Helen Ahmed

Sulaymaniyah — Calls for Peace in the Middle East Continue, Öcalan’s Vision at the Core

Calls for peace in the Middle East have continued for over a year, based on the appeals of leader Abdullah Öcalan, who calls for a comprehensive truce among the peoples of the world and emphasizes that the issue of peace and unity has become clear and tangible among citizens.

Öcalan’s call for global peace has received wide attention both politically and in the media, alongside growing international support. Dialogue with the Turkish state is a pivotal step, with Öcalan leading this path and presenting a strategic vision for peace, aiming to establish a strong political foundation resilient to crises or changes, built on recognition of the Kurds within a society striving for freedom.

While the Kurdish people take the issue of peace seriously, their main goal remains achieving legitimate rights within Turkey and promoting peace and unity in the Middle East. Kurds demand that the Turkish state assume responsibility for addressing the issue systematically and effectively.

Meanwhile, the Kurdish people continue their political and strategic efforts toward achieving peace, intensifying their activities and resistance, believing that the solution lies in dialogue and mutual understanding.

“Peace is built on recognition and justice, not denial”

Norouz Oysal Aslan, former lawyer for Öcalan and parliamentarian from the Equality and Democracy of the Peoples Party, emphasized that the peace process does not depend on waiting for Turkey, but on political will. She noted that this will began to take shape on October 1, continued on October 22 with Öcalan’s appeal, and reached a clear momentum by October 26.

She explained that Öcalan views the peace issue with Turkey as a door that must be opened for the Kurdish people, considering peace and a democratic society crucial for the Kurds, while the Turkish state views the issue from a denialist perspective. Kurds, however, approach it through the lens of fraternity and unity.

She called on the Turkish state to take positive steps, stressing that building peace requires a language of acceptance, not the prohibitive and marginalizing policies imposed by Turkey on the Kurdish language and identity, which are intrinsically linked to internal security.

Oysal Aslan added that these policies aim to undermine Kurdish rights and serve as a tool for political domination, which requires distinguishing such practices. Öcalan considers the peace issue a way to expose these policies, asserting that Kurdish demands over the past 30 years have been clear and democratic. While the Turkish state also has demands, it has yet to take serious steps toward peace despite bilateral willingness.

She emphasized that establishing a democratic policy requires shared will. If expectations and demands within Turkey are implemented practically, core questions regarding needs—whether of Kurds, Turks, or human rights advocates—can be addressed, as all recognize the importance of rights in achieving justice.

Oysal Aslan highlighted that the peace process requires lifting legal restrictions to advance. Without concrete steps from Turkey, the process risks complete stagnation, but removing these obstacles would allow Öcalan to take further steps to ensure the process continues, which necessitates the enactment of supporting laws.

She noted, “Political will is necessary but not sufficient; it must translate into tangible actions. In the first stage, Öcalan issued an important call to advance the process, but his continued detention and isolation are unacceptable, and his release must become a central focus for relevant committees, with his freedom considered a key prerequisite.”

She suggested that this could be achieved through a special committee, activating the “Right to Hope,” parliamentary committees, or even the European Court of Human Rights. “At this stage, Öcalan’s release is essential and requires decisive action.”

“Öcalan’s Freedom is Fundamental to Achieving Peace”

Oysal Aslan affirmed that ignoring the Kurdish issue in the Middle East brings us back to Öcalan’s ongoing 27-year imprisonment, stressing that any genuine settlement must begin with a significant step toward this reality. “Peace cannot be achieved without public recognition of the leadership; the Kurdish people have shown that Öcalan is their sole leader, prompting Turkey to seek dialogue and peace through him.”

She pointed out that the conditions of Öcalan’s imprisonment under the guise of a “committee” aim to undermine his role, allowing only very limited family and lawyer visits in a year. Despite this, significant progress has been made in the process. “If released, he could communicate with society, prepare reports, engage with the media, and conduct political dialogues, giving the process a strong boost and broad hope.”

She explained that Turkey’s continued detention policy seeks two goals: maintaining the framework it has set around Öcalan to align with its policies and preventing the process from escaping its control, aware that Öcalan’s vision spans more than 20 years. Thus, Turkey attempts to restrict his intellectual and strategic capabilities—a policy directly linked to the peace process.

She emphasized that depriving Öcalan of freedom is a real obstacle to the peace process, noting that global experience shows no peace process can advance under imprisonment and isolation. Within this limited context, Öcalan’s proposals demonstrate his intellectual strength, making his continued detention unacceptable to the Kurdish people.

“No Peace Without a Democratic Society and Women’s Freedom”

Oysal Aslan stressed that Öcalan’s freedom is closely tied to women’s freedom. “This stage does not concern only the state, government, or the freedom movement; it requires society’s full engagement. True peace cannot exist without a democratic society. If the state seeks peace without allowing such a society, the process loses its meaning and reaches a dead end.”

She explained, “Building a democratic society and sustainable peace cannot coexist with the oppression or marginalization of women. Öcalan has always considered women’s freedom essential to societal freedom. In his recent assessments, he asserted that those who cannot engage with women cannot claim to be socialist. From the start until today, he has sent direct messages and greetings to women, reflecting his deep belief in their crucial role during this pivotal stage.”

In conclusion, she asked, “How can we live a free life? How can Kurdish women live freely under this reality? Language, culture, and art alone cannot achieve freedom; a true vision within a free life is needed. Women’s freedom is not marginal; it is central to the peace process. If society and the state unite but women remain constrained, true democracy is absent, and peace becomes an empty slogan