25.02.2026 18:36
DEVA Party Spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan commented on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's assessment regarding "Öcalan's status gap," stating, "A more realistic approach is needed. Instead of status discussions, all legal and administrative obstacles should be removed."
DEM Party Spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan made statements regarding the agenda while the party's Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting was ongoing.
Doğan also responded to a question from the press regarding President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's assessment on the topic of "Öcalan's status."
"IT SHOULD NOT BE VIEWED AS A MINISTRY'S ISSUE, A MORE REALISTIC APPROACH IS NEEDED"
Doğan's statements on the subject are as follows: "We have expressed our perspective on Öcalan's situation. This is a reality, and we need to approach it with this reality in mind. It is not about delegating it to a ministry or viewing it as a ministry's issue; a more realistic approach is needed. We are not talking about anyone in particular. We are talking about a reality that is recognized as the leader, the guide of millions of people, not just the leader of the PKK. We are discussing a sociological, historical, and political reality. Moreover, we are talking about a truth that transcends the borders of Turkey's geography. The approach to this truth should be worthy of and compatible with the effort he has put forth until now.
"ALL LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE BARRIERS IN FRONT OF ÖCALAN SHOULD BE REMOVED INSTEAD OF THIS TYPE OF STATUS DISCUSSIONS"
All legal and administrative barriers in front of Öcalan should be removed instead of this type of status discussions. President Erdoğan's statements regarding the process, the political will he has expressed, are of course very important, very valuable, and very precious for gaining momentum. The head of the executive and what they will do from now on is also so. We have always expressed that we find Mr. Bahçeli's statements, his groundbreaking remarks so far, and his insistence on this issue valuable. However, it should be noted: All concrete steps began and gained momentum after Öcalan's call for 'Peace and a Democratic Society.' We are talking about a completely different era; we are talking about a time when people are not dying. This is very valuable. And he should not be approached merely as a leadership power that ensures the silence of weapons.
"THIS VOICE NEEDS TO REACH THE PUBLIC DIRECTLY"
Look, while we're at it, the concept of integration has a very key function. Öcalan is not just talking about those who have laid down their arms beyond societal integration; he expresses a democratic society-based integration as a political and societal model. He is conveying this. This voice needs to reach the public directly. Of course, the Ministry of Justice should do what is necessary to remove the barriers in front of this. However, we are talking about a situation beyond that."