AMED – Ercan Yılmaz, President of the Amed (Diyarbakır) branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD), emphasized that the Parliament must play a leading role in resolving the Kurdish issue, adding, “Integration laws to be prepared must also meet the actual needs.”

 

The Peace and Democratic Society Process initiated by Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan entered a new phase when the Kurdish Freedom Movement announced on October 26 in Qandil that it had begun withdrawing its forces from Turkey and Kurdistan. Following this step, attention once again turned to the concrete actions the state and government would take.

 

Yılmaz, who participated in both the parliamentary commission hearings and the July 11 weapons destruction ceremony in Sulaymaniyah in the Kurdistan Region, shared his assessment of developments in the process.

 

Yılmaz underlined that steps taken for solving the Kurdish issue are significant and indicate that many obstacles are slowly being overcome. Recalling previous attempts at resolution, he noted that past measures did not result in lasting peace. “We hope that a legal framework covering all PKK militants who destroyed weapons on July 11 and withdrew from Turkey on October 26 will be prepared soon,” he said.

 

‘THE COMMISSION SHOULD MEET OCALAN’

 

Highlighting the importance of more than a year without loss of life, Yılmaz stressed that understanding the perspectives of both conflicting parties is crucial. 

He noted that Abdullah Öcalan, as a key actor in the process, should be directly consulted: “Since he played a serious role in initiating this process, the parliamentary commission should meet directly with Mr. Öcalan. There are two parties here: the PKK and the state. The Turkish state was represented at the ministerial level. The heads of MIT, Justice, and Foreign Ministries expressed their views and proposals. The commission should hear from Öcalan about why the Kurdish issue escalated into violence and the root causes. Only then can healthy steps be taken. We value the commission receiving Mr. Öcalan’s opinions and suggestions on the process.”

 

‘PARLIAMENT MUST TAKE A LEADING ROLE’

 

Commenting on the steps needed following the Kurdish Freedom Movement’s withdrawal, Yılmaz stressed that Parliament, as a key actor behind the emergence of the Kurdish issue, must enact laws in accordance with universal human rights.

 

He said: “The first and urgent step should be creating conditions for PKK militants to reintegrate into society, the country, and their families. If negotiation and peace are to be discussed, the legal regulations must be accepted by both sides and not cause discomfort.”

 

‘NO LIMITATIONS SHOULD BE IMPOSED’

 

Yılmaz emphasized that no restrictions should be imposed in laws covering PKK militants: “There is public debate about distinguishing between individuals who took part in actions and senior cadres. This would seriously undermine trust, belief, and progress in the process. A peaceful law covering everyone identifying as PKK and contributing to resolving the Kurdish issue must be drafted. Integration laws must genuinely meet needs. Classic state thinking, existential fears, or pride should not guide the process.”

 

‘DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC EMPHASIS’

 

Recalling Öcalan’s statements that legal recognition would strengthen the legal foundations of a Democratic Republic, Yılmaz said: “Since the 1924 Constitution, Turkey has had a state system in which minorities never felt they belonged. This has intensified over time through laws and administrative practices. The state has discriminated against groups beyond Turks and Sunnis. If the republic becomes democratic, the Kurdish issue will advance significantly. Democratization means creating an environment where every citizen within Turkey feels a sense of belonging. Past anti-democratic practices must be confronted and prevented from repeating, building a system for the next century. This can begin by recognizing the Kurdish reality and identity.”

 

Yılmaz also criticized repressive laws and constitutional amendments in Turkey that restricted Kurds’ basic rights and later affected other marginalized groups. He stressed that sincere steps toward a Democratic Republic would have significant effects on Turkey’s future. 

 

MA / Rukiye Payiz Adıguzel