Our Co-Chairs, Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan, held a press conference in Ankara regarding the PKK’s withdrawal from Turkey as part of the Peace and Democratic Society Process.
Excerpts from the speeches of Bakırhan and Hatimoğulları:
Bakırhan: It is now time to move toward social peace through legal and political steps
"Yesterday marked a historic moment. We did not reach this stage overnight. On October 1, 2024, Mr. Bahçeli extended an unexpected and groundbreaking hand to us under the roof of the Grand National Assembly (Turkey’s parliament). Then, on February 27, Mr. Öcalan made a call that changed the course of a conflict that has lasted more than 40 years. Mr. Öcalan’s call for the PKK to lay down arms and dissolve itself was a true milestone. The PKK convened its congress on May 5-7 and declared its dissolution. On July 11, weapons were burned. In October 2025, President Erdoğan came to our party’s benches in the General Assembly, and his handshake renewed confidence in the will for peace. Finally, just yesterday, we witnessed one of the most significant and meaningful steps in this process. The PKK announced that it had completely withdrawn its forces from Turkey, declaring to the world its firm commitment to peace and resolution. This decision opens the door to a new phase, one that makes resolution and peace possible."
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"With this, the first phase of the process has come to a close. Following the congress decisions, the burning of weapons, and now the withdrawal, a new page has begun. It’s time to write our own story, without waiting for solutions to come from elsewhere. That means moving to societal peace through legal and political steps. This peace belongs not for just one societal segment but for the whole country. Our biggest task now is to carry this process forward a shared and equal future for 86 million people. The process must evolve through laws, rights, and freedoms. The language of politics and democracy must be strengthened. Law must be the foundation of peace, and justice the foundation of our future.
Mr. Öcalan has shown great determination and a strong vision for peace, both in yesterday’s decision and in all the steps leading here. To enable him to play a more active role, the necessary paths and conditions must be created. He should have free working conditions, communication, and living conditions."
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"Turkey’s Parliament must act responsibly in this historic moment. The decisions and laws made in this period will be written in history books. Therefore, the Parliament must facilitate this process and make the necessary legal arrangements for the transition period."
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"Solving the Kurdish question means democratizing Turkey. If Turkey becomes democratic, everyone benefits. This is why responsibility lies not only with one side alone but also with the state, the government, the security bureaucracy, the judiciary, and all other institutions. Everyone must act in line with the will for peace. The negative reflexes and rhetoric of the past must be left behind. We must embrace a democratic mindset and language for the future. The media, too, must serve as a bridge for peace by choosing inclusive and constructive language over divisive or hostile narratives."
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"Those who benefit from conflict and the defenders of the status quo may try to sabotage this process. There may be provocations, fear campaigns, and smear efforts. But we will stand firm and continue on the path of peace. This is our process, our peace, and our future. And we are hopeful for peace, for the future, for 86 million people."
Hatimoğulları: Let history not judge us for failing to build peace when we had the chance
"To our dear citizens who have long awaited peace for a century: Every step taken within the Peace and Democratic Society Process, every stance in favor of peace, strengthens our collective hope. It is essential that all segments of society embrace this process, because building a common and equal future is a historic responsibility for everyone."
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"In the second century of the Republic, our task is to advance justice and the rule of law, eliminate inequalities, and crown the Republic with democracy. If we interpret the past year correctly, the historic steps taken have given us a great opportunity to democratize the Republic in its second century. A Republic where the judiciary is independent, local democracy is realized, identities and beliefs are not defined by the state, and all spheres of life -from health to education- function within a democratic system, will be a republic that belongs to all."
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"At this stage, we believe that full and open channels of dialogue must operate between all political actors and parties. We aim to bring a vision of societal peace to life through processes that include every part of society. This is not only a political process but also a cultural and social transformation. That’s why we call on all segments of society: No one should see themselves outside this process or remain on the sidelines. Our thoughts and views may differ, we may have criticism. That is natural and makes us stronger. But being united for peace and seizing this historic opportunity together is of vital importance."
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"The duty and responsibility of building peace belong to all of us. From the streets to the Parliament, if all segments of society take part and embrace this process more strongly, together we will help it reach an honorable peace. Because peace and democracy are not granted to us; they can only be built hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, through collective struggle.
We repeat our call for joint struggle to opposition parties, their leaders, social movements, and our alliance partners.
We also have a call to the government and the state. In this new phase, taking swift political and legal steps will be crucial for the process to move forward. I must emphasize again: Society has huge expectations from both the government and from the parliament. Now the people’s voice, the voice of peace, the call for democracy must now be heard."
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"Peace has no losers. Let us struggle together so that all the peoples of Turkey may win together.
Let history not judge us for failing to build peace when we had the chance. Let history remember us as a society and democratic forces that showed the courage and determination to build peace together. From political parties to democratic organizations, civil society, Alevi communities, all peoples and faiths, and the press; we extend our gratitude to all who have contributed to this process."
27 October 2025