Nicolas Walder praised Abdullah Öcalan and the PKK for their stance towards peace, stressing that Öcalan’s freedom is vital for the process.
Under the leadership of Abdullah Öcalan, who has been held in severe isolation conditions in Imralı Island Prison for 26 years, the “Peace and Democratic Society” process is gaining increasing support and resonance internationally. Various social groups and international circles welcome the dialogue and solution-oriented steps of the Kurdish Freedom Movement. Strong calls are being made on the Turkish state to take concrete political and legal steps to ensure the process becomes permanent and meaningful; in particular, emphasis is placed on the need to guarantee Abdullah Öcalan’s freedom and conditions for negotiation.
Nicolas Walder, Deputy Co-Chair of the Swiss Green Party, Member of the Federal Parliament, and Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, evaluated developments regarding the democratic resolution of the Kurdish question for ANF.
Walder, drawing attention to the stance towards peace demonstrated by Abdullah Öcalan and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in an environment dominated by war, said: “Just as fighting is an act of courage, so insisting on peace also requires courage. In this sense, I salute the courage of Mr. Öcalan and the PKK.”
Supporting the PKK’s peace initiative is necessary
For over 26 years, Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan has been held as a prisoner under severe isolation conditions in Imralı Island Prison. Under his leadership, a new process has emerged in Turkey aimed at the democratic resolution of the Kurdish question. How do you view the existence of such a process?
This is an important signal for the peace process. I see the existence of this process as a very positive sign in terms of the democratic resolution of the Kurdish issue. When we look at the massacres continuing in many parts of the world today, the genocide in Gaza, the massacres in Ukraine and Sudan and then see, in such a context, the possibility of resolving a conflict, or at least moving forward positively at the table through a diplomatic and political process, this is extremely valuable.
I believe that the peace initiative launched by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) must be welcomed. We also see some indications that the Turkish government and the Turkish Parliament are sensitive to this process. Therefore, I truly hope that this initiative will bear fruit, allowing for the re-establishment of genuine dialogue and, above all, the achievement of a stable peace settlement. This process must be welcomed and supported, because such peace processes are very rare in today’s world.
I salute Öcalan’s courage and the virtue of peace
After the call made by Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan on 27 February, the 12th Congress of the PKK adopted a series of historic decisions, including the possible dissolution of the movement. To demonstrate the sincerity of the process, a group of PKK guerrillas destroyed their weapons. As a politician closely following the region, how do you evaluate this peace-oriented stance of the PKK?
In my view, just as fighting is an act of courage, so too does choosing the diplomatic and peaceful path, when the possibility of negotiations arises in order to stop deaths require courage. I salute the courage of Mr. Öcalan, and at the same time, despite there being no guarantee of success today, I salute the courage of the PKK for choosing this path.
Yes, there is no guarantee, but even so they have chosen to take this risk, and I salute that courage. To stand for peace, to seek to resolve a conflict through peaceful means, is a risk everyone should be willing to take. Truly, I welcome this initiative. I believe that both Turkey and the Kurdish people will benefit from the peaceful resolution of this conflict.
Ultimately, Turkey has nothing to lose by recognizing the Kurdish people and granting them a certain degree of autonomy. The Kurdish people, in turn, can continue to live well together with the people of Turkey within its borders. I believe that common ground for an agreement is possible, and it is time to move beyond the logic of conflict. Despite being unjustly imprisoned and still kept in prison today, Mr. Öcalan’s proposal of the diplomatic path to peace is a great virtue. I sincerely salute this gesture and courage; it is important.
Öcalan’s choice is courageous
Wars and conflicts continue in many parts of the world, stretching from Ukraine to Gaza, Sudan to Syria. As tensions rise in the region and almost everyone speaks under the shadow of weapons, Abdullah Öcalan has chosen to speak of peace and a peace process. What does such a call mean in a global climate of war?
I see this as a very positive signal. Moreover, this stance demonstrates that at a certain point, war leads nowhere. War does not resolve a conflict, it does not produce a real outcome. Of course, it can be used to exert pressure on the other side, but it does not deliver a lasting solution.
At some point, one must sit at the table, because you have to coexist. Even if you live within separate borders, you must work together at some stage; you must discuss border management, the fight against cross-border crime, economic exchanges, water management, and the struggle against climate change. In short, whatever the outcome of war, dialogue eventually becomes unavoidable.
War is, in fact, an unnecessary interlude that some choose; yet regardless, peace must be built afterward. I believe Mr. Öcalan understood that the time has come to negotiate demands in a peaceful and diplomatic way at the table, without abandoning them. He has taken this risk, trusting that both the Turkish side and the Kurdish side are reasonable enough to realize how much they could gain from peace. This is a courageous choice; I salute it. And it is a choice that, at some point, everyone must make, because war brings nothing but destruction, poverty, death, injury, and despair. It is the last resort when a people are cornered.
The interest of both sides lies in a peaceful solution, in sitting at the table and learning to live together. It is in Turkey’s own interest to foster its unity by respecting the diversity of its people and its population, including the Kurdish people. Recognizing the Kurdish people within the country takes nothing away from Turkey’s unity. Therefore, both sides must come to this understanding. I salute the hand Mr. Öcalan has extended to Turkey, and beyond the establishment of the commission, I hope Turkey seizes this historic opportunity
