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No concrete steps from Erdoğan as calls for reform grow after PKK ceremony marking farewell to arms
15.07.2024
By Turkish Minute
Source: https://www.turkishminute.com/2025/07/15/no-concrete-steps-from-erdogan-as-calls-for-reform-grow-after-pkk-ceremony-marking-farewell-to-arms/
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday refrained from announcing any concrete steps in response to growing calls for political reform and reintegration after a historic ceremony last week that marked the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) laying down of arms, offering instead vague promises of a “new era” in his address.
Speaking at an event in parliament marking the ninth anniversary of the defeat of a 2016 coup attempt, Erdoğan praised the recent transition to a “terrorism-free Turkey” but failed to mention any legal or political measures following the symbolic destruction of weapons by a group of PKK members in northern Iraq on Friday.
“Our country will rise in every field, and a brand new era will begin in every sector,” Erdoğan said in his speech. “A Turkey free of terrorism will unlock the path to a region free of terrorism.” He described the peace process as the legacy of the country’s martyrs and veterans but offered no response to mounting demands for the release of political prisoners or the reintegration of former militants into civilian life.
A previous speech on Saturday, promoted by officials as a potential turning point, had been met with disappointment by rights groups and political stakeholders who had anticipated a shift toward democratic policies following Abdullah Öcalan’s call for the PKK to lay down its arms in February and the PKK’s ceremonial burning of weapons on Friday.
The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) reiterated that they are conducting the negotiations with the state, not with any political party, emphasizing that the peace effort must be institutionalized and broadened to include legislative reform.
“Legal amendments must be made for PKK groups who have laid down their arms,” DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları said during a televised interview. “If they are going to be arrested when they come, they can’t come. Concrete steps are essential for the process to become permanent.”
Hatimoğulları also said communication channels must be reopened to allow PKK leader Öcalan to speak to journalists, academics and the public.
Despite these calls, Erdoğan’s remarks largely centered on the events of July 15, 2016, reiterating narratives about the faith-based Gülen movement’s alleged role in the attempted coup and praising national unity. He made no mention of Öcalan, amnesty or pending legislation.
The Peace and Democratic Society Group of 30 PKK members who disarmed in Sulaymaniyah also voiced concern about the government’s silence. Spokesperson Tekin Muş told the Numedya24 news website that the group’s laying down of arms was a first step but warned that no further action would be taken without reciprocal steps by the Turkish state.
“If no steps are taken, there is no plan for a second group to come and destroy their weapons,” Muş said. Fellow spokesperson Tekoşin Ozan echoed the warning, calling the July 11 action a test of good faith. “Do not expect anything different if no steps are taken,” she said.
Another spokesperson, Nedim Seven, said the peace process remains fragile. “If there is another attack on the Kurdish people, if Öcalan’s physical freedom is not secured, and if democratic politics is not allowed to proceed, new crisis points will emerge,” he warned.
The process was set in motion in October when Erdoğan’s far-right ally, Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahçeli, called for Öcalan to order the PKK to lay down its arms, which led to Öcalan’s February message after months of negotiations. The July 11 ceremony, which included senior PKK commander Bese Hozat and other senior PKK figures, marked the most significant gesture in the organization’s shift from armed conflict toward civilian political participation.
In a striking reversal of his earlier opposition, Patriotic Party (VP) Chairman Doğu Perinçek — a hardline nationalist long known for rejecting negotiations with the PKK — publicly backed the initiative and questioned the continued imprisonment of Abdullah Öcalan.
“Why are you letting Abdullah Öcalan rot in prison when DEM Party MPs are in parliament?” Perinçek said during an appearance on GDH TV. He called Öcalan the figure “playing the most positive role in this process” and implied that there was no meaningful difference between Öcalan and other Kurdish politicians now operating legally.
The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) also issued a statement on Tuesday urging the government to release ill prisoners and end pretrial detention for political detainees. “Peace is not just the silence of weapons, but also the administration of justice,” the group said, calling for a transparent process that includes all segments of society. The statement also demanded the end of trustee appointments and the reinstatement of elected officials removed from office.
While Erdoğan continues to frame the developments as a national success, the absence of legislative action has fueled skepticism about Ankara’s commitment to meaningful peace.
15.07.2024
By Turkish Minute
Source: https://www.turkishminute.com/2025/07/15/no-
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday refrained from announcing any concrete steps in response to growing calls for political reform and reintegration after a historic ceremony last week that marked the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) laying down of arms, offering instead vague promises of a “new era” in his address.
Speaking at an event in parliament marking the ninth anniversary of the defeat of a 2016 coup attempt, Erdoğan praised the recent transition to a “terrorism-
“Our country will rise in every field, and a brand new era will begin in every sector,” Erdoğan said in his speech. “A Turkey free of terrorism will unlock the path to a region free of terrorism.” He described the peace process as the legacy of the country’s martyrs and veterans but offered no response to mounting demands for the release of political prisoners or the reintegration of former militants into civilian life.
A previous speech on Saturday, promoted by officials as a potential turning point, had been met with disappointment by rights groups and political stakeholders who had anticipated a shift toward democratic policies following Abdullah Öcalan’s call for the PKK to lay down its arms in February and the PKK’s ceremonial burning of weapons on Friday.
The pro-
“Legal amendments must be made for PKK groups who have laid down their arms,” DEM Party Co-
Hatimoğulları also said communication channels must be reopened to allow PKK leader Öcalan to speak to journalists, academics and the public.
Despite these calls, Erdoğan’s remarks largely centered on the events of July 15, 2016, reiterating narratives about the faith-
The Peace and Democratic Society Group of 30 PKK members who disarmed in Sulaymaniyah also voiced concern about the government’s silence. Spokesperson Tekin Muş told the Numedya24 news website that the group’s laying down of arms was a first step but warned that no further action would be taken without reciprocal steps by the Turkish state.
“If no steps are taken, there is no plan for a second group to come and destroy their weapons,” Muş said. Fellow spokesperson Tekoşin Ozan echoed the warning, calling the July 11 action a test of good faith. “Do not expect anything different if no steps are taken,” she said.
Another spokesperson, Nedim Seven, said the peace process remains fragile. “If there is another attack on the Kurdish people, if Öcalan’s physical freedom is not secured, and if democratic politics is not allowed to proceed, new crisis points will emerge,” he warned.
The process was set in motion in October when Erdoğan’s far-
In a striking reversal of his earlier opposition, Patriotic Party (VP) Chairman Doğu Perinçek — a hardline nationalist long known for rejecting negotiations with the PKK — publicly backed the initiative and questioned the continued imprisonment of Abdullah Öcalan.
“Why are you letting Abdullah Öcalan rot in prison when DEM Party MPs are in parliament?” Perinçek said during an appearance on GDH TV. He called Öcalan the figure “playing the most positive role in this process” and implied that there was no meaningful difference between Öcalan and other Kurdish politicians now operating legally.
The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) also issued a statement on Tuesday urging the government to release ill prisoners and end pretrial detention for political detainees. “Peace is not just the silence of weapons, but also the administration of justice,” the group said, calling for a transparent process that includes all segments of society. The statement also demanded the end of trustee appointments and the reinstatement of elected officials removed from office.
While Erdoğan continues to frame the developments as a national success, the absence of legislative action has fueled skepticism about Ankara’s commitment to meaningful peace.