Turkey
Leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Ozgur Ozel attends his party's group meeting at the Turkish parliament in Ankara on October 22, 2024. Photo: AA
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkey’s largest opposition party leader Ozgur Ozel on Tuesday expressed support for comments made by ultranationalist leader Devlet Bahceli to allow jailed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan to address the parliament, proposing to offer Kurds a more inclusive role.
“If no more soldiers will die, if no more blood will be shed, if mothers’ tears will no longer flow, and if guns will no longer be pointed at soldiers, then every word said to achieve this is valuable to us as CHP,” Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) leader Ozel said while addressing his parliamentary group.
"We, as CHP, will fully support any effort to end terrorism,” he added.
Ozel’s comments came hours after Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Bahceli proposed allowing Ocalan to appear in parliament and call for the dissolution of the armed group.
The CHP leader also criticized Bahceli’s proposal, saying it excludes the parliament, within which such decisions should be discussed.
“Without a complete social consensus, there will be no resolution,” Ozel said. “If this issue is to be solved, it should be discussed at a table with all political parties present.”
Ozel encouraged that the issues of Kurds in Turkey should be resolved through the constitution while calling for Kurds to have a more inclusive role within the Republic of Turkey.
“Without addressing the constitutional grievances of the Kurds, you cannot solve this issue with a solution tailored to one individual. We value every step taken to reconcile 86 million citizens,” Ozel said.
“I agree, Mr. Devlet, I also offer Kurds a state,” he added. “I propose that Kurds who do not feel fully belonging to the state, to become the rightful owners of the Republic of Turkey. Let’s create a country where no one feels like an outsider.”
Bahceli’s comments were met with different reactions. Later in the day, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said a door was opened by the alliance of his party with the MHP to “end terror” in the country, adding that it should not be squandered.
“We do not want the historic window of opportunity opened by the People's Alliance to be sacrificed for personal agendas. We want to build a Turkey free of terrorism together,” Erdogan said, referring to the AKP-MHP alliance.
The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) co-chair Tulay Hatimogullari responded to Bahceli on Tuesday, stating that ending the isolation of Ocalan is a requirement for any form of a peace process to start in the country, adding that her party is ready to launch an initiative.
“If there is to be a beginning, the isolation must be lifted immediately. We are ready to take the initiative for an honorable peace,” Hatimogullari said inside the parliament.
The DEM Party is routinely accused of being the political wing of the PKK. Founded in 1978, the PKK initially called for the establishment of an independent Kurdistan but now calls for autonomy. The group is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey and western allies. Earlier this year, the Iraqi government also declared it as a banned organization.
On October 1, however, Bahceli made an unprecedented gesture by greeting members of the DEM Party inside the Turkish parliament. Bahceli extended his hand to DEM Party leaders, including Bakirhan.
Following the move, Bahceli said that “a new era is starting in the country. When we ask for peace in the world, we should maintain peace in our country.”
“If no more soldiers will die, if no more blood will be shed, if mothers’ tears will no longer flow, and if guns will no longer be pointed at soldiers, then every word said to achieve this is valuable to us as CHP,” Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) leader Ozel said while addressing his parliamentary group.
"We, as CHP, will fully support any effort to end terrorism,” he added.
Ozel’s comments came hours after Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Bahceli proposed allowing Ocalan to appear in parliament and call for the dissolution of the armed group.
The CHP leader also criticized Bahceli’s proposal, saying it excludes the parliament, within which such decisions should be discussed.
“Without a complete social consensus, there will be no resolution,” Ozel said. “If this issue is to be solved, it should be discussed at a table with all political parties present.”
Ozel encouraged that the issues of Kurds in Turkey should be resolved through the constitution while calling for Kurds to have a more inclusive role within the Republic of Turkey.
“Without addressing the constitutional grievances of the Kurds, you cannot solve this issue with a solution tailored to one individual. We value every step taken to reconcile 86 million citizens,” Ozel said.
“I agree, Mr. Devlet, I also offer Kurds a state,” he added. “I propose that Kurds who do not feel fully belonging to the state, to become the rightful owners of the Republic of Turkey. Let’s create a country where no one feels like an outsider.”
Bahceli’s comments were met with different reactions. Later in the day, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said a door was opened by the alliance of his party with the MHP to “end terror” in the country, adding that it should not be squandered.
“We do not want the historic window of opportunity opened by the People's Alliance to be sacrificed for personal agendas. We want to build a Turkey free of terrorism together,” Erdogan said, referring to the AKP-MHP alliance.
The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) co-chair Tulay Hatimogullari responded to Bahceli on Tuesday, stating that ending the isolation of Ocalan is a requirement for any form of a peace process to start in the country, adding that her party is ready to launch an initiative.
“If there is to be a beginning, the isolation must be lifted immediately. We are ready to take the initiative for an honorable peace,” Hatimogullari said inside the parliament.
The DEM Party is routinely accused of being the political wing of the PKK. Founded in 1978, the PKK initially called for the establishment of an independent Kurdistan but now calls for autonomy. The group is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey and western allies. Earlier this year, the Iraqi government also declared it as a banned organization.
On October 1, however, Bahceli made an unprecedented gesture by greeting members of the DEM Party inside the Turkish parliament. Bahceli extended his hand to DEM Party leaders, including Bakirhan.
Following the move, Bahceli said that “a new era is starting in the country. When we ask for peace in the world, we should maintain peace in our country.”
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