Berjam Judi

Kobani — Eight months have passed since the call for “Peace and a Democratic Society” launched by Leader Abdullah Öcalan. Despite the series of steps he has initiated, the Turkish state has yet to respond with any tangible or effective measures.

At a political moment oscillating between promises and disappointments, the “Peace and Democratic Society” initiative emerges as a call that transcends prison walls, addressing the conscience of the entire region.

At the beginning of her assessment, Almaz Romi, Co-chair of the Environment Committee in the Euphrates Canton within the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, reviewed the details of the conspiracy that targeted Leader Öcalan. She affirmed that “the peace and democratic society call launched eight months ago marked a meaningful turning point, given its wide impact on Kurdistan and the entire region. Despite spending 27 years in prison, he has never abandoned his struggle to establish a democratic and peaceful society and to secure the Kurdish people’s rights and existence.”

She added, “Leader Öcalan has devoted 27 years of his life to the pursuit of peace, despite continuous attempts by conspiratorial powers to thwart his project through total isolation, deprivation of his basic rights, and the suppression of his ideas about the liberation of women and Kurdish society. Nevertheless, he has turned his imprisonment into an intellectual and academic center, through which he engages with the issues of Kurdistan and the Middle East, continuing to influence their political and social trajectories.”

Regarding the course of the process, Almaz Romi noted that “Leader Öcalan prepared all the groundwork for the success of this initiative. Despite all the pressures, attacks, and

conspiracies we faced, his projects have proven effective and achieved progress. His will—and that of the people—has been strong. The process began with this strength.”

She confirmed that “under Öcalan’s leadership, a new phase or era began. Following his declaration, the Kurdish movement immediately responded to the call by dissolving the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), thus ending its armed struggle. Therefore, I can say that Leader Öcalan provided a solid foundation for the beginning of a new stage of dialogue, politics, democracy, and peace—despite all the isolation and restrictions imposed on him.”

Concerning the issue of Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom, Almaz Romi pointed out that “a figure like Leader Öcalan, who leads a historic process and presents a strategic, visionary project, remains imprisoned to this day. Although he laid strong foundations for this phase, the restrictions imposed on him prevent him from actively participating in or leading the process as he should.”

She added, “This is a valuable process and a project that has gained appreciation and praise from many, but one cannot speak of genuine success as long as Leader Öcalan is denied his physical freedom. Given the steps he has taken, the authorities should have made serious changes to his detention conditions in line with the developments of this stage.”

“The current situation does not reflect any seriousness from the Turkish state in building peace and democracy. We are closely following this scene and its developments, but so far, the Turkish state remains entrenched in its nationalist–statist mindset and lacks genuine will for resolution and consensus,” Almaz Romi said in her evaluation of the changes related to Imrali Prison’s conditions.

She noted that “if the Turkish state truly intends to find a comprehensive solution, it must allow Leader Öcalan to take part in committees, councils, and parliaments. The meetings with the Imrali delegation and lawyers, as well as the messages coming from prison, are not fully conveyed—they are handled in ways that raise concerns and create further ambiguity.”

Almaz Romi criticized the Turkish state’s repressive policies toward the Kurdish people: “Despite all the progress made, North and East Syria remains among Turkey’s top priorities, as it continues its old approach without change,” adding, “Every day, we hear hostile statements from Turkish officials against Kurds in Northern Kurdistan and North and East Syria. Moreover, the ongoing negotiations to extend the presence of Turkish forces in these regions reflect the persistence of a military approach rather than a search for political solutions.”

She explained that Turkey simultaneously seeks to rebuild its relations with the Syrian Interim Government, asking, “If we analyze all these indicators, what conclusion can we reach?” She affirmed that “through its practices, the Turkish state has taken no positive steps to push the process forward. On the contrary, it weakens and empties it of meaning through its ongoing policies.”

In conclusion, Almaz Romi stressed that “peace and democracy cannot be achieved unilaterally. Therefore, it is essential for the Kurdish people and all communities benefiting from this process to take the initiative in building a new phase and exerting effective pressure to ensure the continuation of the process in a genuine and balanced manner.”