“We, too, want a terror-free Turkey; state terror must end,” said Helin Ümit, a member of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) Central Committee, in response to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent rhetoric, in an interview with Medya Haber TV on Tuesday. Ümit underscored the need for structural change, particularly through respect for Kurdish identity and jailed Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s role in reconciliation efforts.
Her remarks, delivered in an extensive interview, come amidst renewed discussions of peace as Öcalan is increasingly seen as pivotal in resolving Turkey’s long-standing conflicts. Ümit framed the reconciliation process as essential but conditional on ending violence against Kurdish communities and addressing historical injustices.
“Change has already taken root in Kurdish society,” Ümit said, “but this process will only succeed if it respects its truth. For a century, the Republic of Turkey has betrayed this truth.” She emphasised that for reconciliation to be meaningful, it must be enshrined in legal and political frameworks that honour Kurdish realities.
Ümit criticised the ongoing impact of state violence on Kurdish communities and reiterated the PKK’s historical legitimacy as a response to systemic oppression. “The movement emerged as a response to the denial, humiliation, and objectification of a people whose existence and values were trampled,” she stated.
Addressing Erdoğan’s vision of a “terror-free Turkey”, Ümit acknowledged a shared aspiration but highlighted the contradiction of state-led violence, declaring:
"We, too, want a terror-free Turkey; state terror must end. We seek the means for a righteous struggle. The Turkish state has escalated the conflict to its highest point, but the developments in the region are now forcing Turkey toward change."
Ümit called on Turkish leadership to adopt a pragmatic approach, recognising the shifting dynamics in the Middle East. “A wise politician seeking to make history would forge alliances with the Kurds. Everyone must respect reality and interpret history correctly,” she urged. She outlined the Kurdish Freedom Movement’s objectives, including constitutional guarantees for Kurdish identity and a free, dignified life for the Kurdish people.
Responding to criticisms that the reconciliation process could politically benefit Erdoğan, Ümit rejected the notion that engagement with Öcalan was merely a tactic to prolong his rule. “Some suggest that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Erdoğan were on the brink of collapse and that this process is reviving them. The opposition in Turkey needs to move beyond mere complaints and saviour complexes,” she said, calling for a deeper understanding of the consequences of Öcalan’s isolation.
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Helin Ümit’s comments underscore the delicate balance required for a meaningful peace process. While Erdoğan’s rhetoric aligns superficially with the PKK’s call for an end to violence, Ümit’s emphasis on addressing historical and structural injustices highlights the challenges ahead. Öcalan’s potential role as a bridge for reconciliation remains at the centre of these discussions, suggesting that his leadership could steer Turkey towards a transformative resolution.
