Egyptian Researcher: Turkey’s inaction on Ocalan initiative hinders peace process

With the “peace and democratic society” process in Turkey facing growing obstacles and increasing questions over the future of a political solution to the Kurdish issue, our agency conducted an interview with Egyptian researcher Freenaz Atiya to assess the causes of the current deadlock and the implications of the “right to hope,” as well as the prospects for resuming dialogue between Ankara and the Kurds.

Dr. Freenaz Atiya, a political science researcher, stated that granting leader Abdullah Ocalan the “right to hope” is a highly significant step and a key prerequisite for restarting the peace process in the Middle East—not only in Syria—given that he represents a symbolic figure and the primary interlocutor of the Kurdish issue.

She added that his release is necessary, particularly as he launched an initiative calling on the Kurds to adhere to it in order to strengthen brotherhood and peace between them and Turkey. However, she noted that Ankara has not taken any reciprocal step, nor has it released him, despite there being no political or legal justification for the continuation of his detention or isolation.

She pointed out that the political justifications previously cited were linked to the conflict between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and armed presence in certain areas. However, she argued that these points effectively ended with the initiative he announced in February last year, which included the Kurdish side abandoning armed struggle in exchange for peace and a response to the call for fraternity.

Atiya said Turkey’s lack of response to this initiative raises questions and doubts about the extent of genuine political will within the Turkish state to engage with Kurds on an equal footing and to respect their rights and culture as citizens.

She stressed that securing the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan would be a crucial step in enhancing prospects for peace and a democratic solution, as it would constitute a practical affirmation of the initiative he launched, which aimed to open a new path between Turkey and the Kurds.

She explained that such a step would reflect goodwill on the Turkish side and help consolidate the peace process, whereas continued inaction would send a negative signal and suggest bad intentions, reflecting a lack of genuine political will—especially as one party has moved toward peace, namely the Kurdish side, while the Turkish side remains in a retreating and reluctant position.

She further noted that the first step Turkey should take must begin domestically, by reassessing its relationship with Kurds living within its borders so that their rights are aligned with the constitution as the primary legislative reference. She emphasized the need to amend constitutional provisions related to the relationship between the state and the Kurds, and to enshrine the principle of equal citizenship without discrimination among ethnic groups, ensuring that Kurds are not treated as second-class citizens or marginalized.

She also highlighted the importance of achieving balanced development in Kurdish regions at the political, economic, and social levels, and eliminating disparities between these regions and other parts of Turkey, affirming that all citizens are equal in rights and responsibilities.

Atiya added that constitutional change would subsequently be reflected in laws regulating various aspects of life, including recognition of the Kurdish language in Kurdish-populated areas, respect for traditions and customs, and the guarantee of education and services across all sectors.

At the external level, Dr. Freenaz Atiya argues that Turkey must strengthen its relations with Kurds in neighboring regions, particularly in Syria, noting that Ankara negatively exploited the instability during the “Arab Spring” in Kurdish areas, which led to the distortion of its image among an entire generation of Syrian Kurds.

She calls for an actual Turkish withdrawal from the areas it controls in Syria, especially those with Kurdish majorities, alongside full recognition of Kurdish rights inside and outside Turkey.

Dr. Freenaz Atiya, a political science researcher, also states that the “peace and democratic society” project faces multiple challenges in the coming phase, amid escalating regional tensions in the Middle East and the preoccupation of major international powers with broader conflicts such as the Iranian–American–Israeli confrontation. This, she says, leads to a decline in attention to other important files, including the Kurdish issue and the Turkish–Kurdish initiative.

She explains that this global distraction diverts attention and disrupts the peace process initiated by Abdullah Ocalan’s initiative, adding that Turkey is benefiting from this situation by maneuvering and buying time without real commitment to the political process.

Atiya considers this environment unfavorable for the peace process, as it contributes to obstructing it, while Turkey continues to exploit regional and international circumstances to strengthen its dominance over the Kurds.

She further adds that global economic and security crises, along with concerns over energy, oil, and the Strait of Hormuz, all further complicate the situation and negatively affect the prospects for advancing the peace process.

Despite these challenges, she emphasizes that the initiative also opens important opportunities that must be utilized by all parties supporting peace between Turkey and the Kurds.

Role of Elites and Cultural Actors in Supporting the Peace Process

Dr. Freenaz Atiya stresses the need to unify efforts among elites, academics, cultural figures, and those supporting Kurdish rights inside Turkey, in addition to international supporters, in order to push for legislative reforms that guarantee full citizenship rights for Kurds.

She points to differences within Turkish society and among elites regarding the Kurdish issue, making it necessary to mobilize these voices in support of the peace process.

She also notes that there are very positive ongoing efforts and a number of initiatives at the international level, including an Arab initiative supporting the freedom of leader Abdullah Ocalan, the “Noon” women’s initiative advocating for his physical freedom, as well as European and other global initiatives.

She adds that these initiatives must be intensified and better coordinated to avoid overlap or weak organization, with the need to mobilize support, promote the cause of thinker Abdullah Ocalan and the Kurdish issue, clarify Turkey’s position, and raise global awareness of ongoing developments, while emphasizing the necessity for the Kurdish people to obtain their rights in the countries where they live.

Atiya also highlights the importance of changing the stereotypical image promoted by Turkey, which portrays Kurds as associated with “terrorism,” “separatism,” and instability in the countries where they reside.

She calls for media and cultural work through the use of soft power to promote this shift in perception and present a more balanced and fair narrative.

Dr. Freenaz Atiya is an Egyptian researcher holding a PhD in Political Science from the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University.

ANHA