Intellectuals: call for peace is historic opportunity; Turkey must assume its responsibilities

Intellectuals from Aleppo affirmed that the call for peace and a democratic society, launched by leader Abdullah Ocalan on February 27th of this year, constitutes a historic opportunity for the Turkish state to rebuild the historical relationship and solidify trust between Turkish and Kurdish societies.

In this context, Walid Bakr, a member of the Aleppo Cultural Forum and the Rojava Center for Strategic Studies, stated that leader Abdullah Ocalan's call was "qualitative, bold, and historic, and it has had a broad impact on public opinion."

He pointed out that the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) responded to this call with what he described as historic steps, including burning its weapons, relocating its forces to Southern Kurdistan, and changing its methods of struggle while maintaining its political ideology.

Bakr criticized the Turkish side's procrastination, stating that the steps taken so far do not meet the required level of response. He called on Ankara to take concrete actions instead of merely issuing statements, and to clarify the content of the meetings to the public, thus contributing to the success of the process without errors.

He added that the failure to implement constitutional amendments thus far raises doubts about the Turkish state's seriousness in establishing peace and ending the era of conflict and violence. He stressed that the success of the process requires Ankara to assume its historical responsibilities.

For her part, Haifa Hassan, co-chair of the Aleppo Cultural Forum, said that the call by leader Abdullah Ocalan came within the framework of striving to spare the region from further wars and occupation projects. She emphasized the necessity for the Turkish state to understand the importance of this call for its future.

She noted that leader Abdullah Ocalan and his party had fulfilled their historic duty by issuing the call and translating it into practical steps on the ground.

She called on the Turkish state to take serious measures, including amending the constitution and recognizing Kurdish rights and identity.

Haifa Hassan warned that limiting the process to one side could lead to its failure, and that building trust requires redefining the relationship between Kurds and Turks on just foundations. She added that any attempt to exploit the current situation could backfire.

ANHA