Turkey is at a critical crossroads in resolving the Kurdish question, Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party co-chair Tuncer Bakırhan said on Tuesday during his party’s group meeting in parliament, as he highlighted mounting anticipation for an expected message from jailed Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. “We stand at the threshold of a new beginning that could change the fate of Turkey and the Middle East,” he declared during his party’s parliamentary group meeting.
Bakırhan’s remarks come as discussions on the Kurdish question gain momentum amid ongoing diplomatic efforts. “All eyes are on Mr Öcalan’s expected call. We are receiving messages from around the world. There is great curiosity and excitement. Millions are praying for a real solution this time,” he stated.
Öcalan, the founding leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has been held in strict isolation on İmralı Island since 1999. His communication with the outside world is heavily restricted, but periodic statements attributed to him have shaped Turkey’s political landscape, particularly during past peace negotiations.
Bakırhan insisted that a political solution to the Kurdish question is imperative, arguing that Turkish society is ready for change. “Whether Turkish, Kurdish, Azeri, or Terekeme—it makes no difference. People want peace, justice, and freedom. They want to live together without conflict,” he said.
Highlighting recent diplomatic efforts, Bakırhan pointed to a DEM Party delegation’s visit to Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), where key Kurdish leaders expressed support for Öcalan’s vision. “Our delegation met with Mr Masoud Barzani, Mr Bafel Talabani, and other political leaders. Mr Barzani explicitly stated his strong support for Mr Öcalan’s perspective on a solution. This is a historic stance,” Bakırhan asserted.
He also referenced European diplomatic initiatives by the party’s other co-chair, Tülay Hatimoğulları, stressing that the call for peace extends beyond Turkey. “We are carrying out peace diplomacy from the Middle East to Europe and even Australia. Wherever there is a Kurd, a Turk, an Alevi, we reach out to them to talk about peace and seek their support,” he said.
With mounting public interest in Öcalan’s potential message, Bakırhan challenged the Turkish government to act. “The streets are ready. Society is ready. People are impatiently waiting for peace. But is the government ready for peace?” he asked. “If they are, we can build a democratic future together.”
Referencing Turkey’s political history, Bakırhan evoked the spirit of past agreements. “The 1921 Constitution, despite its flaws, recognised local governance and cultural diversity. That should guide us. Let our path be democracy, and our guide be peace,” he urged.
As calls for a resolution to the Kurdish question grow louder, Bakırhan’s speech signals a pivotal moment in Turkey’s political trajectory. However, with Öcalan’s isolation still intact and the government showing no signs of engagement, whether this moment will lead to real change remains uncertain.
