The Democratic Regions Party (DBP) co-chair Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar spoke to ANF, providing insights into various topics, including legal and democratic issues in Turkey, the increasing pressure on the free press, the Middle East’s restructuring process, Rojava’s democratic autonomous model, and Abdullah Öcalan’s role in resolving the Kurdish issue.

The Turkish government has no intention of finding permanent solutions 

Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar emphasized that Turkey is facing a severe legal and justice crisis, which stems from fundamental issues related to democracy and judicial fairness. She stated that finding solutions to these problems should be a priority. However, she pointed out that the government has not a clear approach to these issues, as demonstrated by its recent operations targeting free press workers and, particularly last week, its crackdown on the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) and other democratic opposition parties. 

Highlighting the role of free press workers in courageously reporting on key issues affecting people in both Turkey and the Middle East, Kılıçgün Uçar condemned the use of armed drones to target journalists and the systematic pressure exerted through raids and detentions. She stated that these actions clearly reflect the government's intolerance toward democratic environments. Kılıçgün Uçar also drew attention to the challenges faced by people in Turkey and the Middle East, stressing that these issues are not persistent and can be resolved through collective struggle alongside political parties and social movements.

Autonomous Administration, a blueprint for resolving Middle East’s challenges

Describing the major developments in the Middle East as a process of war and geopolitical restructuring, Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar said that the region is both a potential epicenter of a Third World War and a critical battleground for states seeking to consolidate power. She emphasized that the continued existence of political ideologies and governance models that refuse integration into the capitalist system further increases the strategic significance of the Middle East. Additionally, she pointed out that the region's underground resources further reinforce its geopolitical importance. 

Uçar highlighted that the democratic and women’s liberation-oriented paradigm, along with the Autonomous Administration model implemented in Rojava over the past 13 years, represents a governance model sought not only in the Middle East but around the world.  However, she noted that despite this, the region continues to face attacks, creating a contradiction with any potential peace process in Turkey.

Immediate action needed to achieve a democratic solution

Recalling that the people of Rojava are holding a vigil at the Tishrin Dam to defend their Autonomous Administration, Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar emphasized that the killings of women and attacks on civilians are unacceptable. She stated that a democratic solution has now become an urgent necessity and added that how this solution will be implemented is a critical issue for all the peoples living in Turkey. 

Highlighting that demands cannot be defined within a single system, Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar pointed out that Rojava’s unique structure provides important insights in this regard. She noted that the recent discussions in Turkey have once again revealed the government’s stance on the unresolved Kurdish issue. Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar stressed that this issue is not just the responsibility of the state but a problem that the entire society must address collectively. 

Meetings with Abdullah Öcalan are of great significance

Highlighting the importance of the ongoing discussions sparked by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli’s remarks and their potential to evolve into a new process, Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar emphasized that the meetings held with Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan on İmralı Island carry significant weight for both Turkey and broader developments in the Middle East. 

She stated that the Kurdish people and the people of the Middle East recognize Abdullah Öcalan’s role in building peace and democracy.  Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar further noted that Öcalan’s freedom would make a major contribution to this process and that efforts must be made to achieve it. She pointed out that the isolation imposed on Öcalan in Imrali Prison obstructs discussions from taking place on equal footing. Stressing that Öcalan should be able to freely address the issue and be granted the necessary mechanisms for resolution, she underlined that this is a matter of great importance for all.