12.05.2026 16:00
DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları stated that concrete steps must be taken for the "Terror-Free Turkey" process to progress and called for the "Step for Peace" events to be held nationwide on May 16. Hatimoğulları invited citizens to the streets for the process to proceed healthily and for peace to become societal.
DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları said, "There is a need for a mechanism that will build bridges and shuttle between the political institution, parties, actors, and civil society. Such mechanisms are needed to resolve the current deadlock and to overcome problems that may arise during the process."
DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları spoke at her party's group meeting in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Hatimoğulları stated that the white headscarves presented by the 'Peace Mothers' to political party leaders during their visits symbolize peace.
'THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS SHOULD NOT BE DELAYED'
Evaluating the 'Terror-Free Turkey' process, Hatimoğulları said, "The peace and democratic society process is one of Turkey's critical agendas. The process has been stagnant for a while. This slowdown must absolutely be overcome. A way must be found. As the DEM Party, we are making intense efforts to increase the momentum and presenting our concrete proposals. Last week, various statements were made about establishing some mechanisms to advance the process. The name and content can be debated, but one fact is indisputable. There is a need for a mechanism that will build bridges and shuttle between the political institution, parties, actors, and civil society. It must be established quickly. Such mechanisms are needed both to resolve the current deadlock and to address problems that may arise during the process and to successfully overcome them."
"IF WE MISS THIS HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY..."
Stating that the mechanism to be established could also assume the political interlocutorship of the process, Hatimoğulları said, "The debate on this mechanism should never delay the legislative process of the commission report. These two issues can proceed in coordination, complementing each other. One should not be used as a justification to delay the other. Look, in the 6th section, 1st heading of the commission's published final report, the following statement appears: 'Another important duty of the commission is to determine a legal framework to manage the situation that will arise with the organization's disarmament process.' In other words, it clearly indicates that steps should be carried out together. Therefore, I especially appeal to the authorities and the parties involved in the process: 'This process cannot be left in limbo as 'my need, your need.' The process must be shaped according to the need for peace. Every day without a step for peace robs this country of its economy, hope for peace, freedom, and democracy. God forbid, if we miss this historic opportunity and fail to successfully cross this historic threshold, who will account for it and how?" he said.
"I INVITE OUR PEOPLE TO THE FIELDS ON MAY 16"
Hatimoğulları also said, "This week, there must definitely be some activity regarding taking concrete steps, and a roadmap should be drawn up. Let us all take responsibility on this matter so that the country can find relief. As the DEM Party, we will be in the fields across Turkey on May 16 with the slogan 'Take a step for peace.' From here, I invite all our people to the fields on May 16 to make the voice of peace stronger, contribute to its socialization, and ensure the process progresses healthily."