Cigdem Kilicgun Ucar calls for responsibility in Kurdish peace process

The Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party, the Labor Movement Party, the Labor Party, the Socialist Councils Union, the Turkish Workers’ Party, and the Free Society Party organized a workshop titled “We Gather for Democracy and Peace and Exchange Opportunities for Struggle” in Ankara. The workshop lasted two days and took place in the hall of the Mechanical Engineers’ Union.

Ucar, the co-chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, Jahed Kerkazak, and members and representatives of political parties and civil society organizations participated, delivering speeches throughout the event.

Ucar asked: “Why hasn’t the process turned into a societal path?” She added: “Support for the process exceeds 80%, but society does not trust the Justice and Development Party government. The process must shift to a societal path. If it isn’t societal, the authorities will act according to their own interests.

We must not let the process fall under the mercy of the authorities. A new balance must be created, and all parties must take responsibility. There are people in society whose mother tongue is Kurdish—either Kurmanji or another dialect—but they are not allowed to speak it. They act as if only members of the Kurdish political movement can speak. No, they should speak too. This alone shows the reason for our unity and their distance from us.”

She continued, noting that the model of Leader Apo has become a powerful influence across Kurdistan: “This force has exerted real pressure on democracy in Turkey for 40 years.

 Mr. Ocalan says, ‘Either socialism or the end of the world we live in.’ While Turkey brought geopolitical changes in the Middle East to the negotiation table in this new phase, for Kurdish democratic politics, it is not just about geopolitics. Since 1993, there has been a search for peace.

The outcomes of this process are not only peace with Kurds but building regional democracy for all citizens. Mr. Ocalan talks about communes—a stateless system where people manage themselves. He discusses ways to build communes. We must fill this project with struggle.”

 Kilicgun Ucar called on leftist socialist parties to join the process: “Support and alliance alone are not enough; you must also support and take responsibility.”

Elif Torun, spokesperson for the Revolutionary Party, expressed her support.

Co-chair Murad Jebni of the Democratic Socialist Union Party stated that the workshop aimed to solve problems: “The workshop showed that we must be united. We need a common struggle. Without the struggle of the Kurdish and socialist people, the process would not have progressed.”

Sehtab Akdag, representing the Socialist Solidarity Platform, said: “We must build organization.” Mertjan Titez of the SYKP called to defend peace: “With the unparalleled struggle of the Kurdistan Liberation Movement over 50 years, this possibility has emerged today. Leaving this process to the authorities would be a grave mistake. With Mr. Ocalan’s invitation, the process has entered a new phase. We must unite and determine methods of struggle. Common struggle is now a necessity.”

The workshop continued with speeches from union representatives.

ANHA