A stark political schism over the future of the Kurdish issue was laid bare this week as a leading pro-Kurdish politician demanded renewed dialogue with imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. At the same time, sources from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) insisted that amnesty is off the table, claiming Öcalan himself has no desire to be released. The opposing statements highlight the deeply entrenched and conflicting approaches to one of Turkey's most enduring challenges.
Speaking at a rally in the eastern city of Van, Tuncer Bakırhan, Co-chair of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, sharply criticized the government for what he described as an inconsistent and faltering peace process. He revealed that meetings between a DEM Party delegation and Öcalan, who is held on İmralı Island, have significantly diminished. Citing the source of his frustration, Bakırhan stated: "Since July 25th, meetings with Öcalan have decreased. Are the gates of İmralı a faucet in your hands that you can turn on and off? Is this how we will achieve peace?" He argued that this "stop-start" approach undermines any serious effort toward a lasting resolution.
Bakırhan framed Öcalan's continued isolation as a barrier to peace for the entire country. "The isolation imposed on Mr. Öcalan is an isolation imposed on peace itself, on the hopes of 86 million people," he declared. He called for Öcalan's living and working conditions to be improved, allowing his ideas to be shared freely, which he deemed essential for any peace process to succeed. Bakırhan also urged the parliamentary "Solution Commission" to move from words to action by meeting directly with Öcalan to gain a deeper understanding of his views on the current situation.
In a starkly contrasting development, anonymous sources from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) briefed the Türkiye newspaper on the public's perception of the government's new "Terror-free Turkey" initiative. The sources acknowledged widespread public questioning about a potential amnesty for Öcalan but moved to quash any speculation about it. "No one should expect an amnesty for Öcalan. We repeatedly explain that we will absolutely not bring this to the agenda and that there are no negotiations with the organization," the sources stated, adding a surprising claim: "Besides, he himself does not want to leave İmralı."
Bakırhan also used his platform in Van to condemn the government's policy of appointing trustees to replace elected DEM Party mayors, a practice he labeled an "injustice and a disrespect to the will of the voters." He highlighted the recent dismissal of 223 municipal workers in Van following the appointment of a trustee. He demanded the reinstatement of all democratically elected officials in cities from Van to Istanbul and Adana. "These operations against municipalities must stop, and the will of the people must be returned to office," he concluded, linking the struggle for local democracy directly to the broader quest for peace and recognition.
Photo: T24