Discussions continue regarding the details of the meeting held on 24 May between Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party İmralı Delegation members Pervin Buldan, Mithat Sancar and Faik Özgür Erol and Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan.

 

Following the meeting, which took place at a time when claims of a “deadlock” in the process had resurfaced, questions have been raised regarding the current stage of the Peace and Democratic Society Process, the legal and political framework of a possible roadmap, and the fate of expected parliamentary regulations.

 

We spoke with DEM Party İmralı Delegation member Mithat Sancar about both the current stage of the process and the issues discussed during the latest meeting.

 

ABDULLAH ÖCALAN’S ROADMAP

 

Addressing the two-month gap without a meeting amid claims that the process had stalled, Sancar said that the process is complex and difficult, and that various factors can affect its course. He noted that such pauses may occur in relation to actions that need to be taken in subsequent stages and added that it can now be said that the deadlock has been overcome.

 

Sancar stated that Abdullah Öcalan has been making efforts to develop formulas to overcome problems within the process and that he shared the preparations he had made during the latest meeting.

 

THE CHARACTER OF THE LAW

 

Sancar said that Abdullah Öcalan’s roadmap consists of three main points and continued: “The first is the character of the law. The second is the institutionalization of the process. The third is the definition of his own role and position within the process. The first point, the character of the law. The most important phrase he used on this issue was: ‘It should be a stem-cell-like law.’ We can, of course, discuss whether this has been sufficiently understood. By stem cell, two fundamental points are meant: repair and renewal. It should possess a quality that enables the repair of the damages caused by the conflict process and the reasons that gave rise to the conflict, and that opens the way for such repair. What is meant is a framework law, a transitional process law. It is for a transitional period, and this transition has various requirements. First and foremost, there are issues related to disarmament and integration. However, while regulating this transition process, the law must first take into account the damages resulting from the conflict and aim to repair them. At the heart of this repair lies the dialectic of the transition from violence to politics. This can be considered together with the concept of ‘peace’ in the title of the 27 February Call. The second aspect intended by the stem-cell analogy is renewal, the renewal of the body itself. The law should therefore open the way for this renewal as well. We can evaluate this mainly in conjunction with the concept of ‘democratic society’ in the 27 February Call.”

 

INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF THE PROCESS

 

Regarding the second point, the institutionalization of the process, Sancar said: “The process should acquire an institutional character based on law. Its institutionalization must occur through the path opened by a legal framework and the support provided by a framework law. What is meant by institutionalization is that the process should proceed through mechanisms and within a framework of clearly defined goals, duties and responsibilities. At present, various meetings are taking place. We visit İmralı, meet with state officials and other political parties. Mr. Öcalan also holds meetings with state officials. DEM Party has its own activities. All of these are undoubtedly part of the process and contribute to its continuation. However, it is now necessary to ensure that the process functions within an institutional framework. This would create a durable, reliable and confidence-building course. Various boards and mechanisms may come onto the agenda.”

 

DEFINING THE ROLES

 

Speaking about the third point mentioned by Abdullah Öcalan, namely the recognition of his own role and that of other actors, Sancar said: “The third point of the package of proposals presented by Mr. Öcalan is the definition and clarification of positions, roles and functions. There is undoubtedly a need to define and determine his role, position and function. The proposal that this be established on the basis of the framework law we have mentioned came directly from him. In other words, the legal regulation to be enacted should also include this dimension.”

 

AKP- IMRALI DELEGATION MEETING

 

Sancar stated that the meeting held between the İmralı Delegation and the AKP following their visit to Abdullah Öcalan had been planned in advance. He said that the issues discussed during their İmralı meeting had also been conveyed to the government and that views were exchanged regarding the legal process. He added that they had also met with opposition figures regarding the proposed legislation.

 

Responding to claims circulating in the public sphere that the AKP, MHP and DEM Party had reached an agreement on a draft text that was subsequently approved by Abdullah Öcalan, Sancar said: “To be clear, what we are currently doing is exchanging views and negotiating on preparations for a draft law. There is no concrete draft that has been presented to us. We do not have any text that has been submitted to us as a draft.”

 

Stating that Abdullah Öcalan had also emphasized the need for a framework law to be adopted before parliament goes into recess, Sancar said that all actors bear a historic responsibility.

 

He concluded: “Our goal, our desire and our effort is for this law to be adopted before parliament goes into recess with the broadest possible consensus. I have already outlined its characteristics: a framework that will move the process toward its objective, that corresponds to the logic of the process, and that genuinely opens the way to a solid and lasting peace through democracy and politics. Mr. Öcalan also points out that delays carry risks.”

 

MA / Selman Guzelyuz- Omer Gungor