The process launched following Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s “Call for Peace and a Democratic Society” on 27 February 2025 has become one of the most widely discussed topics in public debate, while reactions continue over the state and government’s silence on “legal steps”. 

 

Members of the Wan (Van) Peace Mothers Assembly said that in order for the process to advance, Abdullah Öcalan and ill prisoners must be released.

 

Fazilet Polat said the process, which began with Abdullah Öcalan, could reach its goal only if his physical freedom is ensured, adding: “Without Abdullah Öcalan’s freedom, the peace process cannot progress. This process has been ongoing for nearly two years, but we have still not seen any step taken by the state. Everyone speaks in parliament, but no one takes action. We want the process to accelerate. They should release ill prisoners. We want our people to be free. They should do something so that we can trust them.”

 

‘ABDULLAH ÖCALAN HAS FULFILLED HIS ROLE’

 

Amine Engüdar stressed that peace would not be possible without Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom, saying: “It has been two years since the process began. Abdullah Öcalan has fulfilled everything required. A dissolution decision was taken, weapons were burned. Mr Öcalan has done everything expected of him. But unfortunately, the state has not taken such a step. We want the freedom of our leadership. We are here not only for Kurds but for all peoples—Turks, Arabs, Alevis. We will believe in and trust peace only when Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom is ensured.”

 

‘THE PROCESS IS BEING PROLONGED’

 

Gülşen Geylani said the process was being prolonged, continuing: “Peace cannot be achieved without Mr Öcalan’s physical freedom. The state has still not taken a step; prisoners are still being held in prison despite having completed their sentences. If there is a peace process, then they should release our children. Peace is only possible in this way. Turkish Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli says something every day, but there is nothing in practice. How can we trust these statements? Like others, we want to be free in our own land. There are many people in exile. We want them to be able to return to their lands freely. There are thousands of ill prisoners in prisons. Something must be done for them.”

 

‘WE WILL FOLLOW OUR LEADERSHIP’

 

Gülçin Karabulut underlined that they would continue their struggle in the streets until concrete steps are taken by the government and the state, saying: “Mr Öcalan made us very happy by initiating this process. But his physical freedom has still not been secured. This process will not move forward without Mr Öcalan’s freedom. We will follow our leadership until our last drop of blood. Without his freedom, the Kurdish people will not be free. We want the release of prisoners who are unjustly held in prisons. The state has not taken any steps and is not taking any. We will remain in the streets until the state takes concrete steps.”