The Democratic Unity Initiative, which includes numerous political parties, civil society organisations, and representatives of peoples and faith groups, officially announced its establishment on 11 May 2025. 

 

 

Speaking to Mezopotamya Agency (MA) about the initiative’s work over the past year and its goals, Co-Spokesperson Gülcan Kaçmaz Sayyiğit said they had come together to achieve democratic Kurdish unity.

 

Stating that Kurds have historically been subjected to the imposition of “one language, one state,” Gülcan Kaçmaz Sayyiğit said the initiative was formed to build Kurdish unity in response to these policies.

 

She stated that the initiative’s administration consists of 37 people and that it has 301 delegates. Of these, 141 are from political parties and democratic civil society organisations, while others come from different faiths and national communities. She also noted that they are carrying out work in various fields against what she described as special warfare policies.

 

‘OUR PATH IS THE THIRD WAY’

 

Drawing attention to developments in Iran, Iraq and Syria, Gülcan Kaçmaz Sayyiğit said that the Middle East is being reshaped through policies led by the US, Israel and the UK. She stated that the Kurdish people have embraced the “Third Way” policy, based on pluralism and women’s leadership. She added that the Third Way policy encompasses not only the Kurdish people but all peoples of the world, especially those in the Middle East.

 

Referring to developments in Iran and the dangers facing Rojhilat (Iran Kurdistan), “The Third Way is also a remedy for this region,” said Gülcan Kaçmaz Sayyiğit and added: “The people there are struggling for democracy, equality and freedom. Turkey should both listen to and support this demand. Any positive development there will also affect this place.”

 

She said another issue they have prioritised since announcing their declaration is Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s Call for Peace and a Democratic Society.

 

She stated that Abdullah Öcalan wanted communication to be established with other parts of Kurdistan and sought to build strong ties between them. Gülcan Kaçmaz Sayyiğit pointed that the initiative’s work has also had positive effects in this regard.

 

She said the people had conveyed a message of unity particularly through their reaction to attacks on North and East Syria, and added that the initiative has been working in line with this message. She noted that while some political parties are part of the initiative, others are not, but discussions with them continue.

 

“The red line of this initiative is the rights of the Kurdish people and the peoples of Kurdistan. Our expectation from political parties is to walk this path together. Let everyone’s differences and pluralism be represented here, but let the red line be Kurds and Kurdistan,” she said.

 

Pointing to their future work, Gülcan Kaçmaz Sayyiğit said they have two central commissions, one in Amed (Diyarbakır) and one in Wan (Van), and that they will continue their activities within this framework.

She concluded: “We have held and continue to hold public meetings throughout Kurdistan and in Turkey’s metropolitan cities. We want the identity, language and culture of the Kurdish people to be officially recognised.”

 

MA / Ceylan Sahinli