Although two months have passed since Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan made his historic call on February 27, neither the state nor the government has taken any concrete steps. Various segments of society have embraced the call and are urging the state to act.

 

Referring to Turkey’s unresolved democratic issues, Honorary President of the Human Rights Association (İHD) Akın Birdal drew parallels with the past: “They say, ‘If peace is to come, we’ll bring it ourselves.’ Back in 1951, when there was a major crackdown on the Communist Party of Turkey, writers, poets, and politicians were detained and tortured. The governor of Ankara said at the time, ‘If communism is coming, we’ll bring it.’ Today, we face the same mindset. They say, ‘We’ll bring peace, we’ll solve the Kurdish issue,’ but peace is a two-way street. Who will you make peace with?”

 

‘THERE IS A DEMAND, BUT NO DIALOGUE’

 

Birdal stressed the importance of recognizing all parties involved in the peace process and said: “Öcalan’s call had four interlocutors: the PKK, the government, Parliament, and civil society. The PKK responded immediately by silencing its weapons. But the state did not. Meanwhile, Öcalan remains isolated. That isolation must end. Communication channels should be opened, and his family and lawyers should be allowed regular visits. Even journalists should be allowed access. Unfortunately, there are no reassuring steps being taken.”

 

‘LAWS THAT BLOCK DIALOGUE MUST BE REPEALED’

 

Birdal criticized the current legal framework that prevents open discussion about peace and conflict. “To move toward peace, laws that criminalize speech and debate—such as the Anti-Terror Law and certain provisions of the Penal Code—must be repealed. Without public dialogue, how can we reach a just and lasting peace? Even peaceful protests, like the Saturday Mothers’ weekly gatherings, are met with police barricades. In places like Amed, Batman, and Hakkari, people are demanding justice for the disappeared—but there is no one listening,” he said. 

 

CALL FOR A PEACE CONFERENCE AND INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS

 

Birdal advocated for a national peace conference representing all sectors of society, and the involvement of international observers as seen in other global peace processes: “In countries like Ireland, Spain, South Africa, and Colombia, disarmament came last—under the supervision of international third-party observers. Here, we rush to say ‘Lay down your arms’ without asking: Where? To whom? And with what guarantees? We lack that third-party oversight.”

 

‘THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE’

 

Birdal called for the immediate release of ill prisoners, political detainees, and journalists, and the abolition of punitive mechanisms such as the Administrative and Observation Boards. He stressed that a parliamentary commission should be formed to guide the process.

 

Birdal added: “This is not just an opportunity for human rights defenders or the Kurdish people. It is also an opportunity for the political leadership. If the government truly engages with this process, it could help address the economic struggles of workers and retirees. The massive defense budget could be redirected to social welfare. As Kant once said, we must all ask ourselves: ‘What can I do for peace?’ We must build this process on the foundations of equality and freedom.”

 

MA / Uğurcan Boztaş