Veteran Kurdish politician Ahmet Türk has provided rare insights into Abdullah Öcalan’s historic 27 February call for the dissolution of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Turkey’s transition to democracy. He noted that, under Öcalan’s unwavering leadership, the process is unfolding more rapidly than anticipated, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape. Türk also stressed the need to secure justice for political prisoners, recognise Kurdish language rights, and establish a legal framework for disarmament.
In an exclusive interview with journalist İsmail Saymaz on Halk TV, Türk shared his firsthand impressions from his visit to Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı Prison, as part of a delegation led by the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party. Despite 26 years of imprisonment, the majority spent under severe isolation—including four years of complete incommunicado detention—Türk observed that Öcalan’s intellect and leadership remain as sharp as ever.
"We must recognise Öcalan’s role in this process," Türk stated. "Even after decades in prison, he remembers names, families, villages—everything in remarkable detail. His leadership remains strong."
The new peace process began when far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli unexpectedly extended a handshake to a DEM Party MP during the Turkish Parliament’s opening session in October 2023. Five months later, Öcalan’s landmark appeal for disarmament and political transition reshaped Turkey’s political landscape.
Following Öcalan’s statement, the PKK declared a ceasefire, accepting the call for a political resolution. The move received widespread recognition from international bodies and figures. In Turkey, all opposition leaders, along with jailed Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtaş, expressed full support for the initiative.
MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli described Öcalan’s statement as “important and valuable” and welcomed the PKK’s ceasefire as “gratifying”. He personally contacted pro-Kurdish DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan and veteran Kurdish politician Ahmet Türk, to voice support for the peace call.
Türk noted that Bahçeli, long known for his opposition to reconciliation efforts, is now engaging in “telephone diplomacy” from his sickbed—a remarkable shift in his political stance.
In the interview, Türk outlined the essential steps needed to ensure that Öcalan’s call leads to lasting peace. He stressed that symbolic gestures are not enough and that concrete actions must follow for a sustainable resolution.
One of the key steps Türk highlighted was the need for the PKK to form a legal congress to steer the dissolution process. “It is not enough to simply say ‘we agree’; a legal framework must be established through a formal congress,” he said, adding that for Öcalan’s call to have a lasting impact, the process must be institutionalised through legal mechanisms.
He also stressed the importance of securing justice for thousands of political prisoners in Turkey, emphasising that any meaningful democratic process must include their release and the establishment of a fair judicial system.
Another crucial point was the recognition of Kurdish language rights, which Türk described as fundamental to any democratic transition. “Kurdish must be able to develop freely,” he stated, underscoring the need for policies that allow the language to be used without restrictions in education, media, and public life.
Addressing Turkey’s foreign policy, Türk criticised the country’s approach to Syria, particularly its stance towards Kurdish groups. “If I were in charge, I would mediate between the Syrian administration and the Kurds to establish a democratic system,” he said, suggesting that Turkey should play a constructive role in fostering dialogue rather than escalating tensions.
Türk described these as “fundamental democratic steps,” emphasising that they are non-negotiable. He warned that treating basic rights as negotiable inherently undermines the principle that such rights must be guaranteed in any true democracy.
As peace talks gain momentum, Türk warned that Turkey faces a crucial decision. It must choose between embracing inclusivity and democratic reform or risking the loss of a historic opportunity to resolve the Kurdish issue through peaceful and political means.
"If Turkey adopts an embracing policy, it will strengthen the thousand-year-old Kurdish-Turkish brotherhood and become the strongest state in the Middle East," he said. "It could even export democracy to the region."
His remarks highlight that while Öcalan’s call has set the stage for peace, the responsibility now lies with Turkey’s political establishment to take concrete steps.
