-
Bahçeli's Kurdish Reconciliation Initiative: Turkish Political Debate Over Inviting Öcalan to Parliament
-
The varying reactions among Turkish political forces reflect a deep division over mechanisms for dealing with Kurdish rights in the country, while Öcalan's continued isolation in İmralı prison remains
Turkish Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli sparked widespread controversy in the Turkish political scene with his unexpected call for Abdullah Öcalan to speak in the Turkish parliament during a Democratic Movement Party meeting, an unprecedented move from a hardline nationalist figure.
Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel launched a bold initiative at his parliamentary group meeting, saying: "Devlet Bey, I too offer the state to the Kurds. I say to those Kurds who don't consider themselves belonging to the state, come and own the Turkish Republic," calling for making Kurds true partners in the republic so they don't feel like "others."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan commented cautiously on the proposal, saying: "The window of historic opportunity opened by the Republic agreement should not fall victim to personal calculations," adding that "problems and street politics will harm not only those who resort to them but the entire country," emphasizing the importance of maintaining the country's stability.
Lawyer İbrahim Bilmez, Öcalan's legal representative, expressed his position stating: "Bahçeli's words are important," emphasizing the need to end his client's isolation, noting that "for 44 months we have been demanding to see Öcalan and the Ministry of Justice refuses," revealing a complete communication blackout with his client since 2011.
The co-chair of the Democratic Party, Tulay Hatimoğulları, addressed Bahçeli saying: "Remove the tension and let Mr. Öcalan speak," in an explicit call to ease restrictions on the PKK leader.
Turkish authorities continue to reject lawyers' requests to meet Öcalan, with at least 13 rejections recorded over 8 years, the latest being on May 3, 2024, when the Bursa Criminal Court rejected a new request to meet Öcalan and other prisoners in İmralı.
Observers view these developments as potentially representing a new window of opportunity for addressing the Kurdish issue in Turkey, despite continuing deep disagreements over solution mechanisms and required political approaches.
Levant-Follow up
