Özgür Özel, chairman of Turkey’s main opposition Republican Peoples’ Party (CHP), has responded to the landmark statement made by imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, condemning Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s handling of the issue. Speaking after a meeting with Fatih Erbakan, leader of the New Welfare Party (YRP), Özel emphasised the need for an inclusive and transparent parliamentary process to address Turkey’s Kurdish question.
Özel accused Erdoğan of conducting secret negotiations for over a year while strategically distancing himself from any potential political risks. “You cannot insult the intelligence of the nation like this. If you are engaged in a process, you must take responsibility and show courage,” Özel stated. He insisted that any solution must involve all political parties and civil society organisations, stressing that genuine democratic reform is essential for lasting peace.
A ‘dishonest political game’
Highlighting Erdoğan’s contradictory stance, Özel remarked, “One moment, you are deeply involved in negotiations. The next, you claim ignorance. This political game is both dishonest and unacceptable.” He further accused Erdoğan of exploiting the Kurdish issue for political gain while refusing to make a clear commitment.
Reaffirming CHP’s position, Özel declared, “If this process can put an end to bloodshed, ensure equal citizenship for Kurds, and prevent further suffering, we support it. But Erdoğan’s secretive dealings and political opportunism cannot be trusted.”
As the debate intensifies, Erdoğan’s response to these criticisms remains to be seen.
Reigniting political debate
Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has spent the past 26 years in detention, mostly under conditions of absolute isolation. For the last four years, he has been held in complete incommunicado detention, with no contact with the outside world. However, a new reconciliation process began last October, marking a significant shift in Turkey’s long-standing Kurdish conflict.
In a historic development yesterday, Öcalan called for the dissolution of the PKK, advocating for disarmament and urging a democratic transformation in Turkey. His statement has reignited political debate, with opposition leaders questioning the government’s transparency and handling of the process.
PKK urged to dissolve as Öcalan takes responsibility for new era of peaceDie Linke’s co-chair calls for Öcalan’s release, urges German government to lift PKK banÖcalan’s historic call will be watched on giant screens all over KurdistanSDF Commander Mazloum Abdi and AANES’s Salih Muslim back Öcalan’s call for PKK disarmament
