Former chair of the Motherland Party (ANAP), Nesrin Nas, said that the process had reached a certain point following the call of Abdullah Öcalan but emphasized the need for transparency. She said: "This issue must be brought before Parliament, and a commission should be established to outline a roadmap for the process."

Nas, one of the signatories of the declaration titled 'Silencing the weapons and initiating a process of peace and democracy,' which was shared in Istanbul on 14 December 2024, spoke to ANF about Öcalan’s call and the ongoing discussions.

Nas said that they took action and opened their statement for signatures following remarks made by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli. She explained that their initiative is aimed at finding a lasting solution to the Kurdish issue and that they continue their efforts to steer the process toward peace. She noted that the recent developments differ from the approach outlined in their declaration and said: "The government does not refer to this as a ‘process.’ In other words, they do not acknowledge it as a peace or resolution process. Instead, they call it a ‘Terror-Free Turkey.’ The government’s stance is, ‘They should lay down their arms and surrender,’ and at times, it even escalates into threats such as, ‘Either you lay down your arms, or we will bury you with them."

This issue must be brought to Parliament

Nesrin Nas stated that Mr. Öcalan’s call had brought the process to a certain stage and emphasized the need for transparency. She said: "Öcalan had also stressed transparency during the previous resolution process and stated that Parliament should be involved. However, this process is not yet transparent; we do not know the details. So far, apart from the Good Party (İYİ Parti), no political party with a parliamentary group has openly opposed this process. This issue must be brought to Parliament, and a commission should be established to outline a roadmap for the process. Additionally, to gain legitimacy in society, political parties need to step in."

The DEM Party is being left alone

Nas emphasized that civil society could play a significant role in the process but needed clearer information. She also underlined the importance of institutional politics being engaged alongside civil society. Referring to the 101 events launched by the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) to socialize the process, she stated: "The entire burden of socializing this process has been placed on the shoulders of the DEM Party. While other parties express support, they remain hesitant because they do not fully understand the details of the issue. They say that if the matter is brought to Parliament, they will take the necessary steps."

The government must stop inciting hostility

Nas stated that the government must abandon its policies of antagonizing the opposition. She said: "Considering the government's repressive policies, even saying 'This is the height of hypocrisy' would be an understatement. There is a sense of caution within society. The process must truly be made transparent, and a commission should be established in Parliament to oversee it. All opposition parties, bar associations, labor unions, writers, and opinion leaders must take part in shaping the roadmap that emerges. Their collective efforts are essential in transforming this process from a state of negative peace to one of positive peace."