Tuncer Bakırhan: “Öcalan will make a historic call”

News About Turkey - NAT
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Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), is preparing to make a “historic call” in the coming days, according to Tuncer Bakırhan, co-chairperson of Turkey’s main pro-Kurdish party, the DEM Party.

Speaking at a party meeting, Bakırhan mentioned Öcalan’s forthcoming announcement but refrained from providing details. He emphasized the significance of the moment, stating, “Everything is now in Erdoğan’s hands. … This is your chance to write history, Mr. Erdoğan.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in remarks last month, expressed “cautious optimism” about the negotiations, acknowledging “significant progress” in the talks.

Will the Call Be Made on February 15?

When asked whether Öcalan will make the call on February 15, the date when he was captured in Kenya and brought to Turkey, Bakırhan responded, “I don’t know if it will be on February 15, but there will be a call in the coming days.”

Call to Lay Down Arms?

When asked whether Öcalan’s call would include a message to lay down arms, Bakırhan replied:
“A historic call contains many elements. I do not know its content. I am speaking based on the information we received from the delegation. But it is possible that this call may include similar elements. A preparation is underway, and it will be made very soon.”

MHP’s Bahçeli Calls for Öcalan’s Involvement

The peace talks gained momentum following an unexpected statement by Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and a key Erdoğan ally. Bahçeli suggested that Öcalan should be allowed to address the DEM Party’s parliamentary group and urge the PKK to disband.

Erdoğan described Bahçeli’s proposal as a “historic opportunity” and backed the idea. Following this development, a DEM Party delegation visited Öcalan twice—in December and January—as part of the talks. The delegation also held discussions with various political parties to provide updates on the process.

Öcalan’s Role and Possible Reconciliation

Öcalan, who founded the PKK nearly 50 years ago to advocate for Kurdish rights, has been held in a high-security prison on İmralı Island since 1999.

After his first meeting with DEM Party lawmakers in December, Öcalan described a rapprochement between Turks and Kurds as a “historic responsibility” and expressed his “determination” to participate in a government-led reconciliation process.

Bahçeli also hinted that if Öcalan calls for disarmament, legislative measures could be introduced to facilitate his possible release—a move that has sparked intense political debate.

Public Reaction and Skepticism

Critics argue that the public remains largely uninformed about the contents of the negotiations. Many question what concessions the government might offer to persuade the PKK to lay down its arms and whether Ankara is willing to expand Kurdish cultural, political, and linguistic rights.

A recent survey by Istanbul-based Spectrum House found that 58.5% of Turkish citizens disapprove of Bahçeli’s call for Öcalan to be given a political platform.

The last attempt at a peace process, initiated by the government in 2015, collapsed, leading to a resurgence of violence in Turkey’s predominantly Kurdish southeast.

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