ANKARA — Politician and writer Abdülbaki Erdoğmuş stated that Abdullah Öcalan is the main interlocutor for resolving the Kurdish issue and that the newly established parliamentary "National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission" must engage in direct dialogue with him.
Following Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan’s “Call for Peace and Democratic Society” and PKK’s disarmament decision, a commission established in the Parliament.
The 51-member commission, composed of parties with a group in the Parliament, held its first meeting with the participation of 48 deputies. It is not yet known what steps the commission, whose name was unanimously adopted as the "Commission on National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy", will pave the way for in the process.
Referring to PKK’s recent decision to dissolve itself and disarm following Öcalan's "Call for Peace and Democratic Society", Erdoğmuş emphasized that: “This proves once again Öcalan’s significant influence on both the state and the PKK. His leadership is central to any peace process.”
He pointed out the symbolic disarmament ceremony in Sulaymaniyah as a demonstration of the PKK’s commitment to the process, saying the organization has fulfilled its initial responsibilities.
CONCERNS ABOUT THE COMMISSION AND GOVERNMENT INTENTIONS
While welcoming the establishment of the parliamentary commission, Erdoğmuş raised concerns: “The harmony between Bahçeli (MHP) and Öcalan is promising, but I’m skeptical of Erdoğan’s true intentions. If the goal is political gain rather than sincere resolution, the process won’t succeed.”
He urged that the executive branch must act in harmony and with determination, otherwise any outcome would remain superficial.
THE NEED TO ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES
Erdoğmuş stressed that defining the Kurdish issue solely as a matter of disarmament is misleading: “If the problem isn’t just PKK laying down arms, then broader issues must be addressed, such as democratization, Kurdish identity, equality, justice, and coexistence.”
He noted that current constitutional and legal frameworks are neither fair nor democratic, which limits the scope for genuine reform unless restructured.
DIALOGUE WITH ÖCALAN IS CRUCIAL
Highlighting Öcalan’s central role, Erdoğmuş said: “It is unrealistic for the commission to reach consensus without engaging Öcalan. Since he represents the PKK, the delegation must visit İmralı and hold discussions with him, possibly multiple times if needed.”
Erdoğmuş also underscored two urgent matters: “Mother tongue rights should be constitutionally guaranteed, as no meaningful peace or freedom is possible without linguistic rights. Political prisoners must be released unconditionally. Such a step would make the process more credible and trustworthy.”
He expressed hope that this would be among the first recommendations of the current parliamentary commission.
MA / Melik Varol