DEM Party MP Urges Peace-Building Role for Parliamentary Commission on Kurdish Question

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In an interview with Kurdistan24, Hüseyin Olan, the DEM Party Member of Parliament for Bitlis, has called for Turkey’s newly formed Reconciliation Commission to focus not only on disarmament but also on establishing a foundation for a democratic and peaceful resolution to the Kurdish question.

Speaking on the significance of the commission, Olan stressed that this is the first time in the history of the Turkish Parliament that a body of this nature has been established to address the Kurdish people’s issue. “If the work of the commission is solely on disarmament, this is wrong,” he said. “The commission should work on this basis: How will weapons be laid down? In what way will they be laid down? Where will those who hand over their weapons go? These matters should be addressed through dialogue and discussion.”

Olan underscored that the Kurdish question is not merely a matter of terrorism but a deep historical and structural problem. “Why did our Kurdish people take up arms? For 42 years they have been fighting in the mountains. When the conditions for laying down arms are met, no one will take them up again. The Kurdish question is a century-old problem of denial of language, culture, and existence,” he stated.

Describing it as an issue that concerns all of Turkey, Olan said, “Today in Turkey, the Kurdish question harms every aspect of life—economic, political, and social. Everyone suffers from it. Therefore, this commission should establish the language of peace.”

Olan expressed hope that the commission would serve as a basis for a lasting solution. “It should establish a legal and constitutional foundation for resolution. It should engage with academics, universities, unions, and political parties. It must even go to Imrali and hold talks with Mr. Öcalan to lay the groundwork for a solution, so that no one is forced to take up arms again for their rights,” he concluded.