Farhad Tilo: Turkish hostility seeks to undermine democratic dialogue

Farhad Tilo, the Secretary-General of the Kurdistan Liberal Party, said in a statement to ANHA agency: “The hostile language used by the Turkish authorities against the Kurds exposes the falseness of their talk about peace,” affirming that the real solution lies in adopting the Democratic Nation project, which is based on mutual recognition among peoples.

Tilo added that such language is not new among Turkish parties, but it has notably escalated after the appeal made by Mr. Abdullah Ocalan, which shows a lack of respect for cultural and identity diversity within Turkey, especially regarding the Kurdish issue.

He explained that what is known as the “deep state” in Turkey is the real power managing internal politics, creating crises and divisions among the region’s peoples. He pointed out that one of the main expressions of this mentality is the continued hostility toward Kurdish existence—whether cultural, political, or human rights-related—attempting to erase Kurdish rights for centuries.

Tilo noted that Turkey is a mosaic of cultures and identities—Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, Greeks, and Laz—and that it was built on the ruins of these diverse cultures. With the establishment of the Kurdistan Freedom Movement and its ongoing struggle, the Kurds have managed to stand firm and demand their rights despite repeated uprisings against Turkish authorities.

He reaffirmed his party’s stance rejecting hate speech and incitement against peoples, emphasizing that Kurdish parties do not adopt anti-Turkish policies in their programs but rather strive to establish security and promote peace and democracy—where everyone can enjoy their identity and rights, and dialogue prevails among all. “We are neighbors, and hostility solves nothing. What’s needed is to reject hatred and build a mindset based on democratic nationhood, peace, and fraternity within Turkey,” he said.

Tilo added that his party’s vision does not differ much from other Kurdish parties, except for its focus on individual freedom and the freedom of leader Abdullah Öcalan. He noted: “Some Kurdish parties may fear the repressive policies of the Turkish state, but I believe they can transform the authoritarian mindset—this requires strong will, open-minded thinking, and using media to reach out to Turks who support dialogue.”

He stressed that for decades, the Turkish state has tried to erase and deny Kurdish identity and rights, but it now realizes that the Kurdish people cannot be denied—their language and spirit cannot be destroyed. “The inciting discourse of certain Turkish parties will not succeed in achieving its goals,” he added.

Regarding the peace process, Tilo affirmed that the phase is ongoing despite the obstacles placed by some sides, noting that Turkey’s crisis goes deeper than mere inciting rhetoric—it faces an internal political and economic crisis, along with divisions within the ruling Justice and Development Party itself.

He noted that Turkey is now forced to reexamine itself and its mentality, especially after the events of October 7 and what followed in Gaza, including the downfall of authorities like Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Baathists, alongside attacks on Iran. “Turkey realizes that the region is changing—it has no choice but to open up to dialogue and abandon its repressive policies,” he said.

Tilo concluded: “Leader Abdullah Ocalan offers a project for peace, democracy, and fraternity among peoples, while Turkish authorities still embrace an ideology of oppression and denial of rights. All Kurdish parties call for the model of the Democratic Nation, which has already become a tangible reality in North and East Syria—it must also be extended to Turkey. We are living through a sensitive phase, whether in North and East Syria or across the four parts of Kurdistan, and this requires unifying the Kurdish, Kurdistani, Arab, and Syriac discourse.”

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ANHA