Kurdistan Freedom Movement: Abdullah Ocalan's release is essential for peace process success

The Executive Council of the Kurdistan Freedom Movement issued a statement on Thursday regarding the "Peace and Democratic Society" initiative launched following Abdullah Ocalan's appeal on 27 February last year. The statement included:

"Discussions concerning the foundational law that will shape the future of the peoples of Turkey are continuing in various forms and are expanding across the public sphere. However, observations of these debates and information circulating through open sources raise concerns about the seriousness of the current approach to drafting this legislation.

During the meeting held on 20 July, Leader Apo stressed that the proposed law should not be narrow in scope or drafted in a way that limits its ability to serve the future. Rather, it should be formulated with due consideration for the sensitivities of both sides. The legislation is expected to represent an important step towards ending the century-long divide between the Kurdish people and the Turkish state, and it must therefore be fundamentally geared towards achieving lasting peace."

As has been the case in conflicts around the world, peace begins first with language. The continued use of terms such as "terrorism" and "terrorist organization" to describe a movement that has declared its dissolution and ended its armed struggle against Turkey places obstacles in the path of a process intended to shape the future of our peoples from the very outset. The sensitivities required for such a process are being overlooked from the first moment. In short, ensuring that the language, terminology, and overall discourse are aligned with the intended objective is essential to advancing the process.

There is no doubt that the steps both parties must take to bring the conflict to an end should be realistic and implementable. Leader Apo and our movement are approaching this issue with the utmost sensitivity. If the process is genuinely aimed at achieving a solution rather than merely managing the crisis, then the approach adopted must be consistent with that objective.

As the Kurdish Freedom Movement, we have repeatedly affirmed that implementing the requirements of the call for peace and a democratic society requires enabling Leader Apo to fulfil his role. We have also consistently stressed the need to define his legal status and secure his freedom. Unless Leader Apo is able to lead the process himself, it will not be possible to implement the decisions already taken or the provisions of the legislation that is expected to be enacted.

Regarding Leader Apo's status, Devlet Bahçeli previously stated that he should serve as the coordinator of the peace process and the transition to political engagement. During the discussions concerning Imrali, it was likewise accepted that Leader Apo would assume responsibility for coordinating the peace process and political transition, with his role defined within the framework of implementing the legislation expected to be enacted.

According to information available through open sources, failing to address Leader Apo's legal status within the proposed law would create obstacles to its implementation from the outset. Therefore, it is considered essential to clarify his status as the principal interlocutor and

On the other hand, limiting the peace and democratic society process solely to the issue of disarmament would be inconsistent with the spirit of the initiative. The adoption of a basic or framework law would imply that additional legislation and further measures are expected to follow. Therefore, if it is made clear that the forthcoming legislation constitutes the foundational legal framework, and that the process will continue through subsequent democratic laws aimed at addressing broader issues, it would help reassure the people of Turkey and strengthen confidence in the process.

As we have repeatedly stated, our final position will be determined after reviewing the text of the proposed law. Naturally, if the legislation is deemed positive, we will provide it with stronger support and fully assume our responsibilities in advancing the process.