized that Öcalan had set the condition of managing the congress himself for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to convene its congress. İnsel stated, "If the PKK is dissolved, then the charges against tens of thousands of individuals, including dismissed mayors and municipal council members, some of whom are in prison, due to alleged ties to the organization must be dropped."He stressed that for this initiative to lead toward democratization, the government must stop using the judiciary as a tool for punishment.

Insel further questioned whether, following a potential disarmament, opposition parties, particularly the DEM Party, would have equal political rights. He warned that if these conditions are not met, the absence of the PKK could allow the authoritarian regime to further entrench itself under what he described as the ‘monstrosity’ of the Presidential Government System.

A major responsibility falls on political parties

Insel emphasized that political parties have a crucial role in ensuring that the issue becomes a societal concern. He outlined the key issues that need to be addressed, such as the Kurdish issue, the peace issue, the resolution process, and democratization. He pointed to the Republican People's Party (CHP)'s bill to repeal trustee laws as an important step. Insel noted that since 2016, the trustee policy has primarily targeted the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and DEM Party, but later expanded to CHP-run municipalities and those won through urban consensus.

Insel emphasized the necessity of explaining the social and economic benefits that peace would bring to the public and stressed the importance of taking confidence-building measures to alleviate fears of division in society. He called on both pro-government and opposition media to be careful with their language and rhetoric. Finally, he stated: "In the coming days, DEM Party will organize peace and democracy rallies and meetings. CHP could do the same after completing its primary elections. What we need are direct, face-to-face engagements that bring these issues to the public, that speak in their language, express their concerns in their own words, and provide meaningful responses."