KCK’s Besê Hozat questions Turkey’s intentions after Öcalan visit: Tactic or genuine effort?
🔴‘Turkey’s policies of denial and destruction continue unabated,’ warns Besê Hozat regarding to last Öcalan’s visit. ‘Without concrete steps, peace is just an illusion. Intensify the… pic.twitter.com/aK5l48tSYY
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Besê Hozat, Co-chair of the Kurdistan Democratic Communities Union (KCK), has offered an in-depth analysis of Abdullah Öcalan’s first political visit after 45 months of incommunicado detention, in an exclusive interview with Medya Haber TV. Hozat provided insight into the implications of Öcalan’s message and scrutinised the Turkish government’s motives.
“Öcalan’s message offers a pathway for resolution, but his severe isolation raises concerns about the Turkish state’s sincerity,” Hozat remarked. She emphasised that true negotiation requires an end to Öcalan’s isolation and the provision of conditions for free and meaningful dialogue.
Hozat underscored that the lack of lawyer visits, NGO access, and meaningful engagement severely undermines any claims of goodwill by the Turkish state. She stated, “This is not just about allowing one meeting but about dismantling the system of absolute isolation that has persisted for years.”
“One or two meetings do not change the torture system in İmralı,” she reiterated. “What is needed is consistent, transparent, and genuine action that reflects a commitment to peace.”
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Hozat linked Turkey’s policies to regional instability, explaining that “a strategy of divide and rule, pitting peoples against each other, is deepening crises in Syria, Iraq, and beyond”. She elaborated on how the Turkish government’s actions in Rojava, Kurdish-led North and East Syria, was aimed at dismantling Kurdish autonomy, reflecting a broader agenda of suppression.
“The hegemonic powers, driven by their interests, are perpetuating chaos in the region,” she said. “Turkey’s role in these schemes is clear—they are complicit in creating divisions that fuel further violence and instability.”
Hozat highlighted how these policies undermine the potential for Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood, a central tenet of Öcalan’s vision for peace. “Instead of fostering unity, Ankara’s approach intensifies hostility and conflict,” she noted.
“This is not the first time we’ve seen such tactics,” Hozat cautioned, referencing the 2013-2015 resolution process that she claimed was used by [Turkish President Erdoğan] to consolidate power. “The government’s actions continue to reflect denial, destruction, and genocide.”
“The state’s historical approach has been to exploit negotiation processes as a means of distraction and manipulation. We cannot forget the lessons of the past when promises were broken and violence resumed. Without practical steps and clear policies, this cannot be called a peace process,” Hozat said. “The Kurdish people have learned to discern between genuine efforts and tactical manoeuvres designed to sustain the status quo.”
Hozat ended with a rallying cry for greater solidarity and mobilisation. “The campaign for Öcalan’s freedom must grow stronger,” she urged. “This is not just about Kurdish freedom but about the democratic transformation of Turkey and peace for all peoples in the region.”
She stressed the importance of grassroots activism and international advocacy, stating, “Every effort counts. The voices of millions demanding freedom for Öcalan are the foundation for a broader movement toward justice and democracy.”
Hozat concluded, “Rêber Apo’s [Abdullah Öcalan] leadership is vital, and his messages carry the potential to reshape the region. But it is up to us to amplify his call and ensure it leads to concrete change.”
Read the full interview here:
