Legal Expert: Turkey’s democracy needs major legal and constitutional reforms

On February 27 of this year, leader Abdullah Ocalan launched the call for “Peace and a Democratic Society” from his prison on İmralı Island. The Kurdistan Freedom Movement responded to this call by taking what were described as historic steps toward peace—most notably, its decision to dissolve itself after holding its 12th congress in May, followed by a symbolic burning of weapons in an official ceremony by guerrilla fighters.

In a new step, the Kurdistan Freedom Movement announced on October 26 its withdrawal of forces from within Turkish borders—a decision that drew significant regional and international attention.

In this context, human rights lawyer and international law expert Masoud Al-Ali explained that leader Abdullah Ocalan has always been a genuine and persistent advocate for peace with Turkey and has offered solutions for the crises sweeping across the Middle East. However, Al-Ali noted, Turkey has repeatedly avoided engaging in this peace process.

Al-Ali stated that the leader’s peace call and the historic moves taken by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party—such as its self-dissolution and withdrawal from northern Kurdistan and Turkey—represent a historic opportunity for Turkey to rebuild trust between the state and society, not only in Turkey and northern Kurdistan but across the entire region, including Syria.

He pointed out that the main challenges Turkey faces include the lack of clear laws guaranteeing freedom and democratic participation, the absence of recognition of Kurdish cultural and political rights, the marginalization of non-Turkish communities, the restriction of freedoms, and the weakness of judicial independence, which limits citizens’ access to justice and creates an unsafe environment for expression and criticism.

Al-Ali stressed that restoring trust between citizens and the state requires the adoption of democratic laws that guarantee freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and the constitutional recognition of cultural and political rights of all communities.

These laws, he said, would also ensure citizen participation in political decision-making through transparent, elected institutions—thus reinforcing trust between people and the government.

He affirmed that democratic laws must be supported by legislative steps such as:

-Reforming the Political Parties Law to ensure fair representation of all communities.

-Amending the constitution to guarantee judicial independence and separation of powers.

-Enacting a law to protect the rights of minorities, allowing education in their own languages and ensuring cultural and political representation.

-Repealing restrictive laws like those on “insulting the state” or “spreading false news.”

-Establishing an independent human rights commission to monitor violations and issue periodic reports.

Al-Ali emphasized that enacting laws that protect freedom and democratic integration is the foundation for building a shared future that respects diversity and promotes stability in Turkey and the region.

In conclusion, the international law expert Masoud Al-Ali said these political steps require legislative courage and a recognition that peace cannot be achieved through force, but through justice and democracy.

ANHA