Kurds Demand Tangible Steps from Ankara, Insist Öcalan is Key to Peace

Pro-Kurdish voices are demanding concrete and sincere actions from the Turkish government to advance the peace process, arguing that no final settlement can be reached without the active participation of Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

In a pointed op-ed in the Yeni Özgür Politika newspaper, commentator Zeki Akıl asserts that the newly formed parliamentary commission on the Kurdish issue is failing in its duty by not consulting with Öcalan, whom he describes as the "pioneer and architect" of the current ceasefire.

The article, titled "No progress can be made without Leader Apo," criticizes the commission for listening to state representatives and various societal groups while ignoring the one figure who can best define the path to a solution. "There can be no solution without Öcalan," Akıl writes, noting that the long-standing ceasefire, which has brought relief to the entire country, was a direct result of Öcalan's calls. "If Turkey is serious about solving the Kurdish problem, it cannot make progress by keeping Leader Apo a hostage."

The piece accuses the Turkish government and its allied media of being "hesitant and reserved," failing to adopt a "language of peace" and build public trust. It argues that while Öcalan and the Kurdish movement have taken strategic steps, including ending the armed struggle, the state has not reciprocated with meaningful political or legal reforms.

As evidence of this inaction, the article points to several key issues:

Reinstatement of Mayors: It questions why the democratically elected mayors of Van and Mardin, Ahmet Türk and Abdullah Zeydan, have not been returned to their posts after being removed and replaced by government-appointed trustees. "Reinstating them would not be difficult. What are they waiting for?" the piece asks, calling the trustee system an "anti-democratic monstrosity."

Ignoring ECHR Ruling: The author highlights the government's failure to implement a decade-old European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling that would grant Öcalan the "right to hope" through a review of his life sentence.

Lack of Political Will: Beyond the establishment of the commission, whose mandate remains unclear, the government is accused of failing to take any steps to create a more relaxed political atmosphere conducive to a lasting peace and Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood.

The article concludes with a direct appeal for the parliamentary commission to "act decisively and create a situation where Leader Apo can play a more active role," framing his involvement as the essential condition for a prosperous and peaceful resolution.