Ten days have passed since the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced the end of its armed struggle at its 12th Congress, following the call made by Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan on 27 February for “Peace and a Democratic Society.” Despite this historic declaration, criticism has grown over the government’s failure to take any concrete steps in response.

Eren Keskin, Co-Chair of the Human Rights Association (IHD), spoke to ANF. She described the PKK’s decision as a positive development and emphasized that the state must now take meaningful action.

Keskin said: “As a step forward, the law must be implemented, the pressure on freedom of expression must be lifted, and, above all, ill prisoners must be released without delay.”

The beginning of this process is connected to Rojava

As a human rights defender, Eren Keskin stated that she has always supported a peaceful, nonviolent resolution to the Kurdish question. From this perspective, she welcomed both the congress and its outcomes. She also emphasized that the Kurdish issue is not confined to Turkey alone, reminding that it concerns a people divided across four different nation-states, and that any development in one part of Kurdistan inevitably affects the others.

Eren Keskin stated that she believes Rojava has played a significant role in triggering this process. She said, “I personally believe that the state’s sense of obligation to take such a step is clearly connected to Rojava. This process did not begin simply with the idea of ‘Let the Kurds come, and we’ll make peace.’ The existence of a Kurdish presence in Rojava that can influence this side, Israel’s growing military influence in the Middle East, and the position of the United States. These factors must all be considered together. In other words, it is due to developments in the Middle East that this process was initiated. In this sense, the PKK, in accordance with Mr. Öcalan’s request, declared that it would lay down arms. This is a positive step, but the state must also take action.”

The law must be implemented

Eren Keskin emphasized that the most urgent step is to implement the law. She pointed out that the Republic of Turkey not only fails to uphold its own domestic laws but also violates international conventions it has signed and declared superior to national law, especially the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). She continued: “There is a complete disconnect between what the law says and what is practiced. We are facing a judiciary that refuses to implement even the rulings of the Constitutional Court, which, according to the Constitution, are binding on all institutions. Therefore, a state that does not apply its own laws must at least fulfill the obligations of the international conventions it has signed and eliminate all barriers to freedom of expression and association. No one should be prosecuted or imprisoned for expressing their thoughts.

Furthermore, ill prisoners must be released immediately, and all political prisoners must also be freed. The Anti-Terror Law, which functions as a tool of hostile law, must be completely abolished. The Turkish Penal Code already includes articles related to organized crime. In this sense, the Anti-Terror Law functions as a form of enemy law and must be repealed.

As a woman, I also believe that the government must re-sign the Istanbul Convention of the Council of Europe. This is among the most urgent demands. Moreover, hate speech against women and other vulnerable groups must end. These are essential steps. But unfortunately, we are still far from achieving any of them. Ill prisoners have not even been released. So, in my view, these must be treated as priorities.”

Double standards of the main opposition also fuel rights violations

Eren Keskin also criticized the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) for its reaction to the PKK’s recent congress declaration, especially for attempting to provoke a debate over the Treaty of Lausanne. She argued that the ongoing human rights violations in Turkey are also a result of the main opposition’s own stance. She said, “One side of the problem lies with the ruling political power, but the other side lies with those who define themselves as the opposition, particularly the main opposition party, whose double standards are a major part of the problem.”

She criticized the CHP’s unwavering commitment to its founding ideology, stating: “That founding ideology contains many injustices and many violations of rights. Just as I previously said that freedom of expression must be ensured, of course, we must also be able to discuss the Treaty of Lausanne openly. But the main opposition, which demands freedom from the state and government, cannot even tolerate such a discussion. In a political environment where the government and opposition are so similar, resolving core issues becomes almost impossible.

Unfortunately, the main opposition conducts its politics solely under the name of Mustafa Kemal. Whether it's the ECHR, the Istanbul Convention, or the release of political prisoners, I hear no meaningful statements from the main opposition. Yes, they voiced support for Mahir Polat because he is a severely ill prisoner, and rightfully so. But there are currently 1,412 ill prisoners in Turkish jails, and I have never seen the CHP speak out for them. They only see things through their own lens. Their double standards are clear. This becomes a major obstacle to the opposition’s ability to raise consistent and powerful demands.”

Keskin added that the CHP fails to explore new political paths precisely because of its devotion to its founding ideology and its contradictory approach. “We see actions being carried out against the government. But when we look at the language used in these actions and the slogans being chanted, we see that the genocidal ideology of the Committee of Union and Progress is being revived and reinforced. And that gives us no hope.”

Truth and reconciliation commissions must be established

Eren Keskin also responded to the recent proposal by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairperson Devlet Bahçeli to establish a parliamentary commission. She said that in today’s political environment, where real dialogue and the exchange of ideas have broken down, establishing such a commission would be a step forward. However, she underlined the necessity of also creating independent “Truth and Reconciliation Commissions” to support the process. Keskin concluded: “Truth and Reconciliation Commissions are essential in geographies where peace processes have taken place. Of course, a parliamentary commission may be established, but more importantly, we need commissions that are fully independent and led by civil society and human rights organizations. This will not be easy in a society so deeply polarized and overwhelmed by hate speech.

However, confronting the truth is essential. There is the experience of the Peace Mothers and the long-standing justice struggle of the Saturday Mothers. The perpetrators of the murders have never been held accountable. Not even symbolic steps are being taken in this direction. So how can peace be achieved? While so many people have been disappeared in custody or killed under torture, these cases must be investigated and their fates uncovered. Likewise, acts committed by the PKK that targeted civilians must also be addressed. This is precisely the purpose of such commissions. All segments of society who have suffered from war and conflict must be included in this process, and the full truth must be revealed.”