After the message from Abdullah Öcalan was announced on February 27 and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) declared a ceasefire, discussions turned to the steps the Turkish state must take. While calls are being made to establish a legal framework for the process, there is growing interest about the path to securing Mr. Öcalan’s physical freedom. Consecutive statements suggest that the process will become clearer in the coming days.

The President of the Diyarbakır (Amed) Branch of the Human Rights Association (İHD), Ercan Yılmaz, shared his thoughts with ANF regarding Öcalan’s call for ‘Peace and a Democratic Society’. He stated: ‘‘For many years, İHD has been one of the institutions expressing its views on resolving the Kurdish issue through democratic and non-military means. We have initiated various activities and vigils in this regard. We believe that institutions like İHD will have a significant role to play in this process.

On February 27, the long-awaited call from Mr. Öcalan was shared with the public, marking a new phase in addressing the Kurdish issue. What is this phase? For over a century, the state has relied on various instruments to deny Kurds their fundamental rights; violence, conflict, and what they themselves call 'terrorism.' Today, with Mr. Öcalan’s call, this instrument has been set aside, and in response, PKK swiftly declared a ceasefire. From this point forward, opposition parties and civil society organizations must do everything in their power to ensure the success of this peace struggle. This issue cannot be left solely to the discretion of the government. For a century-old problem that has seen 40 years of intense conflict and war, everyone must contribute within their own sphere, expressing ideas on how to establish lasting peace and calling on the government and political parties to take action.’’

We stand on the threshold of a great opportunity

Yılmaz stated that the process could reach its conclusion if the government takes positive steps in response to Öcalan’s call and said: “We stand at the threshold of a great opportunity. Mr. Öcalan’s call, PKK’s positive response to this call, and the widespread support it has received from the majority of political parties in Turkey to global public opinion, must be utilized to establish a lasting peace.

Over the past ten years, Kurds and opposition groups have paid a heavy price. We all still remember the atrocities committed during the periods of curfew. After the state of emergency, there was an increase in torture and ill-treatment in prisons. For the last three terms, the government has eliminated the electoral will of the Kurds through statutory decrees incorporated into municipal laws. Sick prisoners, despite being unable to meet their own basic needs, have not been released. Freedom of expression continues to face severe restrictions. All of these factors have led citizens and civil society organizations to approach this process with caution. However, it is the government and the state itself that must take the necessary confidence-building steps to eliminate this hesitation. In the short term, in order to restore faith in this process and make societal peace a reality, these painful memories must be addressed, and the state must confront its past. The government must take positive steps in response to Mr. Öcalan’s call and contribute to the process. To repair the destruction of the last ten years, decisions must be made in accordance with existing laws.”

Civil society organizations have a major responsibility

Yılmaz emphasized that many institutions and organizations, especially civil society organizations and bar associations, have a significant responsibility in ensuring lasting peace. He stated that "Civil society organizations must be part of this process because they are institutions that are deeply familiar with the demands of the people and generally carry out their work on the ground. The resolution of this issue requires a third-party perspective. If obstacles arise during this process, this third party must be able to independently intervene and call out the actors obstructing progress. Civil society organizations are among the groups capable of fulfilling this role. Throughout history, civil society organizations have always acted as a bridge to convey the expectations of society. Therefore, we see their involvement in the process as crucial. In the coming days, we will invite all civil society organizations from Kurdistan to Diyarbakır to hold a workshop on this process."