A delegation from Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party has concluded a significant week-long visit to the United States, engaging in high-level talks to address democratic reforms and peace initiatives amid evolving Middle East dynamics. The visit, from 22-28 June, highlights the party’s push for dialogue on regional stability and Kurdish rights.
The delegation, consisting of the party’s Co-Deputy Chair for Foreign Relations Ebru Günay, Co-Deputy Chair for Democratic Local Governments Mehmet Rüştü Tiryaki and MP for DiyarbakırCeylan Akça, met US government officials, policy experts and diaspora communities. Their discussions in Washington DC and other states focused on the progress of democracy in Turkey, the Peace and Democratic Society Process, and recent developments in Turkey, Iran and Syria. The visit highlights the DEM Party’s commitment to resolving longstanding conflicts, particularly the Kurdish issue, through negotiation and reform.
The timing of the visit is critical, as Turkey is navigating complex domestic and regional challenges. The DEM Party, which advocates equal citizenship and cultural rights for Turkey’s Kurdish minority—estimated at 15 to 20 million people—has been central to peace efforts. Recent developments, such as jailed Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s call in February for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to disarm and disband, have sparked renewed hope for ending a decades-long conflict that has claimed over 40,000 lives. The delegation’s US engagement aims to align these domestic initiatives with international diplomacy, particularly now, as regional changes, including the fall of Syria’s Assad regime, are reshaping geopolitical dynamics.
In Washington DC, the delegation participated in a roundtable at the leading think-tank the Middle East Institute, where they presented the DEM Party’s perspectives on Turkey’s political landscape and regional challenges. According to the party, the discussions placed an emphasis on solution-oriented approaches to peace and democratic progress. The delegation also met with US Senate members and State Department officials to address bilateral relations and democratic reforms, including criticism of Turkey’s ‘trustee’ policy, where elected Kurdish mayors are replaced by government-appointed administrators, undermining local representation.
The delegation visited the Washington Representation of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to discuss national unity among Kurdish communities and the Peace and Democratic Society Process, a framework aimed at resolving Turkey’s Kurdish issue through dialogue. In Philadelphia, they engaged with the Foreign Policy Research Institute to exchange views on global and regional issues. In New York, meetings with the Democratic Socialists of America focused on Turkey’s upcoming municipal elections and political strategies.
The visit concluded with discussions with US-based media outlets, where the delegation shared insights into Turkey’s political climate and the DEM Party’s vision for a pluralistic society. The party emphasised its goal of building a democratic Turkey that respects all identities, a core principle of its platform. Despite setbacks, such as the collapse of peace talks in 2015 and the imprisonment of thousands of pro-Kurdish activists, the DEM Party’s diplomatic outreach signals cautious optimism. However, challenges persist, including government crackdowns on Kurdish political figures and ongoing military operations in Kurdish regions of Iraq and Syria.
The DEM Party’s US visit builds on its legacy of advocating for minority rights and democratic governance. As the successor to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), which faced legal pressures and a potential ban, the DEM Party positions itself as a bridge between Turkey’s diverse communities and international stakeholders. Its outreach to Turkey’s key NATO ally the US reflects a strategic effort to gain support for reforms that could transform Turkey’s approach to its Kurdish population and enhance regional stability.
