A public meeting organized by KAYY-DER in Ümraniye, Istanbul was marked by messages for the recognition of the Kurdish language and identity and the ongoing process in search of a solution to the Kurdish question.

The event was attended by DEM Party Group Deputy Chair Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, DEM Party Bingöl MP Ömer Faruk Hülakü, representatives of civil society organizations, and many citizens.

Participants reiterated their demand for Kurdish to be recognized as an official and educational language. Heno Ronak, Co-Chair of the Kurdish Studies Association, stated, “Kurdish education must be provided from kindergarten to university, and the banned Kurdish names of villages and cities must be reinstated.”

Marking one year of the Peace and Democratic Society Process in Turkey, DEM Party Group Deputy Chair Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit emphasized that Abdullah Öcalan’s calls have been decisive:

“The developments that followed Mr. Öcalan's calls have also shown that he has broken the mold and paved a completely new path. It is our duty to expand this path. Given the developments in the Middle East, resolving the Kurdish question is the only way for Turkey to remain standing. There is a perception that the PKK is the cause of the Kurdish question. We are talking about a century-old issue. The Kurdish question exists because the Kurds, a founding element of this state, have been denied. Therefore, the problem cannot be solved simply by the PKK disbanding and laying down its arms. The Kurdish question will be resolved if Turkey becomes democratic. If the problems of the Kurds, Alevis, and women are resolved, the Kurdish question will be resolved."

Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit stated that, “Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş must do his part to ensure that the commission meets with Mr. Öcalan.”

She continued, “Transitional laws also need to be enacted. Legal regulations need to be put in place for those who have been imprisoned and forced to leave the country due to the conflict. Changes need to be made to the laws on the enforcement of sentences. Laws such as the Anti-Terrorism Law (TMK) and the Criminal Procedure Code (CMK) need to be amended.”

Remarking that the process developed thanks to the Kurdish people's struggle, Koçyiğit described the operations targeting the CHP as “sabotage of the peace process.”

Drawing attention to the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers' latest decision on the “right to hope,” Koçyiğit added, “Today, it is our duty to fight everywhere for the right to hope, and for Mr. Öcalan's physical freedom.”