Bahçeli Signals New Phase in Kurdish Peace Process, Cites Öcalan’s Call and Demirtaş’s Return

Peregraf – Turkish Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli made notable statements on the Kurdish issue, Abdullah Öcalan, and the peace process during his party’s parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday, signaling what he described as a “historic stage” following recent regional developments. 

Bahçeli referred to the “Call for Peace and a Democratic Society” issued by Abdullah Öcalan on February 27, 2025, stating that the call has now produced “tangible results,” particularly in Syria. He claimed that the message had become binding across all components linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), adding that its objectives had been fulfilled through the dissolution of armed structures and the laying down of weapons.

According to Bahçeli, the agreement reached between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) at the end of January represents a continuation of Öcalan’s peace initiative, marking what he described as a decisive step toward ending armed conflict and integrating Kurdish forces into state structures.

“The founding leadership of the PKK has stood behind its commitments since February 27, 2025,” Bahçeli said. “This responsibility now requires mutual respect and patience in the new phase.”

Emphasis on Kurdish–Turkish Brotherhood

In remarks framed as a message to both Turkey and the wider region, Bahçeli said a new opportunity had emerged for Kurds, Arabs, Turkmens, and other peoples to live together in unity. He warned against provocations that could undermine what he called the “eternal Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood.”

“The Turk is ours, the Kurd is ours. We are all part of the same nation,” Bahçeli stated, adding that attempts to sow division between Kurds and Turks would ultimately fail.

Reference to Öcalan and Demirtaş

In a statement drawing wide attention, Bahçeli explicitly linked long-term domestic peace to political and symbolic milestones, saying:

“Our decision is clear until Anatolia finds peace, Öcalan finds hope, the ‘Ahmeds’ reach their posts, and Demirtaş returns to his home.”

With these remarks, Bahçeli was referring to the legal "right to hope" discussions regarding PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, the reinstatement of Ahmet Türk and Ahmet Özer—who were replaced by state-appointed trustees—and the release of former HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş, who remains imprisoned despite several judicial rulings.

The "Right to Hope" (umut hakkı) is a legal principle stating that any prisoner, no matter how serious their crime, must have a realistic prospect of eventually being released and the right to have their sentence reviewed.

While Bahçeli did not outline concrete legal steps, his remarks marked one of the rare occasions in which a senior Turkish nationalist figure publicly connected Öcalan, Demirtaş, and peace within the same framework, suggesting a potential reconfiguration of the Kurdish issue in both Turkey and the region.