Kurdish politician calls on Turkey to recognize Kurdish rights

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced that it held its 12th congress between May 5 and 7 and that the outcomes will be announced in the coming period.

 On February 27, through the delegation of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party that visited him in Imrali, leader Abdullah Ocalan issued a call for peace and a democratic society. In support of this process, Talal Muhammad, the Secretary of the Kurdistan Democratic Peace Party, urged the Turkish authorities to take practical steps.

 Commenting on the historic call by the leader, Talal Muhammad said:

“This call carries deep symbolic significance for the Kurdish people and within Turkey’s sociopolitical life, given the leader’s historical and political role in resolving the Kurdish issue and securing the rights of the Kurdish people. His call aims to guarantee the rights of all peoples in Turkey.”

 Muhammad called for steps to be taken prior to any dialogue or negotiation between the Turkish state and Kurdish political forces. He said:

“There are essential steps that must be taken, including recognizing the Kurdish issue within Turkey and resolving it through political and peaceful means, away from violence. There must be an opening of dialogue with political forces and civil society, engagement with the PKK, and the provision of legal guarantees for resolving the Kurdish issue and allowing PKK cadres to return and engage in political work in Turkey.”

 Muhammad stressed the necessity of physically freeing leader Abdullah Ocalan, stating that his release would be a symbolic step showing the Turkish state's readiness to solve issues and allow the leader to continue the peace initiative.

 To ensure the success of the peace process, Muhammad believes it is necessary to stop all practices by the Turkish state, including the appointment of trustees over elected municipalities, the imprisonment of journalists, politicians, and lawyers, and to open the way for Kurdish representatives to participate in political life in Turkey.

 Talal Muhammad described the leader Ocalan’s call as "strategic" and said:

“The Turkish state should respond positively to this call to pave the way for a historic solution awaited by the peoples of Turkey. This is a rare historic opportunity that must not be missed. Let this call be a model for a democratic solution to an issue that has lasted more than 100 years in Turkey.”

 a.k

ANHA