Hüseyin Çelik, a founder member of Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) and a former minister of education, has accused the country’s state of harbouring a racist approach towards Kurds that dates back to the establishment of the republic.
Speaking on Sözcü TV’s Başkent Kulisleri programme on Friday, he argued that Turkey’s persistent opposition to Kurds gaining any form of status, whether in Syria, Iraq or beyond, ignores the ties between Turkey’s Kurds and their regional kin.
Çelik highlighted the state’s policy as a barrier to effective foreign relations, particularly in Syria, where recent shifts saw the fall of the Assad regime. “I’m sorry to say it, but the Turkish state has a racist attitude,” he stated. “I disagree with Turkey’s view that Kurds shouldn’t have any rights or power no matter where they are in the world. For example, Turkey doesn’t want Kurds to have a say in Syria, Iraq, Iran or even far-off places like Venezuela.” He pointed to “Akçakale, a small town split by the border between Turkey and Syria”, where families and tribes are divided between the two countries, to underline the need for a policy that reflects these realities.
The former minister also criticised Turkey’s broader political trajectory. He described the AKP, which he helped establish in 2001, as having drifted from its original democratic and reformist ideals. Çelik attributed this shift to a reliance on loyalty [to the president] over competence, noting that key figures like himself have been sidelined. “Of the 53 original AKP lawmakers, almost none remain in decision-making roles today,” he said, suggesting that this has weakened the party’s governance.
On domestic issues, Çelik expressed alarm at the erosion of democratic norms. He condemned the arrest of the Mayor of İstanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu and the cancellation of his diploma as unjust, linking these actions to an over-centralised system. “The presidential system concentrates all power in the hand of one man, which corrupts even the virtuous,” he warned, advocating a return to a reformed parliamentary model. He also defended the right to protest, calling public reactions to İmamoğlu’s detention “legitimate and democratic”.
Çelik’s criticisms extended to education, where he himself had served as minister for over six years. He labelled the proliferation of the religious İmam Hatip schools—now numbering nearly 6,000—as excessive and a waste of resources. “Education needs to be pedagogical, not ideological,” he strressed, distancing himself from current policies that he believes prioritise dogma over learning.
Turning to the Turkey’s Kurdish question, Çelik endorsed a peace initiative proposed by Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), calling for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to disarm. However, he noted that success will hinge on transparency and a democratic framework guaranteeing equal rights to all ethnic groups. “A truly democratic Turkey would resolve the Kurdish issue naturally,” he added, rejecting separatism but calling for cultural recognition.
On Syria, Çelik lamented Turkey’s diminished regional role. With groups like the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) negotiating with the leader of Syria’s transitional government Ahmed al-Sharaa, he noted that Turkey is reduced to a bystander. “Turkey just watches and says, ‘Oh, that’s nice,’” he said, attributing this to a flawed strategy of hostility towards some factions and overtures to others. “Turkey could have been a much bigger influence in the region if it had acted differently,” he added.
Çelik’s remarks come amid heightened tensions in Turkey, marked by protests over İmamoğlu’s arrest and a 10-day broadcasting ban against Sözcü TV. He decried the latter as undemocratic, arguing that media freedom is essential for a pluralistic society. “Silencing voices with penalties only fuels resistance,” he said.
