29.08.2026 17:30
DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan made statements in Şanlıurfa. Describing the framework law as a historic step, Bakırhan said, 'This law says that Selahattins, Figens, Ali Ürküts, Leyla Güvens, and thousands of Kurdish political prisoners in prison will be released. Those who have weapons, who fight with weapons, and the mountain cadres of the PKK will participate in democratic, social, and political life. Our other issues are subjects for the next stage and the next laws.'
People's Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan made statements at a public gathering held in Şanlıurfa.
Conveying his condolences to the families of deceased PKK members as well as to the families of martyrs, Bakırhan said, "Condolence tents are being set up all over Turkey. Apparently, the conditions were not suitable before. The condolences for the young people who lost their lives in an environment of conflict and violence are being announced. Without resorting to rhetoric, I offer my condolences to those families. No words can ease the pain of losing a child. We share the pain of those families. We share the pain not only of the Peace Mothers and Saturday Mothers, but also of the families of martyrs and veterans. The pain of Trabzon, the pain of Siirt, and the pain of Urfa are all equal. May no one lose their child. They ask us, 'What is this process?' It is the process of ensuring no mother loses her child. It is the process of preventing pain from falling on those unplastered houses. Look, this process started two years ago. Thank God, we have not lost a single life. The bodies of young people did not go to those poor, unplastered, destitute homes. There can be nothing more sacred than this," he said.
"A LAW REGARDING THE KURDISH ISSUE HAS PASSED FOR THE FIRST TIME"
Sharing his views on the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Cohesion, Bakırhan noted the following:
"For over two years, we have all been following this process with great care and attention. In many places we visited, our people, our peoples expressed their hesitations and distrust. Yes, it proceeded slowly and haltingly. This law could have been passed earlier, but at the end of the day, despite its shortcomings and flaws, a historic law was passed in Parliament. For the first time in the hundred-year history of Parliament, the Kurdish issue was discussed on a legal basis. For the first time, a law regarding the Kurdish issue has passed. A law has been passed regarding the Kurdish issue, where Kurds were said not to exist, their identity was denied, their language was called an unknown language, microphones were turned off when they spoke in Parliament, and it was recorded in parliamentary records as an 'unknown language.' This is very important. Everyone must know its importance."
"THIS LAW IS NOT THE LAW FOR SOLVING THE KURDISH ISSUE"
Responding to criticisms that the law contains no gains for Kurds, Bakırhan stated, "So what happened? What happened to our language? What happened to our identity? Trustees were appointed to municipalities, what happened? What happened to Selahattin, Figen, Leyla Güven in prison? This law is not the law for solving the Kurdish issue. The main purpose of the law was to remove arms and violence from the equation, move the Kurdish issue to the political ground, and discuss and solve it there. So, did we forget these demands? Will we not voice these demands? Will these demands not be realized? Of course, we will voice them and defend them. We will struggle for the resolution of these demands. But that law is not this law," he used the expressions.
"THIS LAW OPENS A DOOR"
Drawing attention to the fact that the law eliminates the PKK and all its consequences, Bakırhan noted the following:
"What is this law? It says that Selahattins, Figens, Ali Ürküts, Leyla Güvens, and thousands of Kurdish political prisoners in prison will be released. Those who went into exile abroad due to various reasons and pressures will return to the country. Those who hold arms, who fight with arms, the mountain cadres of the PKK will participate in democratic, social, and political life. Our other issues are subjects of the next stage. They are subjects of the next laws. This law is not a law where the Kurdish issue is resolved in all its dimensions. Yes, it is a law that eliminates its consequences and moves the issue from the ground of violence, conflict, and death to a legal and political ground. A hundred-year-old issue will not be resolved with this law. We know that very well. This law is a first. This law opens a door, leaving what comes next to our people of Urfa. Now a door has been opened."
"WE ARE STILL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE ROAD, THIS LAW IS NOT EVERYTHING"
Emphasizing that the law should not be underestimated, Bakırhan said, "This law has, for the first time in the history of the Republic of Turkey, brought the Kurdish issue to the parliamentary ground, and a law has emerged on that ground. We consider it important. But is the silencing of weapons enough for everything? No, it is not enough. The weapons have fallen silent, but a system must be established where we are equal citizens. A system must be established where Kurds are not alienated, yellow bags are not displayed in stadiums, and the honor and identity of Kurds are not humiliated. This law is the preliminary step of this system. Peace is not just the end of conflict. Peace is establishing a system where Kurds live honorably with their own identity without fear, hesitation, or anxiety, where Alevis live with their own faith, and our Arab citizens live with their own identity. Therefore, we are still at the beginning of the road. This law is not everything. This law is important. It is a step. It has opened a door," he stated.
"AN IMPORTANT STEP WAS TAKEN IN DAMASCUS"
Also touching upon the developments in Syria, Bakırhan stated that Kurds have a key role in Syria's future and said, "Now let's come to Rojava. Things are being written and said that even we watch with astonishment. There are very important developments. First of all, let me say this. An important step was taken in Damascus. What happened? Kurds have gained a very important key role in the future of Syria. I say this, but everyone should look at it this way. How have they gained a key role? Well, don't Kurds already elect their own mayor, district governor, and governor in the regions where they have their own cities? Is that so? They have forces there that provide their own security. Most recently, the female militants there were also accepted as internal security. With this agreement, Kurds have become stakeholders in the future of Syria from now on," he used the expression.
"MAZLUM KOBANI BECAME A PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR, NOT SHARA'S"
"Now they say, why did Mazlum Kobani become Shara's advisor? Mazlum Kobani did not become Shara's advisor; he became part of the presidential institutional structure," said Bakırhan, "In whose name did he become part of it? He became an advisor to resolve problems that will arise with Kurds and other peoples and faiths. There is a limited development regarding education in the mother tongue in Syria. For example, we criticize this. Most likely, this is one of the most fundamental criticisms of our friends sitting in this hall. That is, if you accept it as the national language of Syria, you cannot keep that language alive by counting three or five lesson names limited by hours and days. Let us voice our criticisms on this matter. We should not settle for limited lesson hours. Kurds should receive education in their mother tongue without any restrictions, wherever they live in Syria. The Syrian administration should not implement this mother tongue education issue with restrictions and decrees. Education in the mother tongue should gain legal and constitutional guarantees. Currently, there is nothing legal or constitutional. There, as I said a moment ago, Kurds are struggling for these issues, including their mother tongue, to be interpreted more broadly," he said.
"IN RETURN FOR THESE COSTS, THERE ARE GAINS, ALBEIT INCOMPLETE"
Stating that the agreements made between Kurds and the Syrian administration should not be underestimated, Bakırhan said, "Not only in Kobani and Afrin, but also in Aleppo, Damascus, and throughout Syria, Kurds must be partners in the administration, and indeed some appointments already show this."
Therefore, this situation should not be underestimated. Ten years ago, there was no identity there. There are heavy costs. But in return for these costs, there are gains, albeit incomplete. It must be accepted. Not content with this, this issue, especially language and education in the mother tongue, will reach a point that can satisfy the Kurds. As everywhere in the world, our every gain came at great costs. We carry the dear memory of everyone who contributed to and paid the price for these gains, in my own name and on behalf of my party, in our hearts, and we will continue to carry it." he said. .