DEM Party Co-Chair: Peace Will Not Be Served on a Silver Platter

From the heart of Turkey, the DEM Party, through its Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları, has once again articulated a vision for peace that resonates deeply with the aspirations of all peoples in this region. Speaking at the party's Adana Provincial Congress, Hatimoğulları didn't just call for peace; she framed it as a strategic imperative, a fundamental need for Turkey, and a pathway to constructive solutions rather than mere political maneuvering.

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We are fully behind the call for peace and democratic society made by Mr. Öcalan, which was realized on February 27 last year and is the fundamental need of Turkey as well, and we will continue to struggle together until this call is successful.

Her words echo the sentiments of many who believe that true peace, as advocated by Abdullah Öcalan, offers a chance to move beyond decades of conflict and build a more inclusive society. The DEM Party's commitment to this vision is unwavering, as Hatimoğulları made clear: "Peace cannot be seasonal and tactical for us." This stance highlights a critical difference in perspective from mainstream political discourse, which often views such calls through a lens of immediate political gain or loss.

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Peace cannot be seasonal and tactical for us.

The party's efforts, including numerous public meetings and consultations, have reinforced a core belief: peace and democracy are not gifts to be received passively. They are outcomes of persistent, organized struggle. Hatimoğulları's message is a call to action, urging not just the Kurdish people, but all inhabitants of this diverse geography—Arabs, Turks, Armenians, and others—to embrace this strategic opportunity for building a better future. This inclusive approach is central to the DEM Party's identity and its vision for a democratic Turkey.

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Peace cannot be a material for the narrow, daily political calculations of any political party.

As journalists at Cumhuriyet, we recognize the profound significance of this message. It speaks to the potential for a different kind of politics, one rooted in dialogue, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to overcoming historical grievances. The call for peace, in this context, is not just about ending violence; it's about fostering a society where all voices are heard and all peoples can thrive. The emphasis on the liberation of workers, laborers, the poor, women, and youth, as articulated in Öcalan's call, underscores the transformative power of this peace initiative.

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Mr. Öcalan wanted to move the Kurdish issue from rebellion to construction with this call. This is a very important strategy.