Mimihan Halbin Zaidan

Van – Despite the continuation of the peace process that began following the "Peace and Democratic Society" call launched by leader Abdullah Öcalan on February 27, 2025, the Turkish state has not yet taken any practical steps in this direction.

While the process is expected to gain momentum through the steps taken by the Kurdish people, the Turkish state's failure to take any concrete action has sparked reactions and criticism. In the city of Van, northern Kurdistan, women expressed their expectations of this process. Shenda Ayazgun said that the Turkish state has not taken any serious step since the process began.

She explained that for the process to continue, "urgent steps must be taken, whether at the language, legal, or social level. The people and the state must do everything in their power to ensure its success."

"There are no concrete steps"

Brifan Polat, a member of the Edremit Municipal Council, pointed out that leader Abdullah Öcalan initiated the process with his February 27 call, affirming that the Kurdish people have taken serious steps in this context.

She said: "Despite a year and a half having passed since the process began, the Turkish state has not responded to it. They have sufficed with statements without any concrete steps. Immediate measures must be taken, first and foremost the release of political prisoners."

"The Turkish state is procrastinating"

Kunish Okmen, a member of the Edremit Municipal Council, said: "Our fundamental demand is to ensure the physical freedom of leader Abdullah Öcalan, followed by the release of political prisoners."

She added that the Kurdish people possess great strength, and this strength derives from their leadership, affirming that the Turkish state ignores the Kurds' ability to influence the country's future.

"Our priority is Öcalan's freedom"

Mehtap Bozkurt, co‑chair of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) in the Elbak (Başkale) district, stressed the need to achieve the physical freedom of leader Abdullah Öcalan.

She affirmed that the Kurdish people seek to live with dignity in a free homeland. "Just as all the world's peoples have their identity, language, and culture, we as Kurds demand our rights." She explained that "millions of Kurds today are deprived of their identity, and we want real steps to address that. The Turkish state must take steps toward peace and freedom, and release political prisoners. The eyes of Kurdish mothers are waiting at prison gates, and we want to live a free life."