As the Peace and Democratic Society Process continues, the state’s failure to take any steps has led to a deadlock in the process. Although repeated calls have been made for action to overcome the impasse and move the process forward, the government continues to leave those calls unanswered.

 

Abdulkadir Güleç stated that conflict resolution processes take time and stressed that precautions must be taken to prevent interruptions in the process. Referring to international experiences, Güleç said that when such processes stall, certain actors often step in, but Turkey has not yet established such a mechanism. He added that civil society organisations could be utilised in this regard.

 

Güleç said that resolving the issues surrounding Abdullah Öcalan’s status could overcome the current stagnation. He recalled that despite Abdullah Öcalan being held under severe isolation conditions in prison for 27 years, the process had reached this stage. Compared to the past, Güleç noted that there had been some improvements in Abdullah Öcalan’s prison conditions, including limited meetings, but stressed that these limited improvements were insufficient for Abdullah Öcalan to move the process forward.

 

Emphasising that the process must also be approached from a legal perspective, Güleç said: “Mr Öcalan must benefit from the ‘right to hope’. The ‘right to hope’ can become possible through the implementation of European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings within Turkey’s Execution Law. If this amendment is made, it will also contribute to the process.”

 

STATUS AND COORDINATION

 

Güleç underlined that Abdullah Öcalan’s role in the process must be granted legal status, recalling Turkish Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli’s earlier proposal for a “Coordination Office for the Peace Process and Politicization.” Güleç said discussions could be carried out on the basis of that proposal. “This is also the expectation of those contributing to the process, those investing effort in it, society, and the Kurdish people,” he said.

 

‘A SPECIAL LAW MUST BE PASSED FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROCESS’

 

Güleç added that another way to overcome the deadlock in the process was the introduction of a special law, noting that such legislation would formally establish the end of violence. Referring to the many concrete steps taken by the PKK, Güleç added: “What needs to be done from now on is the introduction of a special law ensuring that those who renounce armed struggle and wish to engage in democratic politics are not subjected to any criminal sanctions.”

 

Güleç stressed that political prisoners connected to the Kurdish issue, as well as those forced to leave the country, should also benefit from such a special law. He said that enabling those individuals to express their ideas and views freely was necessary for the success of the process.

 

He said: “If Turkey truly wants to escape the cycle of violence, I believe this special law must be passed by parliament as soon as possible.”

 

Güleç stressed that everyone who wishes to live together in fraternity in Turkey should contribute to the Peace and Democratic Society Process, adding that the primary responsibility in this regard lies with the government and the actors involved in the process.

 

MA / Rukiye Payiz Adıguzel