03.11.2026 21:10
Selahattin Demirtaş, who is detained in prison, made a striking statement regarding the Terror-Free Turkey process. Demirtaş said, 'The most urgent step that needs to be taken is to clarify Mr. Öcalan's status, resources, and conditions under which he can play his role. The longer this step is delayed, the more the process will continue to experience ebbs and flows.'
Selahattin Demirtaş, the imprisoned former HDP Co-Chair, made a striking statement regarding the "Terror-Free Turkey" process. Demirtaş argued that in order to achieve a lasting result in the debates, the position and room for movement of PKK terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan must be clarified quickly.
DEMİRTAŞ: EVERY STAGE OF DISARMAMENT PROCESSES IS DIFFICULT
In his statement, Demirtaş said the following: "Winning Together. Every stage of conflict resolution and disarmament processes is difficult; each stage has its own unique handicaps and opportunities. What matters is that all actors taking part in the process develop strong cooperation to overcome the difficulties and mobilize their capacities to turn opportunities into shared gains.
Those who believe in the process and are convinced that it will benefit everyone are making intensive efforts to overcome the difficulties. Some circles that do not believe in the success of the process, however, continue to drag their feet by calculating how to turn regional or global developments into an opportunity. There are also groups that approach the process cautiously due to the distrust created by past experiences. One of the important reasons for the bottlenecks is the constant confrontation between the will to advance change and the mindsets that resist change.
If you do not believe in the necessity of change, you can easily oppose the process and, if you wish, put forward a thousand justifications that seem internally consistent. However, none of these can stop the turning of the ruthless wheel called realpolitik. Principled politics and legitimate politics do not surrender to realpolitik, do not bow down to it, but they also do not fall into the naivety of ignoring realpolitik.
"FACILITATING STEPS MUST BE TAKEN"
What makes the difference in Mr. Abdullah Öcalan's leadership style is precisely his good grasp of these balances and his success in preserving the political ground by taking courageous moves and risks. Mr. Öcalan has been very clearly aware for a long time that armed struggle has been defeated by time. He invites and pushes both the organization and the state to change at the same time; in this way, he works to create a new political ground on which the steps to be taken will complement one another.
Undoubtedly, the need for change applies to all actors taking part in the process, but everyone's responsibility differs according to their position and the opportunities they have. The state's responsibility to democratize, establish legal safeguards, and open the way for freedoms cannot substitute for the organization's responsibility to advance disarmament.
"OPPORTUNITIES CAN BE TURNED INTO GAINS"
The road to a solution does not pass through a door that can be opened with a single key. Each actor holds keys that can open different doors. What matters is that everyone uses their own key to open the way for the common path. In this way, bottlenecks can be overcome, opportunities can be turned into shared gains; while the political institution is strengthened, the way can be opened for democratization, freedoms, and prosperity.
For all this to happen, one of the most important needs of the process is the reconstruction of mutual trust. The distrust created by past experiences, unfulfilled promises, and severe ruptures cannot be overcome merely by calls for good intentions. Everyone participating in the process must contribute to creating the conditions that will produce trust together, instead of expecting trust from one another in advance.
The problems accumulated over the years are like intertwined knots. Trying to solve these knots by forcing them sometimes tightens them even more. Therefore, the procedure to be followed, the language and tone to be used while untying the knots are of great importance. Unfortunately, sufficient maturity and a constructive style have still not been reached on this matter. It is a political, moral, and conscientious obligation for everyone to show utmost care on this issue.
"ÖCALAN'S STATUS MUST BE CLARIFIED"
The most urgent step to be taken is to clarify the status, means, and conditions under which Mr. Öcalan can play his role. The longer this step is delayed, the more the process will continue to experience fluctuations. Providing the working and communication conditions required by the role Mr. Öcalan has assumed in the process is not merely a matter concerning him alone. It is necessary for the implementation of the disarmament decision, the resolution of problems that may arise, and the establishment of healthy communication among the different actors of the process. Creating the conditions that will enable an actor expected to assume responsibility to fulfill that responsibility is a requirement of the process's own internal consistency.
To clarify Mr. Öcalan's conditions, it is important that all the opposition, especially the DEM Party, establish constructive politics with a positive language. At the same time, the PKK accelerating the disarmament stage with a more constructive, courageous, and determined stance will facilitate the progress of the process and steps by other actors. Everyone knows best the difficulties and necessities of the place where they stand.
"A SOLUTION THAT DOES NOT STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SUPPORT IS UNLIKELY TO BE PERMANENT"
I cannot speak on anyone's behalf or lay down the law, but we must also accept that, for the resolution of problems and the overcoming of crises, everyone must make a positive effort from exactly where they stand, move from their place, and change. The resolution process is like riding a bicycle; to move forward and maintain balance, one must keep pedaling.
A solution that does not strengthen social support is unlikely to be permanent. It is necessary to overcome the fears and distrust created by the past, enlarge society's hopes for the future, and strengthen social support. Because peace cannot be built only by the actors of the process; therefore, society must also become the subject of peace.
The way to turn the political, economic, and geostrategic opportunities that will emerge with the success of the process into a shared gain for Turkey, all Kurds, and the peoples of the Middle East passes through creating grounds for cooperation starting today. Let us first face the risks together and overcome the handicaps jointly, so that afterward all peoples can harvest the fruits together and we can all win together."