ANKARA – Zeynel Kete, Co-chair of the Democratic Alevi Association (DAD) and representative of the Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, emphasized that Abdullah Öcalan should be heard by the parliamentary commission. “Öcalan and his team should come to Parliament. Bringing the parties together will strengthen the peace process,” he said.
The parliamentary commission established as part of the peace process initiated by Kurdish Leader Abdullah Öcalan continues its work. Many political parties have invited numerous figures to testify before the commission.
Kete highlighted that this is a historic moment in the century-old history of the republic, noting that the 1924 Constitution was founded on a singularist principle—“one language, one religion, one sect, one race, one type”—which shaped security bureaucracy and justified operations against minorities.
Kete stressed that society, like nature with its diversity, rejects singularism. “The root of the problems is a process of denial and destruction. The newly initiated process has many causes. There has been a war lasting over forty years characterized by denial and annihilation. The Kurdish people have now been recognized, and the denial process has ended. From here on, it is a process of freedom,” he said.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MOTHER TONGUE
Kete emphasized the significance of speaking one’s native language and criticized any attempts to prevent people from speaking Kurdish, Armenian, Laz, Turkish, or any other language as their mother tongue, stating, “Speaking in one’s mother tongue is both a divine command and a right.”
MASSACRES AGAINST ALEVIS
Discussing the place of peace in Alevism, Kete recalled the heavy genocides and massacres Alevis have suffered, especially during the nation-state period. He noted that many massacres in Iran, Iraq, Syria, the Middle East, Mesopotamia, and Turkey occurred during the era of republican modernity. Kete said: “Because of this, Alevis have a significant contribution to the peace process. The more a society fights for peace, democracy, truth, and freedom, and pays its dues, the more it defends a culture of democracy and peace.”
ALEVI DEMANDS
Kete addressed Alevi demands, pointing out that many sacred sites, such as those of Hacı Bektaş and other Alevi-Bektashi heritage, were confiscated, turned into mosques or museums under the law on tekkes and lodges. He argued these sacred places should be returned to their communities through democratic politics and the new commission. Kete also called for a secular and freedom-oriented approach, proposing a “Council of Faith Affairs” to ensure the state remains equally distant from all beliefs. He criticized the state’s ideological use of religion and called for the removal of exclusionary and biased content against Alevis in educational materials, advocating that Alevi religion classes be taught by Alevi teachers and that religious courses be optional and democratic.
‘ÖCALAN SHOULD BE HEARD IN THE COMMISSION’
Kete concluded by stressing the need for Abdullah Öcalan and his team to participate directly in the parliamentary process, saying: “Either Öcalan and his team come to Parliament or the commission goes to İmralı. This would ease the process, clarify those advocating peace, and allow direct dialogue between parties. This will neutralize the state’s off-norm propaganda efforts and marginalize those opposing the peace struggle.”