Initiative's members in Aleppo confirm that Turkish parliamentary committee evades its duties

ANHA's agency conducted interviews with several members of the Syrian Initiative for the Freedom of Leader Abdullah Ocalan in Aleppo regarding the failure of the committee formed by the Turkish Parliament to visit the leader in his prison on İmralı Island. They viewed this as an obstacle to any significant political shift in Turkey and the Kurdish issue, and a step that weakens the chances of rebuilding trust and historical relations between the two sides.

Turkey Faces a Critical Decision

Haydar Rashid, a member of the initiative, explained that the historic step taken by leader Abdullah Ocalan, and the subsequent response from the Kurdistan Liberation Movement (KLM) through the declaration of a ceasefire and the withdrawal of forces from within Turkish borders towards southern Kurdistan, has had a profound impact on the Middle East and has altered the political landscape.

Rashid emphasized that "Turkey has thus been placed before a decisive confrontation and a critical decision, and ignoring this opportunity could expose it to significant danger."

He stressed: "If Ankara wants to amend its stance on the Kurdish issue, it must fulfill its obligations, foremost among them the release of leader Abdullah Ocalan and the recognition of Kurdish rights."

The Leader's Role in Peace Efforts

Rashid emphasized that "leader Abdullah Ocalan has strived for peace for 37 years, but the Turkish state has evaded its responsibilities and obstructed his efforts by ignoring the rights of the Kurdish people." He pointed out that the current stage is more sensitive than previous ones, and that Turkey is required to take real steps in line with the initiative of leader Abdullah Ocalan. "It is now in Turkey's hands to decide whether to ignite a new war or rebuild trust with the Kurds by amending the constitution and guaranteeing rights and freedoms."

Doubts about Ankara's intentions

Rashid explained that what appears today as "Turkey's rapprochement with leader Abdullah Ocalan's initiative does not go beyond rhetoric and political coordination, without any contact with the initiator himself."

He added that this hesitation raises doubts about Turkey's intentions and the course of the process.

He emphasized that "if the parliamentary committee, the 'Committee for National Solidarity, Fraternity, and Democracy,' does not take the initiative to address leader Abdullah Ocalan directly, the stage will witness a complete stalemate that could squander the opportunity for change and political transformation."

No solution without going to Imrali

For his part, Idris Sheikho, a member of the initiative, praised the historical role played by leader Abdullah Ocalan in reducing the level of violence and launching repeated peace initiatives, despite Turkey's continued rejection of them.

Sheikho emphasized that "the political reality in Turkey and the region compels Ankara to respond to the leader's call, and that any disregard for this could expose Turkey to widespread threats in light of the ongoing changes in the Middle East map."

He stressed that "Turkey has no option but to go to Imrali and listen directly to the leader."

Accusations of Negligence Against the Parliamentary Committee

Sheikho explained that "Turkey's current actions are limited to misleading statements aimed at buying time, without taking any real measures." He criticized "the distortion of concepts, as Turkey refers to Leader Abdullah Ocalan's initiative as 'Turkey Free of Terrorism' instead of 'Peace and a Democratic Society.'"

He concluded by asserting that "the parliamentary committee has not yet fulfilled its primary task, as it has not visited Imrali, and that merely issuing statements is a waste of time and will not lead to any positive results."

ANHA