The debate continues in Turkey following Abdullah Öcalan’s call on 27 February.

The chairperson of the Socialist Workers' Party (SEP), Güneş Gümüş, spoke to ANF about the call and the discussions that followed. Gümüş said that the Kurdish people have endured immense suffering and paid a heavy price in their struggle to achieve their national and democratic rights and continue to do so. She emphasized that they long not only for peace and stability but also for democratization and equality.

Acknowledging that Öcalan’s call has ushered in a new phase and that it is understandable for the Kurdish people to feel hopeful, Gümüş also stressed the need to be realistic about expectations regarding the government. She pointed out that the ruling power has lost even its tolerance for electoral democracy, stating: “Throughout this process, the government has provided no material foundation for the advancement of democratic politics, nor has it offered any legal guarantees regarding any potential agreement that may be reached.”

The influence of fascist propaganda

Gümüş pointed out the significant influence of fascist propaganda, particularly on the working-class, and stated: “The primary factor that can break this influence is the intensification of class struggle, which will foster class consciousness. Apart from that, it is extremely difficult to overcome the effects of propaganda which has persisted for many years, fueling blood feuds and sowing the seeds of ethnic hostility.”

Socialists have a historical mission

Gümüş said that socialists cannot turn a blind eye to the demands of the Kurdish people and that it is up to the Kurdish people to decide their own methods of struggle. She continued: “Socialists have a historical mission to tell the people the truth. Neglecting this duty would mean denying our own existence. At this point, critical thresholds in authoritarianism are already being crossed. Not only the right to strike, protest, and demonstrate, but also fundamental rights such as voting, being elected, and expressing criticism are under threat. For the government, even elections and the opposition model represented by the Republican People’s Party (CHP) have become increasingly unacceptable.

It is clear that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) bloc are using the judiciary to seize municipalities, isolate the CHP, and do whatever it takes to remain in power. If the government determines that it will not gain any political advantage from this process, it will not hesitate to put an end to it.”