DEM-P Parliamentary Leader Urges Overhaul of Anti-Terror Law and Inclusion of Ocalan’s Views in Peace Process

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Gulistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, the head of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM PARTY) parliamentary group, stressed the need to revive and amend Turkey’s anti-terror legislation, while urging the parliamentary Democracy, Brotherhood, and National Unity Commission to consider the views of Abdullah Ocalan in the framework of the peace process.

Koçyiğit underlined the significance of establishing the commission with the broad participation of all political parties in parliament, describing it as a manifestation of political will to pursue a democratic resolution to the Kurdish question.

She explained that the commission’s work initially focused on listening to experienced individuals, experts, and relevant institutions, following a set program. However, with time, she argued that the process required an extension, as weekly meetings alone were insufficient to properly advance the initiative.

Koçyiğit stressed that certain legal amendments must be enacted swiftly, including the suspension of the current anti-terror law, in order to address the roots and causes of the Kurdish issue.

The DEM Party parliamentary leader asserted that addressing the Kurdish question cannot be limited to security measures, emphasizing the urgency of meeting the process’s immediate legal needs without delay. She criticized the prevailing military mindset in Ankara’s approach, stating:

“From the outset, when we spoke about resolving the Kurdish question in Turkey, there was a refusal to accept the Kurdish struggle in Syria, coupled with attacks on the basic rights and freedoms of Kurds in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Under such conditions, peace cannot be established in Turkey. A unified political approach is necessary, because this is how Kurds perceive the issue, and we see it the same way. A political mentality that fails to recognize this reality cannot bring a lasting solution. We reject any attack on Kurds in any part of Kurdistan.”

Koçyiğit further highlighted that the commission should treat Abdullah Ocalan’s perspectives and guidance as a central element of dialogue.

Meanwhile, DEM PARTY spokesperson Ayşegül described the operation carried out earlier today by Istanbul’s Bayrampaşa Municipality as being against the peace process, suggesting it undermines efforts toward a democratic resolution.