As part of the "Peace and Democratic Society Call Meetings," a delegation composed of Tuncer Bakırhan, Co-Chair of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), Mehmet Kamaç and Gülcan Kaçmaz Sayyiğit, Co-Spokespersons of the Democratic Unity Initiative, and Özlem Gündüz, Deputy Co-Chair of the DEM Party, visited political parties in Amed (Diyarbakır) on Saturday. The delegation met with the Human and Freedom Party (PIA), Revolutionary Democratic Culture Association (DDKD), Kurdistan Communist Party (KKP), Azadî Party, Kurdistan Democratic Party - Turkey (PDK-Turkey), and Kurdistan Socialist Party (PSK). Özlem Gündüz, who was part of the delegation, stated that the issue of Kurdish National Unity came to the forefront during the meetings.

Özlem Gündüz said that the meetings were held in connection with the “Peace and Democratic Society Call” issued by Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan on February 27. She explained that they were not only engaging with parties represented in Parliament but also discussing the call with all leftist and socialist circles, labor and professional organizations, and through public meetings. These discussions focus on informing, exchanging views and suggestions, and evaluating the course of the process. As part of this effort, the DEM Party visited some Kurdish political parties and plan to meet with others as well. According to Gündüz, no segment of society will be left out of meetings.

A stronger path of struggle was discussed

Speaking to the Mezopotamya Agency (MA), Özlem Gündüz stated that during the visits, the idea emerged that Kurdish national unity is significant not only in Turkey and Kurdistan, but also throughout the Middle East, and that it holds a decisive role in the process. She noted that the opening of the space for democratic politics presents an opportunity for political unity, and discussions focused on how this opportunity could be transformed through a stronger struggle.

Parties will fulfill their responsibilities for unity and the process

The DEM Party politician stated that the meetings were positive and the parties they spoke with highlighted the importance of unity: “They expressed their readiness to fulfill every duty and responsibility that falls upon them, both for the sake of the process and for Kurdish unity. Of course, there is also a state of waiting. There is curiosity about how the process will evolve. We held productive discussions on whether concrete steps will be taken regarding issues such as equal citizenship for Kurds, the current state of local administrations, and the mother tongue issue, and on how negotiations could be conducted and accelerated through struggle. We have held such meetings before, but we also agreed to hold them more regularly and more frequently from now on. Overall, the meetings were positive and constructive.”

Gündüz remarked that participants frequently mentioned a state of waiting from the government side and said, “There is curiosity and, to some extent, an expectation about what will happen. At this point, there is consensus that we must organize collectively and more strongly in the field of democratic politics, voice these concrete demands, and develop a method of struggle based on these demands. They stated that they would support any concrete steps that lead to success in the struggle and contribute to Kurdish gains, and that they are already giving a struggle to this end.”

Kurdish parties want to meet with Öcalan

Özlem Gündüz stated that Kurdish political parties also voiced suggestions and criticisms: “They proposed that concrete steps be taken regarding Kurdish rights, especially the mother tongue issue, in any talks to be held with the state. There were also joint proposals. As you know, Öcalan had previously expressed his wish to meet with Kurdish leaders such as Talabani and Barzani. Similarly, it was stated that it would be beneficial for a delegation, formed by Kurdish institutions and political parties through mutual agreement, to meet with Öcalan for direct discussions on the democratic resolution of the Kurdish question. We said that we would convey these proposals as well. If the channels and paths for this are opened, it would also be beneficial for them. Mr. Öcalan has generally expressed such a desire. Conducting joint discussions on the resolution of the Kurdish question would contribute to its democratic solution.”

Talks will continue

Gündüz stated that their meetings would continue, concluding:“There are still parties we have not yet met with. We will visit them soon, and from now on, we will also hold regular and periodic meetings.”