Following Öcalan’s appeal, the Peace and Democratic Society Group held a symbolic disarmament ceremony on July 11 in Şikefta Casenê, a rural area in Sulaymaniyah in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The ceremony was attended by artists, academics, journalists, politicians, and human rights advocates from around the world.

 

Karadaş welcomed Öcalan’s call and said the Circassian community must have a seat at the table in shaping Turkey’s democratic future. Karadaş praised the February 27 “Peace and Democratic Society” appeal and the PKK’s decision to lay down arms as an important opportunity for democratization in Turkey.

 

“No one with basic human values should feel disturbed by the words ‘peace’ and ‘democracy.’ But in Turkey, these concepts have long been emptied of meaning by politicians and intellectuals,” he said.

 

Karadaş argued that peace must be followed by genuine democratization and warned that Turkey’s official ideology continues to marginalize ethnic and religious minorities: “You cannot grow democracy in a country that denies the existence of its Kurdish, Circassian, Laz, or Syriac communities.”

 

CALL FOR A NEW, INCLUSIVE CONSTITUTION

 

According to Karadaş, true peace in Turkey requires comprehensive constitutional reform: “We need a new constitution written not just by political parties, but by representatives of all identities, civil society, and independent intellectuals.”

 

He criticized Turkey’s existing approach to identity and education, which he said is rooted in assimilationist policies: “The founding philosophy of the state has been to Turkify and Sunnify all other identities. This must end. The state must acknowledge its wrongdoing toward Kurds, Circassians, Syriacs, and others, and issue a formal apology.”

 

‘DISARMAMENT ACT HELD SYMBOLIC POWER’

 

Karadaş also reflected on the symbolic meaning of the PKK’s weapon-burning ceremony, noting its resonance with Kurdish mythology: “The act of burning weapons in a cauldron by a group of 15 men and 15 women referenced the legend of Demirci Kawa, a blacksmith who symbolizes resistance and freedom in Kurdish folklore. It was not just a gesture of disarmament, it was a declaration of rebirth and commitment to peace.”

 

‘CIRCASSIANS WANT A ROLE IN THE PROCESS’

 

Karadaş emphasized the importance of Öcalan’s invitation to share feedback and proposals, stating: “Circassian intellectuals and institutions have previously submitted constitutional reform proposals both in Turkey and at the European Parliament. Our core demand is true democracy. We want to be part of this work.”

 

He concluded by expressing hope that all identities in Turkey, without hierarchy or exclusion, would be part of the journey toward lasting peace: “This process can only succeed if it includes diverse voices, without prejudice. I consider Öcalan’s call meaningful, and Circassians are ready to contribute.”

 

MA / Esra Solin Dal