Nurshan Abdi

Kobani_ The “Peace and Domocratic Society” process was launched in North Kurdistan and Turkey on the initiative of leader Abdullah Öcalan On February 27, 2025. To move the process forward, leader Öcalan has taken dozens of steps that open the doors to a comprehensive democratic solution.

However, despite more than a year having passed since the launch of the process, no legal and human rights framework has been established to enable full democratic integration. In this context, the Turkish state appears weak and hesitant in dealing with this issue, raising widespread fears and doubts.

Ayşe Efendi, a member of the Council of Martyrs’ Families in Kobani, said in an exclusive interview with our agency that the historic call made by leader Abdullah Öcalan was welcomed by millions. “After 49 years of struggle, war, martyrs, displacement, and the like in the four parts of Kurdistan, this announcement constituted a new breath and the beginning of a new phase.”

She explained that “ on the part of our institutions, extensive preparations were made for this phase, and everyone was ready for the peace process and for the success of leader Öcalan’s call.

Many great steps were taken, including the symbolic destruction of weapons by the guerrilla, a message expressing the end of the war phase.”

Ayşe Efendi also pointed to the people’s concerns about the Turkish state. “From the very beginning, everyone was watching how the Turkish state would deal with this call.the Kurdish people, on the other hand, made their position clear from the first moment and showed their trust in toward the Turkish state.”

Of course, the  people's fears are not without reason, as our speaker explained. "Over many years, leader Öcalan repeatedly tried to reach a ceasefire and push the solution path forward, but the Turkish state would break it every time."

She reaffirmed that the Kurds are skeptical of the Turkish state's intentions. "More than a year has passed since the process began, but it is still moving in one direction. To this day, political repression continues in North Kurdistan and Turkey. There are still arrests and prosecutions, and the fate of thousands of detainees has not yet been decided. In short, there is talk of a peace process, but there are no serious changes in the Turkish state's structure or policies."

"To date, no legal status has been determined for leader Öcalan"

She believes that no changes have occurred regarding the legal status of leader Öcalan. "No legal changes have been made concerning leader Öcalan's status, and to date, no human rights or legal steps have been taken regarding his situation. Devlet Bahçeli had said that leader Öcalan should participate in parliament, but no political or legal action has been taken in this framework. Even a committee was formed, but it has not yet begun its work."

Ayşe Efendi believes that if the Turkish state continues to close its doors and act in this manner, the fighters of the Freedom Movement are ready and have committed to their promises until the end. She also explains that they are "as ready for peace as they are ready to defend their existence."

She affirms the people's support for the peace path. "Just as we supported our children from the beginning, we will continue to show our support for any decision taken. As long as this process and this cause continue, we will always stand ready. Undoubtedly, this process needs to succeed. For this call to reach its conclusion, the Turkish state must take legal steps. It is necessary to make changes in parliament and the constitution, and to fulfill the promises made to leader Öcalan and the Kurdish people."

Ayşe Efendi concluded by stressing the need to release thousands of detainees, open the door to democratic political work, along with dozens of other steps required to reach a solution.