Tülay Hatimoğulları, co-chair of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, has urged the government to take concrete steps in response to Abdullah Öcalan’s ‘Call for Peace and a Democratic Society’. Speaking at a party meeting with regional co-chairs in Ankara on Sunday, she said: “We work 24/7 for peace and democracy. We expect the same dedication from the state and those in power.”
Hatimoğulları highlighted the mass participation in recent public events, including International Women’s Day on 8 March, Newroz celebrations, and the Amara march, emphasising that millions of people in Turkey and abroad have been voicing a unified demand for the release of Öcalan, leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), from İmralı Island Prison and the start of a genuine peace process. “From the Newroz spaces to the Amara march, the most powerful message was that the people are standing behind Öcalan’s call. This message was not only loud—it was universal,” she said.
Rumours of a new peace process began circulating in October after nationalist leader Devlet Bahçeli shook hands with DEM Party MPs, and called on Öcalan to urge the PKK to disarm. This prompted a series of shuttle meetings between DEM Party-led delegations and Öcalan at İmralı—the first such visits allowed in years. On 27 February, Öcalan issued a historic statement, calling for the PKK to lay down arms and dissolve, marking a potential end to decades of conflict.
Hatimoğulları criticised the government for failing to act in response to the call: “Not a single step has been taken. We see no progress, no commitment from the government. This silence cannot continue.”
She stressed that Öcalan’s proposal is not limited to the Kurdish question. “This is a call responding to the demands of the 85 million citizens living in Turkey—workers, the poor, Alevis, the oppressed and the exploited. People are hungry, electricity prices have risen by 25%, those of natural gas by 20%. Even chocolate is a luxury for some this Eid,” she said.
Hatimoğulları warned that to ignore the call for peace would be a mistake that would cost the entire country. She urged the establishment of a parliamentary commission with not merely an advisory role but with decision-making authority. “Such a commission needs to be formed immediately, with legal guarantees and the power to act,” she added.
The DEM Party co-chair also criticised increasing authoritarianism in the country. Referring to recent crackdowns on opposition mayors and youth protests, she said: “What we witnessed was one of the most significant civil disobedience actions in this country’s history. The youth boycotted the universities, there was a shopping boycott. Instead of listening, the state responded with tear gas and detentions. Over 300 young people are still in prison.”
On the international stage, Hatimoğulları expressed alarm over rising global tensions and warned of the risk of a third world war. She cited the ongoing conflicts in Palestine, Ukraine, Syria and Yemen, adding: “We are on the brink. These developments are deeply interlinked. A new wave of arms spending—including in Europe—should concern all of us. It is time to build an international, borderless peace movement.”
She criticised Turkey’s response to developments in Syria, highlighting the persecution of minorities. “Alawite and Yazidi women are being abducted and sold in virtual slave markets. The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria [AANES] has produced a social contract that offers real solutions. It needs to be expanded across Syria.”
Marking 6 April, dubbed by many in Turkey as ‘Murdered Journalists Day’, Hatimoğulları honoured the memory of journalists Musa Anter, Uğur Mumcu, Hrant Dink and other assassination victims. “They paid the ultimate price to protect the public’s right to know. We owe them a great debt. No pen or keyboard should ever be broken again,” she declared.
Looking ahead, she announced a new organisational campaign by the DEM Party. “We will reach every factory, every home. We cannot stay the same while the world changes. We are the party of the oppressed, and we are ready to pay any price for peace and democracy.”
