Murad Mıhçı said that the commission should hear Abdullah Öcalan and his movement, engage with both sides, and work toward shared solutions.
Murad Mıhçı, a Central Executive Board member of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), said that the commission for resolving the Kurdish question strengthens the parliamentary dimension, which was the most lacking element in past negotiation processes. He noted the great importance of creating a democratic working ground in this commission, where almost all segments of society are represented, through the participation of diverse perspectives.
Mıhçı underlined that this process is an important step toward establishing peace in Turkey and enabling democratic circles to act together.
The future of the commission will be shaped by the efforts of pro-democracy groups
Murad Mıhçı emphasized that the formation of the commission is significant because it represents a broad segment of Turkish society, amounting to 80–90 percent of the population. He said: “I am sure subcommittees will also be formed, and various people from different parts of society who generate ideas on these issues will join the commission’s work and contribute to the process. This is a very important and valuable development. The creation of such a commission will provide democratic circles with space to work and to speak, contributing to shaping peace in the country.”
He added that it is also highly valuable for the will of this commission to be formed on a genuine ground that impacts different segments of society, and continued: “Of course, the future of this commission will be shaped by the efforts of the pro-democracy and peace-seeking segments in Turkey. Otherwise, the commission will face criticism and negative statements from the very beginning, and its success will be difficult.
However, it is clear that there is a strong demand across all communities, peoples, and faiths for this process to conclude successfully. This demand has been further strengthened by the current context in the Middle East. As we saw in our conversations with colleagues who attended the commission’s first meeting, and in the statements of Numan Kurtulmuş, the commission has made a good start, and I find this process valuable.
The first meeting of the commission’s work was merely consultative and focused on how the structure would be shaped. Therefore, I believe it would be unrealistic to give society the expectation that major problems will be resolved within a few months.”
Mıhçı pointed out that the process, initiated by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) burning weapons as a symbolic gesture, paved the way for the establishment of the commission. He said: “This is not a bargaining table of ‘I give, you give.’ Democratic demands are not merely requests; they represent a reality. These demands must be implemented in line with international universal law and Turkish legislation. It is not right to view this process as a pursuit of personal or political gain.”
Demands should be seen not as a gesture but as a reality
Mıhçı also said: “In the next stages of the commission’s work, various previously stated demands will need to be interpreted more clearly. Yes, there are expectations within society, but the commission’s work can help clarify these expectations. Issues such as education in the mother tongue and the release of political and sick prisoners should be treated as priorities. These demands should be seen not as a gesture, but as a reality.”
He added: ‘‘One of the important interlocutors in this process is Mr. Öcalan. Listening to his views and those of his organization, and for the commission to meet with these parties and produce solutions, is crucial. Providing the opportunity for both sides’ perspectives to be discussed is important for the healthy progress of the process.
I believe we are still at a very early stage in this matter. In fact, I can say that even the alphabet of the process has not yet been written
