17.09.2025 20:50
In the National Solidarity Brotherhood and Democracy Commission, where academics are listened to, Prof. Dr. Havva Kök Aslan's remarks, "We have examples before us. There is Fatih, there is Atatürk. Perhaps it is not appropriate to say this in the Parliament, but as someone with MHP roots, I will say it: what Abdullah Öcalan did is truly an example of leadership," sparked controversy.
In the National Solidarity Brotherhood and Democracy Commission, where academics are listened to, Prof. Dr. Havva Kök Arslan stated regarding the solution to the Kurdish issue, "We must do this for our grandchildren, our grandchildren's grandchildren, and future generations. There are examples before us. There is Fatih, there is Atatürk. Even though it may not be appropriate to say this in the Parliament right now, as someone with MHP roots, I can say that what Abdullah Öcalan did is truly an example of leadership." These words led to reactions from some commission members, asking, "How can you compare Atatürk with Abdullah Öcalan?"
Havva Kök Arslan, stating that she did not make a comparison, said, "Devlet Bahçeli has done a great kindness. We need to do something much beyond this." Prof. Dr. Ayşe Betül Çelik also expressed, "What I see as lacking is the absence of a holistic peace design. A study aimed solely at the elimination of armed entities cannot be successful."
In the first session of the National Solidarity Brotherhood and Democracy Commission meeting, after the academics made their presentations, they answered questions from the commission members. The commission members asked questions such as, "What are the root causes of the conflict?", "What do you suggest to the commission regarding the construction of a peace language and confidence-building measures?", "The examples given by countries for conflict resolution are not similar to the problems in Turkey. Can a model be created from examples that are not similar to the one in Turkey?", "There are metaphors about peace being a one-winged bird. Will a mental transformation occur for both sides?", "In which areas is the commission lacking and in which areas is it doing well?", "What is the role of democracy in conflict resolution, and is a solution possible without democracy?"
"IT WILL AFFECT THE FATE OF THE REGION"
Prof. Dr. Havva Kök Arslan stated that the solution process will affect not only Turkey but also the fate of the region, saying, "For this reason, we are first in this regard. There are valuable experiences shared by our professors from other examples, but know that we are constantly living the problem of the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. Countries like Liberia, Colombia, and Sri Lanka have not experienced such an example. Therefore, the root of the problem must be unique, and the solution must also be unique. We must find a solution by thinking not only of the Republic of Turkey but of the region. We are carrying such a great responsibility. We must also consider the leaders who make history.
Let me mention Fatih, who made a significant opening at a very important time. Atatürk was magnificent... If we are not like Gaza in the region right now, if we are not like Ukraine, despite the external dynamics being against us, if there is no Kurdish-Turkish conflict... Yes, we made many mistakes. We must overcome these. Why must we overcome them? We must do this for our grandchildren, our grandchildren's grandchildren, and future generations. There are examples before us. There is Fatih, there is Atatürk. Even though it may not be appropriate to say this in the Parliament right now, as someone with MHP roots, I can say that what Abdullah Öcalan did is truly an example of leadership."
"HOW CAN YOU COMPARE ATATÜRK WITH ÖCALAN?"
In response to Havva Kök Arslan's words, DSP General Chairman Önder Aksakal and some opposition commission members reacted by asking, "How can you compare Atatürk with Abdullah Öcalan?" In response to the reactions, Havva Kök Arslan stated that she did not make a comparison with Atatürk, saying, "As someone with MHP roots, I accept this, Devlet Bahçeli has done a great kindness. We need to do something much beyond this. Let's think about the paradigm shift. I mean, what happened in Colombia can be beneficial to us on a micro level. There are positive aspects, there are negative aspects, but know that there are countless examples that will guide us in conflict resolution," she said. Stating that political will is important, Havva Kök Arslan said, "I believe that political will currently exists on both sides. But this must not be wasted. Its value must be recognized. Because as the process prolongs, there will be many parties that want to disrupt this process," she expressed.
"WHERE WE POINT IS IMPORTANT"
Prof. Dr. Ayşe Betül Çelik also stated, "We need to think about 'where can we minimally unite.' The commission has such potential; it can utilize it. We have a specific issue and a general issue. Our specific issue is armed conflict, which we define as the Kurdish issue. Our general problem is societal polarization. When explaining the peace process to society, the language we use and where we point is important. I believe that emphasizing equal citizenship will please many segments," she said.
Ayşe Betül Çelik stated that this process has not been well communicated to society, saying, "What I see as lacking is the absence of a holistic peace design. A study aimed solely at the elimination of armed entities cannot be successful. All other issues must be connected. Especially in cities that receive migration, there are tensions we sometimes observe, and there are potential problems that may arise with the return of organization members and local guards. The relational dimension of these issues needs to be studied. If these are not done, this process will be wasted," she concluded.