Politicians: Legislative, legal reforms in Turkey are necessary for success of the peace process

Two politicians from North and East Syria welcomed the step announced by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) on October 26, regarding the withdrawal of its fighters from within Turkey’s borders, describing it as “historic” within the framework of the democratic peace process led by Leader Abdullah Ocalan.

Kovan Keno, Secretary of the Roj Democratic Kurdistan Party, said that “the democratic initiative launched by Leader Abdullah Ocalan has received broad support from the Kurdish people, as well as from regional and international forces.”

He added that “the Party’s announcement of the withdrawal of its fighters represents a practical continuation of the path of peace and democracy in Turkey.”

Keno pointed out that “the Turkish state is now required to play its full role in ensuring the success of the peace process by providing a democratic environment, rebuilding a political system that embraces all forces, guarantees parliamentary sovereignty, and respects the state’s ethnic diversity.”

He also called for “the enactment of new legislation that restores trust between the state and the citizens, contributes to a fair resolution of the Kurdish issue through democratic dialogue, and does so within the Turkish parliament.”

He affirmed that “the release of Leader Abdullah Ocalan is essential for the success of the initiative, as he is the one who possesses the vision capable of resolving the crises of the Middle East.”

For his part, Jwan Sko, Secretary of the Kurdistan Democratic Party – Syria (PDK–S), said that “the Party’s latest step was unexpected in its magnitude of courage and historical responsibility.”

He confirmed that “Ankara has not yet taken any concrete reciprocal steps and continues its policy of restricting the will of the Kurdish people and attempting to weaken them.”

Sko added that “the success of this initiative requires the Turkish state to draft a new constitution recognizing Kurdish rights in Northern Kurdistan, including cultural, political, and national rights, as well as releasing political prisoners and building lawful democratic institutions.”

He noted that the isolation imposed on Leader Abdullah Ocalan continues and that the meetings taking place are “insufficient to achieve tangible progress.”

He emphasized that “Turkey must realize that the 2025 initiative is different from those of 1993 and 2013, and that its failure would make Turkey the biggest loser.”

ANHA