Öcalan may call on PKK to disarm following talks in parliament

Ceren Bayar / Gazete Duvar

The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party delegation that visited outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan in prison largely completed its political party meetings by Jan. 7. 

Beginning with a visit to Speaker of Parliament Numan Kurtulmuş, the delegation started discussions with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Felicity Party, and Future Party.

On Jan. 7, they met with the main-opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), DEVA Party, and New Welfare Party (YRP) chairpersons.

According to information obtained by Gazete Duvar, during the meeting with the CHP, the delegation emphasized Öcalan’s firm stance on the need for silencing weapons and establishing a political and democratic framework. They also highlighted the historical unity of the Turkish and Kurdish peoples and stressed the importance of strengthening this bond.

The CHP delegation, in turn, shared their concerns and recommendations regarding the process with the delegation.

Reconciliation commission

The CHP delegation’s most concrete proposal during the meeting was the establishment of a "Social Reconciliation Commission" under the Parliament. Referring to a draft law submitted to the Parliament in 2014, the CHP delegation suggested that the proposal could be updated and reintroduced.

The draft envisioned a commission formed with equal participation from all parliamentary groups, tasked with receiving government proposals on resolving the Kurdish issue and being informed by relevant state institutions. 

Additionally, the commission would gather input from citizens, academics, artists, and NGOs while examining global examples. Following these efforts, the commission would prepare a report to present to the General Assembly of the Parliament. Proposals from the report approved by three-fourths of the parliamentary members would then be submitted to the government for implementation.

CHP sources emphasized that such a legal framework would secure both the process and those leading it, enhance the chances of success, and balance and monitor the strong actors involved in the process.

CHP's reservations

CHP Chair Özgür Özel has repeatedly stated, "We will not say 'yes' to anything that martyr families and veterans do not say 'yes' to." According to information obtained, this reservation was also expressed during the meeting. 

CHP sources indicated that in conflict resolution processes, the key groups to be convinced first are those who show resistance, emphasizing the importance of addressing their sensitivities.

Sources noted that it is the responsibility of the CHP, not the political parties or movements that do not support the process, to persuade these sensitive groups.

In the meeting, CHP suggested that the law proposal to abolish the trustee appointments to municipalities, which 11 political parties in Parliament agreed upon, should also be brought to the agenda. It was stated that if the government genuinely intends to resolve the Kurdish issue and is sincere, it could begin the process by bringing this proposal to the table.

The CHP delegation also reminded that a trustee had been appointed to the Mardin Municipality, where Ahmet Türk served as co-mayor, on charges of "terrorism." They pointed out that the presence of Türk in the delegation was a contradiction for the government.

Furthermore, the CHP delegation expressed their concerns about the process that started with MHP’s call, fearing it could pave the way for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to serve another term as president.

Sources from the DEM Party stated that the aim of this process is the democratization of Turkey and the end of wars and conflicts. They added, "If there is a concern that this process may serve to extend the President's term in office, anyone who carries this concern should be involved in this process and offer their support to ensure this does not happen."

Disarmament

The CHP asked whether Öcalan's call for the PKK to lay down its arms would be responded to by the entire organization and whether the call would be binding. The DEM Party delegation stated that Öcalan is ready to make this call, and that it would become clear over time whether it would receive a response.

According to sources following the meetings among parties, Öcalan has been expected to make a call for the PKK to lay down its arms not without too much delay. While there is no fixed timeline for this call, there is an expectation that it will happen after two or three visits. 

However, it has remained unclear how PKK would respond to Öcalan's call. 

According to information gathered from political party representatives who met with the DEM delegation, the delegation members did not mention any demands in exchange for Öcalan's call for disarmament. 

The delegation was careful to ensure that this process was not perceived as a bargaining one, avoiding phrases that might suggest negotiations.

Issues such as Öcalan's personal conditions, the possibility of his sentence being pardoned, or his release to house arrest were not brought up as well. 

What happens next?

The DEM Party delegation, which has largely completed its political party meetings, will visit imprisoned veteran Kurdish politicians Selahattin Demirtaş, Figen Yüksekdağ, and Leyla Güven. 

Following this, a second visit to Öcalan will take place. After this meeting, a more concrete statement from Öcalan, providing a clearer roadmap, is expected.

Ahmet Türk, who was not part of the first delegation, will also visit the prison to meet with Öcalan. Accordingly, Öcalan suggested that Türk be included in the delegation during the first visit.

Agenda

So far, the delegation has met with Speaker of the Parliament Kurtulmuş and the leaders of seven political parties. During these meetings, some of the proposals that the parties have suggested and the delegation will convey to İmralı include:

• Advancing the process under the Parliament,
• Ensuring transparency in the process,
• Establishing a Consensus Commission with equal participation of political parties within the Parliament,
• Addressing not only the Kurdish issue but also all of Turkey’s democratic challenges,
• Ensuring that President Erdoğan takes ownership of the process and plays a more prominent role,
• Erdoğan conducting a tour of leaders regarding the process,
• Paying attention to the language used and the statements made throughout the process,
• Considering the sensitivities of martyr families and veterans,
• Socializing the process and ensuring the public’s support,
• Avoiding the mistakes made in the previous resolution process.