WAN – DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları stated that the Peace and Democratic Society Initiative represents “the liberation of all 86 million citizens,” while Co-Spokesperson of the HDK and member of the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission Meral Danış Beştaş said that they foresee a possible visit to İmralı in the near future.

 

Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları and Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) Co-Spokesperson Meral Danış Beştaş attended a meeting organized by the Van Bar Association with representatives of civil society organizations. Many representatives from NGOs, faith communities, and women’s associations participated in the gathering.

 

Opening the event, Van Bar Association Chair Sinan Özaraz stated: “Turkey is going through a sensitive period. This process has created hope among all peoples. We have supported it from the beginning. A democratic life free from violence is important for all of us. Every segment of society should support this. Turkey must abandon assimilation policies and work to enshrine rights in the constitution.”

 

Speaking afterward, Tülay Hatimoğulları said: “The peace process cannot be limited to the PKK dissolving itself or to talks between Mr. Öcalan and the state, nor can it solely depend on the millions involved through DEM. For peace to become socialized, it must be embraced by all democratic forces, NGOs, labor and professional organizations, and communities of different peoples and faiths. Ensuring the socialization of peace is our collective duty and responsibility.”

 

She added: “This process has been ongoing for over a year. We refer to it as the Peace and Democratic Society Process. Under this title, we can include many aspects—from the peaceful and democratic resolution of the Kurdish question to addressing Turkey’s various undemocratic practices, from penal laws such as the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) and Anti-Terror Law (TMK), to the problems faced by prisoners, and even to the political pressures on opposition parties and local administrations. All of these constitute the subheadings of this broader process.”

 

‘WE HAVE NOW ENTERED THE SECOND PHASE’

 

Tülay Hatimoğulları continued: “The call for peace and a democratic society also means the right of all 86 million citizens to live as equals—being able to speak and receive education in their mother tongue freely and to practice their faith without restriction. These are our fundamental and non-negotiable principles. With Mr. Öcalan’s call for Peace and a Democratic Society on February 27, a new phase began. He called on the PKK to dissolve itself, and the organization fulfilled this request. One of the significant milestones was the July 11 ceremony where weapons were publicly burned—a historic act demonstrating the commitment to peace. On October 26, the Kurdish Freedom Movement announced its withdrawal from Turkey, marking the transition to the second and very important stage of the process. While the government has formed a commission—an important and valuable step—more concrete measures are still needed. The process must move beyond this symbolic stage toward tangible actions.”

 

Tülay Hatimoğulları emphasized the need for broad-based involvement: “It is time to take concrete legislative steps, such as democratic integration and transitional laws. Over the past year, we have met with hundreds of institutions and tens of thousands of people across Turkey. The overwhelming sentiment we heard was this: ‘We believe in peace, but we still lack confidence in the process.’ Confidence cannot be built through unilateral steps. Since the Kurdish side has taken historic and tangible steps, similar moves must now come from the state and the government. The second pillar of this process is its ownership by the broader society.”

 

‘SOCIAL STEPS MUST BE TAKEN’

 

She added: “For example, prisoners whose sentences have been extended should be released. The continued use of such practices is unacceptable. Another issue is the release of sick prisoners—this does not require new legislation. The European Court of Human Rights has already ruled for the release of Selahattin Demirtaş, Figen Yüksekdağ, and others detained in the Kobani Trial. Implementing these decisions would be powerful confidence-building measures.”

 

Tülay Hatimoğulları also addressed the appointment of state trustees (kayyım): “The ongoing judicial operations against CHP mayors since March 19 are sabotaging this process. One of the most important confidence-building steps would be the withdrawal of the state-appointed trustee from Van Metropolitan Municipality. The Van people won all 14 districts in a legitimate and democratic election; their choice must be respected.”

 

‘THIS CALL IS THE SALVATION OF 86 MILLION PEOPLE’

 

She concluded: “The call for peace and a democratic society is not only the salvation of the Kurdish people but of all 86 million citizens of this country. When we read and interpret the lines of this call, we can see how each of us can contribute to building peace and democratization in our own fields of life and struggle.

 

For women, peace means the right to live free from violence—we are being murdered every day. We just came from the site where Rojin Kabaiş was killed and held a press statement there. We want peace so that women can live. Young people want peace. Workers and the poor want peace. Van is among the poorest cities in Turkey, and unemployment here is among the highest. Around 50 million people in Turkey live below the poverty line—peace is also their demand.”

 

‘WE MAY VISIT İMRALI SOON’

 

HDK Co-Spokesperson Meral Danış Beştaş stressed: “For the first time, a commission has been established. We asked our questions and voiced our criticisms. Despite this, pro-government media continue to frame the issue as terrorism. Kurds have been subjected to assimilation since the founding of the republic. However, a significant new perspective has emerged—many now acknowledge that this is not a terrorism issue but a political one.

 

The listening phase of the commission has now concluded. DEM Party advocated full transparency and requested that the press be allowed to observe the meetings. Peace cannot be sustained without democracy, law, and justice. Next week, the Minister of National Defense and the head of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) will be heard.

 

It is essential that Mr. Öcalan also be heard—this has been the path to resolution everywhere in the world. We foresee a possible visit to İmralı in the near future. I hope this happens, and that our country can finally get back on track.”