Fifteen bar associations from Turkey’s eastern and southeastern provinces—regions predominantly populated by Kurds—have called on the government to act decisively to build a just and democratic order following the disarmament and dissolution of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The legal organisations, representing the professional bodies of lawyers, said the move marks a “historic milestone” and a rare chance to construct what they call “positive peace”.
In a joint declaration released on 15 May, the bar associations expressed their readiness to support a peaceful transition from decades of conflict to a democratic future grounded in rights, justice and inclusion. The statement underlined that Turkey no longer has any excuse to delay long-demanded reforms, particularly those concerning the cultural, linguistic, political and legal oppression of the Kurdish population since the establishment of the republic in 1923.
“The silencing of arms is a necessary but insufficient condition for peace,” the declaration read.
“Lasting and restorative peace requires the safeguarding of human rights, equality before the law, political participation, and a democratic legal framework.”
The declaration was signed by bar associations from the following provinces: Adıyaman (Semsûr), Ağrı (Agirî), Batman (Êlih), Bingöl (Çewlik), Bitlis (Bilîs), Tunceli (Dersim), Diyarbakır (Amed), Hakkari (Colemerg), Iğdır (Îdir), Kars (Qers), Muş, Siirt (Sêrt), Şanlıurfa (Riha), Şırnak (Sirnex) and Van (Wan). These regions—referred to in Kurdish as Bakur (North)—represent the legal voice of Turkey’s Kurdish-majority cities.
The lawyers’ associations said they view the PKK’s disarmament not only as a step toward ending conflict, but also as a call to restore the rule of law and social trust. They stated their intention to act as democratic stakeholders in this transformation and listed specific measures needed to ensure peace becomes both sustainable and just.
Key legal and political demands:
– Safeguard Fundamental Rights: Protect freedom of expression, thought, association, and the right to education without fear of repression or punishment.
– End Legal Inequality: Cease all legal practices and policies that violate the principle of equal citizenship. Implement constitutional and legislative changes to strengthen legal equality.
– Address Past Abuses: Establish independent and effective mechanisms to investigate serious human rights violations and provide justice for victims and their families.
– Restore Local Democracy: End the appointment of state trustees (kayyum) in place of elected municipal officials. Ensure local governance reflects the will of the people.
– Respect Prisoner Rights: Ensure that political prisoners—particularly those suffering from severe health issues—receive adequate medical care, and legally reassess the status of those formerly affiliated with armed movements who have laid down arms.
– Rebuild Public Trust: Implement judicial reforms to prevent the instrumentalisation of courts against political dissent and to promote transparency and independence in the justice system.
– Ensure Language and Cultural Rights: Protect the Kurdish language in education, media, and public life, and reverse policies perceived by the bar associations as cultural suppression.
A moment of political responsibility
The declaration follows the PKK’s announcement, made after its 12th Congress (held from 5 to 7 May), that it would disarm and dissolve itself as an organisation. The decision was taken in response to a peace initiative called for by Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned Kurdish leader who has been in solitary confinement since 1999.
While Turkish authorities have cautiously welcomed the development, Kurdish legal professionals argue that the burden is now on the state to reciprocate.
“This is the time to transition from negative peace, defined only by the absence of armed conflict, to positive peace, built on justice, equality and democratic inclusion,” the statement said.
