A conference entitled ‘Paving the Way to Peace’, organized by Social Initiative for Peace, is being held at the Eyüp Sultan Cultural Center in Istanbul.

The conference is attended by numerous politicians, intellectuals, artists, and representatives of civil society. The event emphasizes the need to rebuild the peace process and strengthen democratic solutions.

Former ECtHR judge Rıza Türmen delivered the opening speech, emphasizing the importance of social participation and democratization in resolving the Kurdish issue.

Türmen stated that peace is not only possible through the laying down of arms, but also through the elimination of the causes that gave rise to those arms, saying, “For the peace process to be successful, the people must be made the subjects of the process. If the causes of war are not eliminated, war will break out again.” Türmen stated that the repressive regime in Turkey is an obstacle to the socialization of peace and security-oriented policies must be abandoned.

Türmen remarked that the Kurdish issue is not merely a matter between the Kurds and the state, saying, “The issue is not just a problem between the Kurds and the state; it is a problem that concerns the entire country. Therefore, the solution will emerge with a common will to live together. To this end, we must find a common language for a solution.”

Referring to the structure of the commissions planned to be established in the Parliament, Türmen said that the opposition party CHP should not only be a supportive actor in this process, but also an active actor offering solutions.

A message sent to the conference by Tülay Hatimoğlulları and Tuncer Bakırhan, Co-Chairs of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), said the following:

DEM Party Co-Chairs: Peace is the establishment of a democratic, equal, free, and just life

“We are going through a period of great transformation in the world. The order established a century ago in the Middle East, the epicenter of global transformation, is crumbling. The conflicts that began on October 7 are continuing with the Israel-Iran war. The Israel-Iran war means that the Middle East will be thrown into a huge ring of fire. The immediate cessation of this war, which carries the risk of nuclear weapon use, is of critical importance for both the world and the region. In such a historic period, it is of great importance to talk about peace in Turkey. Peace is the courage of peoples to hear and understand each other and to build a common future together. Peace will come to life through the resolution of the Kurdish issue and the realization of Turkey's hopes for democratization. The suffering experienced in the Kurdish issue is not just a wound for one people, but a deep wound for the entire society. The path to healing this wound lies not in denial but in recognition, not in suppression but in democratization, not in bans but in justice. Building peace is possible by expanding collective wisdom without excluding the opposition and without multiplying injustices.

Peace is the establishment of a democratic, equal, free, and just life. Peace is too important to be left to the mercy of political institutions or those in power. In this sense, we believe that your conference will make a strong contribution to the growth of hopes for peace. We hope that your conference will strengthen democratic consensus, free politics, and universal principles of law. Every effort you make to socialize, multiply, and root peace will bring us closer to a solution. With these feelings and thoughts, we warmly greet all those who contributed to the Conference on Paving the Way to Peace, the distinguished speakers, and all participants.”

Özgür Özel: Peace is the shared responsibility of all of us

The message sent by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel stated the following: "Peace is not merely the end of conflict; it is the establishment of justice, the recognition of rights, and the creation of an inclusive social order in which differences can coexist in security. True and lasting peace is built on the principles of freedom, equality, and mutual respect. The foundation of social peace lies in pluralistic democracy, participatory governance, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights within the framework of universal values. Every step taken around these values is of vital importance for the common future of the entire society. As the Republican People's Party, we believe that the language used in this process should be unifying, inclusive, and hopeful. Speaking of peace, desiring peace, and building peace are the shared responsibility of all of us. I hope that this meaningful gathering will strengthen social dialogue, lay the groundwork for mutual understanding, and reinforce the shared will for a future of peace.

Messages of solidarity

Ekrem İmamoğlu, the detained mayor of Istanbul, Ahmet Davutoğlu, the leader of the Future Party, Ali Babacan, the leader of the DEVA Party, and the Unity for Democracy platform also sent messages to the conference.

İmamoğlu: The most important issue we need to resolve is the Kurdish question

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu said, “The most important issue we need to resolve is the Kurdish question,” adding that “peace can only be achieved through the silence of weapons and strong democratic politics.” Imamoğlu emphasized the need to take the necessary administrative and legal steps for democratization without delay, adding, “It is impossible to speak of real and lasting peace or social harmony in an environment where any segment of society is excluded and the opposition is suppressed.”

Davutoğlu present a 10-point solution proposal

Ahmet Davutoğlu, the leader of the Future Party, presented a 10-point solution proposal titled “The Kurdish Issue: Fundamental Elements of a New Democratization Process.” The proposals included a democratic and pluralistic change of mindset, a civil and liberal constitution, freedom of expression, equal citizenship, education in mother tongue, and strengthening local administrations. Davutoğlu emphasized the need to develop a Turkey-specific, inclusive, and democratic approach to the Kurdish issue.

Babacan: Solution is possible through equal citizenship

DEVA leader Ali Babacan stated in his message that the solution to the Kurdish issue is possible through equal citizenship and the recognition of fundamental rights.

DİB: Struggle against the authoritarian regime is a historical responsibility

The Unity for Democracy (DİB) platform emphasized that the struggle for peace, democracy, and social justice against the authoritarian regime is a historical responsibility.