ELİF AKGÜL  

Istanbul – The 'Call for Peace and a Democratic Society' made by Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan on February 27, 2025, resonated worldwide. Following Öcalan's call, the PKK announced to the public at its congress held between May 5-7 that it had ended its activities. Immediately after this decision, a group of 30 people burned their weapons in a large ceremony held near the city of Sulaymaniyah on July 11, with the participation of people from many circles. 

Along with the process that followed the "Call for Peace and a Democratic Society," the 'National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission' was established in Parliament. Instead of taking concrete steps so far, the commission listened to certain individuals and representatives of civil society organizations. Despite all the calls made, no steps were taken regarding legal regulations concerning Abdullah Öcalan or for ending the isolation.

A Concrete Process

We spoke with journalist Banu Güven about the point reached in Turkey’s peace process and the media’s approach to this process. Noting that in recent years the steps taken toward disarmament and peace indicate a design and a concrete process very different from previous ones, Banu Güven emphasized that the group which laid down arms defined itself as the 'Peace and Democratic Society Group' and destroyed its weapons in a ceremony, carrying a clarity unprecedented in Turkey’s recent history. She also addressed the social and political impacts of this new process. By discussing the commission’s work in Parliament and the approaches of both the government and the opposition regarding this process, she highlighted the importance of legal regulations and the contribution of broad segments of society for the success of this peace process.

A Historic Step: Laying Down Arms

Journalist Banu Güven stated that the peace process Turkey has been awaiting for years, beginning with concrete steps such as disarmament, offers a road map quite different from previous processes. She pointed out that 'now this process, referred to by different names, has taken shape in a design very different from the previous one, in a manner rarely seen even in world examples, by first a movement laying down its arms and burning them,' emphasizing that the beginning of this process is a very clear and distinct step. Banu Güven noted that "the guerrilla group, which took the name Peace and Democratic Society Group during this process, burning their weapons in a ceremony, symbolized their belief in peace, and that this concrete step carries a clarity unseen until now."

The Parliamentary Commission and the Legal Aspect of the Process 

Banu Güven also stated that the commission established in Parliament included representatives from both the government and the opposition, and that the families of victims as well as representatives of civil society were heard. Saying, "A concrete step was expected to be taken by October 1 regarding the destruction of weapons,' Banu Güven emphasized that this step was an important milestone in the process. However, noting that there is still no clear information about exactly what kind of developments will take place regarding the process, Banu Güven said, 'As far as we understand, whatever was planned has been adhered to, and so far no statement to the contrary has been made."

At the same time, Banu Güven stated that, following the laying down of arms, the issues of how those who disarmed would be integrated into their lives and how their political rights would be determined are of critical importance for the permanence of the process, and expressed that political parties and the parliamentary commission should make greater efforts in this regard. However, by saying, 'No draft law on this matter has yet been discussed in the commission,' she also noted that the legal regulations regarding the process have still not taken shape. Banu Güven further emphasized that taking into account the opinions of victims and various segments of society would help the process advance in a democratic and libertarian manner. She stated that in October this process would become more concrete and that the draft legal regulation to be prepared by the MHP and the AKP could create a broader debate.

Öcalan’s Role and the Syrian Dimension

Banu Güven also evaluated Abdullah Öcalan’s potential to contribute to the process. Referring to Abdullah Öcalan’s statements that 'the decision of the Democratic Forces in Syria to lay down arms and the issue of determining their fate are their internal affairs,' she said that Turkey should assess this process not only through its internal dynamics but also by taking regional factors into account. She further noted that Abdullah Öcalan expressed his readiness to make a more constructive contribution to the process, but that the necessary conditions for this have not yet been established.

The Media’s View of the Process

Criticizing the media’s approach to the process, Banu Güven emphasized that both pro-government and opposition media have taken a clearly biased stance. She stated that the pro-government media generally acted within the framework drawn by the government, while the opposition media did not stray from its traditional patterns. Banu Güven pointed out that, despite Abdullah Öcalan being the architect of the disarmament process, the press focusing on minor details such as a 'Lacoste T-shirt' trivialized the seriousness of the process. She also noted that comparing Ekrem İmamoğlu’s imprisonment with Abdullah Öcalan’s conditions caused the media to drift away from the essential issues.

The Role of the Media and Political Attitudes for the Future of the Process

Highlighting the need for the media and politics to take a more responsible stance for the success of the process, Banu Güven also added that CHP Chairman Özgür Özel has shown a strong stance on peace. 'Although Özgür Özel has had a major conflict with the government on this matter, he has put forward a very firm position in favor of peace and the establishment of a truly democratic order,' said Banu Güven, emphasizing that the process presents an important opportunity for democracy and peace. Finally, recounting a speech made on the bus on the day the weapons were burned, Banu Güven said, 'If this path is pursued by upholding certain fundamental issues and principles, it will surely reach a good point,' underlining the responsibilities of the media and politics toward this historic opportunity."