Ankara – Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli called for activating the “Right to Hope” and releasing Abdullah Öcalan, leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), stressing the need to respond to the steps taken by Öcalan within what he described as the process of peace and a democratic society.
Meanwhile, the Co-Chair of the Equality and Democracy Party of Peoples (DEM Partî), Tuncer Bakırhan, stated that Öcalan’s efforts prevented the outbreak of a war between Kurds and Arabs in Syria, according to Hawar News Agency.
Speaking during his party’s parliamentary group meeting, Bahçeli said that the time had come to implement the “Right to Hope” and respond to Öcalan’s initiatives, emphasizing the necessity of taking concrete decisions. He stated:
“Our decision is clear; so that Anatolia may enjoy stability, Öcalan may reach hope, both Ahmads (Ahmet Türk and Ahmet Özer) may return to their positions, and Demirtaş may return to his home.”
Bahçeli asked: “Did the founder of the PKK adhere to all the promises he made since 27 February 2025?” He answered: “Yes, he did.” He continued: “Was the organization dissolved and the weapons burned? And was this carried out by all components of the PKK?” He replied: “Yes, all of this has been achieved.”
He called for steps that would correspond to Öcalan’s decisions, concluding that his party would continue its struggle until human rights and freedoms are fully implemented.
For his part, DEM Partî Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan said during his party’s parliamentary group meeting that the Syrian file topped the agenda, stressing that the absence of war between Kurds and Arabs in Syria is due to Abdullah Öcalan’s efforts.
Bakırhan stated:
“Questions such as what do the Kurds want are being repeated again. The Kurdish objection is against denial policies that have continued for 100 years. Since 1923, the Kurdish people have been defined as an extra-legal element and left outside. In 1937, states that had conflicts among themselves united against the Kurds through the Saadabad Pact, and in 1955 through the Baghdad Pact.”
Referring to the agreement held in Paris on 10 January 2026, Bakırhan described it as “the last link in this historical mistake,” adding:
“Yet despite all forms of denial, the national consciousness of the Kurdish people has always grown. The Kurds said ‘no’ to this cycle that seeks to repeat itself and rose up. The Kurdish people sacrifice their lives in the squares, yet their existence is ignored at the negotiation table. The Kurdish uprising was an objection to this situation. Kurds do not want to be victims of conspiracies in the countries they live in; they want to be equal citizens.”
Regarding Syria, Bakırhan emphasized Öcalan’s pivotal role in preventing the deepening of conflict, saying:
“If there is no war between Kurds and Arabs today, it is thanks to Mr. Öcalan. And if the rights of the Kurdish people are accepted today, it is thanks to Öcalan’s efforts. We thank Öcalan for the stance he took and the effort he made. What falls upon us today is to adopt the solution perspective put forward by Mr. Öcalan.”
Bakırhan also called on the Turkish government to stop intervening in Syria and to move beyond security pretexts, stating:
“Security concerns related to Syria must be set aside. Concrete and credible steps must be taken; there are no longer any justifications for any side. Steps must be taken to grant Kurds their rights and strengthen democracy. Mr. Bahçeli spoke here a short while ago and referred to the ‘Right to Hope’ and the appointment of trustees to municipalities. We also want Turkey to rid itself of this disgrace. The authorities must now take steps in this direction and implement what Bahçeli spoke about. This process must be developed with the will of parliament and through courageous steps; recognition of identity, language and culture, and strengthening local democracy is the only way for the people to feel secure.”
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