ESKİŞEHİR – Peace Academic Muzaffer Kaya has called for a democratic mobilization in support of the new parliamentary peace process in Turkey. Speaking on the work of the recently established commission, Kaya emphasized that the process must be pushed forward collectively by all democratic forces.

 

The “Commission on National Solidarity, Fraternity and Democracy” was formed following Abdullah Öcalan’s February 27 “Call for Peace and Democratic Society.” Kaya welcomed the commission’s inclusivity and said that the suggestion by the CHP to adopt decisions by qualified majority was a positive distinction.

 

‘ACADEMICS MUST RETURN TO UNIVERSITIES’

 

Kaya noted that nearly nine years ago, he and hundreds of other academics signed a declaration for peace, calling for an end to human rights violations in the Kurdish regions and the resumption of peace negotiations.

 

“Now, the state appears to be returning to the point we advocated back then. If a new peace table is being established, it must include steps to reinstate the Peace Academics. Conditions for their return to universities should be created,” he said.

 

‘PRESSURE MUST BE LIFTED ACROSS THE COUNTRY’

 

Kaya also emphasized that any peace process must involve practical legal and political steps. These include; Legal pathways for PKK members to participate in democratic politics post-disarmament. The release of political prisoners, including those jailed in the Gezi Park case. Reducing pressure on democratic actors across; both the Kurdish region and western Turkey. “The country needs both a Kurdish opening and a broader democratic relaxation,” Kaya stated.

 

He further stressed the importance of transparency: “The process must be open and accessible to the public. The government, media, and opposition must adopt language that promotes peace rather than division. Concrete democratic reforms must accompany any talks.”

 

‘DEMOCRATIC FORCES CANNOT BE PASSIVE OBSERVERS’

 

Noting the limitations of the parliamentary commission, Kaya warned that democratic actors must not remain on the sidelines: “There is deep public mistrust of the ruling party. This process carries real risks. If democratic movements remain passive, those risks will only grow.”

 

He welcomed the participation of opposition parties like the CHP, TİP, and EMEP, and added: “This process must be actively supported and advanced. All forces should launch a joint democratic mobilization.”

 

‘MEETING WITH ÖCALAN WOULD ACCELERATE THE PROCESS’

 

Kaya argued that for the Kurdish public, the key interlocutor in any peace process remains Abdullah Öcalan: “There is no legal or moral obstacle to politicians or journalists meeting with Öcalan. On the contrary, such talks would accelerate the process.”

 

He proposed that a delegation from within the commission should engage in direct dialogue with Öcalan: “Meetings in İmralı would make the process more effective and meaningful.”

 

MA / Enes Beyaz