The Diyarbakır Bar Association organized a meeting at a hotel in the Sur district under the slogan “Solution and dialogue: A new beginning for building peace.” The meeting was attended by Tuncer Bakırhan, Co-Chair of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party); Keskin Bayındır, Co-Chair of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP); Meral Danış Beştaş, Spokesperson for the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK); MPs; and representatives of political parties and civil society organizations.

Speaking at the meeting, Abdulkadir Güleç, President of the Diyarbakır Bar Association, commented on the work of the “National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission” established in Parliament to address the Kurdish question.

'The process has failed to meet the expectations of society'

Güleç stated that it was important that the commission listens to people from different segments of society and creates a memory. He stressed that listening is important but not sufficient on its own for steps towards a solution, saying, “While seeds of hope for peace are being sown on one hand, the concerns of the Kurdish community have not been addressed on the other. This process has failed to meet the expectations of society. Concrete steps that should have been taken have not been taken.”

Güleç stated that legal changes are needed in many areas, such as the release of sick prisoners and the participation of organization members in social life, calling for legal regulations to be implemented immediately on these issues.

Güleç recalled the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruling on the “right to hope” in the case of Abdullah Öcalan, and the case of Selahattin Demirtaş, former Co-Chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).

'All segments of society must be included'

“If we are going to talk about a new process, if we are going to establish peace in this land, the Öcalan-Turkey decision must be implemented. The implementation of the right to hope for Mr. Öcalan and other prisoners serving aggravated life sentences is also important for the success of this process. All segments of society must be included, and everyone must take responsibility and work towards a lasting solution to the Kurdish question,” he stated.

Güleç emphasized that preventing members of the Peace Mothers Assembly from speaking Kurdish in the commission session and imposing a fine on Amedspor for taking the field with a Kurdish advertisement would cause disappointment and create despair regarding the process. "It is both necessary and imperative to draft a democratic, free constitution based on a social contract that everyone can identify with, encompassing all 86 million citizens. From the Kurds' right to education in their mother tongue to preventing them from encountering various obstacles in the public sphere, legal regulations must be put in place."

'We will do our utmost to ensure that this process continues'

DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan stated that they would prove to everyone how determined and sincere they were in bringing the process to a successful conclusion. He said: "We have made every effort to shift this process from a security-based ground to a dialogue-based ground. Significant things have happened over the past year. The de-escalation is of great importance. The fact that the dialogue process has continued for a year is also very valuable, as well as the establishment of a commission in Parliament to discuss the Kurdish question. However, looking back at the past year, we could have actually reached a more important point and worked together to take steps that would ease tensions in the region. The government could have been bolder on issues of justice, law, and local democracy. Despite all the provocations and opposition, the fact that the process has continued for a year is very valuable and historic. Some people are eager to disrupt this process. But they shouldn't get too excited. Mr. Öcalan and our party will not encourage anyone in this regard, as we will do our utmost to ensure that this process continues. We are determined to continue our efforts to bring this process to fruition with peace and a democratic society.”

'Parliament must now put laws for peace on its agenda'

Bakırhan said that the parliamentary commission had sufficiently listened to the dynamics of society and that it was now imperative to turn the page. He continued: "If we list the demands put forward by academics, bar associations, civil society organizations, and those who have directly experienced this issue and suffered its consequences, and if we can implement only what has been said in Parliament, the problem will be largely solved. Those who have experienced the problem have put forward solutions. We expect the commission to evaluate these issues. Parliament must now put laws for peace on its agenda.

'Democratic integration is a common life agreement based on the law'

With the opening, the Parliament should immediately discuss transition laws, fundamental laws such as the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) and the Turkish Civil Code (TMK), the strengthening of local administrations, and enforcement laws, passing them quickly. These are the fundamental expectations of society. Laws must also be enacted to implement democratic integration. Democratic integration means that everyone, especially Kurds, can live as equal citizens within the law. It is also the formula for coexistence. It is a common life agreement based on the law. The way to ensure peace and democracy is to implement holistic law. There is no pain we have not experienced in this country. The entire country has suffered from the negative consequences of Kurds being pushed outside the law. We want them to live in a democratic republic so that they do not experience these negative consequences in the second century. The solution is possible by establishing a law that recognizes the Kurds."

'Making Syria a condition will undermine the process'

Drawing attention to developments in Syria, Bakırhan said, "Right next to us, Syria, in particular, has entered into a search for a solution after the conflict. A process is also underway in Turkey. The issue in Syria should not be used as a barrier to the resolution process discussed in Turkey. The issue in Syria is tied to the dynamics in Syria. If we can make this process successful, it could serve as a model for Syria. Making Syria a condition will undermine this process."

'Öcalan's freedom must now be secured'

Emphasizing that Abdullah Öcalan's conditions must also be improved, Bakırhan continued: "The most important actor in this process is being held on Imrali. He is pursuing a very important peace process. Mr. Öcalan, who has been imprisoned for 26 years and cut off from society, has made valuable efforts in the field of peace diplomacy. This is being voiced by the government and all factions in Turkey. Mr. Öcalan's freedom must now be secured. I believe that if Mr. Öcalan's conditions are improved in a way to enable him to work freely, he will adopt a more inclusive approach to resolving the issue. The necessary steps must now be taken for the right to hope that Mr. Bahçeli spoke of.

'We can establish peace through democratic steps'

There is no need to turn a deaf ear. This process is based on democracy and peace. We do not choose between the two. They are inseparable; they cannot be considered separately. There can be no democracy without peace, nor can there be lasting peace without democracy. We can establish peace through democratic steps. Certain steps can be taken that, while causing tension in society, can also soften the political climate if positive measures are implemented. From this perspective, Mr. İmamoğlu should be tried without detention, and our friends in prison should be released.

'The Kurdish issue is a matter of law'

Prisoners of conscience should be released immediately. The Kurdish issue is a matter of law. We must all take responsibility to move forward on a legal basis. We must all support the law that recognizes the Kurds. Because we have not collectively implemented the law that recognizes the Kurds, trustees are being appointed not only to municipalities in Kurdish provinces but also to municipalities in the west. Therefore, we must first collectively defend the law that recognizes the Kurds so that we can open the door to a democratic republic. In that democratic republic, we will live together as equal citizens, free from trustees and oppression.”