Bakırhan: Kurds won’t trade away the rights of the oppressed — ‘Our aim is justice for all’
24/05/2025
Tuncer Bakırhan, co-chair of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, has pledged to expand political alliances and deepen the struggle for democracy, describing the current political moment as an opportunity to end decades of conflict and inequality in Turkey and the Middle East.
Speaking on Saturday at the Green Left Party’s (YSP) congress in Ankara, Bakırhan called for “a stronger joint struggle” to defend peace and democratic values, warning against rising militarism and deepening crises across the region. “We will broaden our alliances for peace. We will fight more powerfully for democracy,” he said.
The two-day congress, held under the slogan “Joint Struggle for Peace and Democracy”, brought together representatives from the DEM Party, civil society organisations and other political actors. A large banner featuring late politician and İmralı delegation member Sırrı Süreyya Önder, who died on 3 May, hung above the stage.
Bakırhan’s remarks placed Turkey’s current political landscape within a broader global context. He described a “historic new period” marked by the collapse of neoliberal models and a global turn toward war and conflict, particularly in the Middle East. “The weight of war is centred in the Middle East,” he said, adding that powerful actors see crisis and conflict as solutions to systemic problems.
Referring to jailed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan, Bakırhan said: “Mr Öcalan recently spoke of ‘democratic communal socialism’. We will renew ourselves with this vision.” While distancing himself from violent methods, Bakırhan emphasised the need to defend “honourable peace” and build a pluralistic, democratic society.
He also pointed to what he described as a meaningful shift within Turkey, arguing that a political opening has emerged for resolving the country’s long-running Kurdish conflict. “This is not just a process for the Kurds — it is a struggle for rights and democratic values for all 85 million people in Turkey,” he said.
Bakırhan strongly rejected accusations that Kurdish political movements pursue narrow or self-serving agendas. “Kurdish people never bargain away the rights of the oppressed for personal gain,” he said. “Our aim is a democratic, egalitarian and just order.”
Framing the current phase as a collective responsibility, Bakırhan concluded by calling for broader participation in the struggle for rights. “It is our duty to own this process. It is not a time for debate — it is a time to close ranks and grow the joint struggle,” he said.
Kurdish party urges end to political polarisation in Turkey peace process
The pro-Kurdish DEM Party has called on Turkey’s political establishment to adopt a unified, transformative approach to peace, warning that entrenched partisan logic threatens to undermine the potential for democratic resolution of the Kurdish issue.
Speaking at a party congress in Ankara, DEM Party co-chair Tuncer Bakırhan rejected claims that Kurdish movements are self-interested, affirming their commitment to a just order for all. He also vowed to expand alliances and intensify efforts for peace.
24/05/2025
Tuncer Bakırhan, co-chair of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, has pledged to expand political alliances and deepen the struggle for democracy, describing the current political moment as an opportunity to end decades of conflict and inequality in Turkey and the Middle East.
Speaking on Saturday at the Green Left Party’s (YSP) congress in Ankara, Bakırhan called for “a stronger joint struggle” to defend peace and democratic values, warning against rising militarism and deepening crises across the region. “We will broaden our alliances for peace. We will fight more powerfully for democracy,” he said.
The two-day congress, held under the slogan “Joint Struggle for Peace and Democracy”, brought together representatives from the DEM Party, civil society organisations and other political actors. A large banner featuring late politician and İmralı delegation member Sırrı Süreyya Önder, who died on 3 May, hung above the stage.
Bakırhan’s remarks placed Turkey’s current political landscape within a broader global context. He described a “historic new period” marked by the collapse of neoliberal models and a global turn toward war and conflict, particularly in the Middle East. “The weight of war is centred in the Middle East,” he said, adding that powerful actors see crisis and conflict as solutions to systemic problems.
Referring to jailed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan, Bakırhan said: “Mr Öcalan recently spoke of ‘democratic communal socialism’. We will renew ourselves with this vision.” While distancing himself from violent methods, Bakırhan emphasised the need to defend “honourable peace” and build a pluralistic, democratic society.
He also pointed to what he described as a meaningful shift within Turkey, arguing that a political opening has emerged for resolving the country’s long-running Kurdish conflict. “This is not just a process for the Kurds — it is a struggle for rights and democratic values for all 85 million people in Turkey,” he said.
Bakırhan strongly rejected accusations that Kurdish political movements pursue narrow or self-serving agendas. “Kurdish people never bargain away the rights of the oppressed for personal gain,” he said. “Our aim is a democratic, egalitarian and just order.”
Framing the current phase as a collective responsibility, Bakırhan concluded by calling for broader participation in the struggle for rights. “It is our duty to own this process. It is not a time for debate — it is a time to close ranks and grow the joint struggle,” he said.
Kurdish party urges end to political polarisation in Turkey peace process
The pro-Kurdish DEM Party has called on Turkey’s political establishment to adopt a unified, transformative approach to peace, warning that entrenched partisan logic threatens to undermine the potential for democratic resolution of the Kurdish issue.
24/05/2025
The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party has called on both the government and opposition in Turkey to “break their shells” and move beyond entrenched partisan calculations in favour of a unified approach to peace and democratic reform.
A written statement issued by the party’s Central Executive Committee on Thursday 22 May described the current political juncture as a “historic crossroads” for peace in Turkey. Speaking the following day, DEM Party spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan warned that peace cannot be achieved through short-term political manoeuvring.
“We need a holistic approach, not one that weighs whether a statement benefits DEM, the ruling AKP, the opposition CHP or any other party,” Doğan said.
Her comments come amid renewed momentum for resolving the decades-long Kurdish conflict, following a peace appeal issued on 27 February by Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and the PKK’s 12th congress decision to formally end its organisational activities. The DEM Party considers these developments a historic opportunity to relaunch dialogue between the state and the Kurdish movement.
Doğan emphasised that the burden of change lies not only with the DEM Party. “Anyone who demands transformation must begin with themselves,” she said, inviting all political actors and citizens to take part in reshaping Turkey’s democratic future. “This moment requires a new language, a new method, and a new political style.”
The DEM Party, rooted in the broader Kurdish political movement, has long advocated a peaceful and democratic solution to the Kurdish issue, including an end to the Turkish state’s “trustee policy” of removing elected Kurdish mayors and replacing them with state-appointed officials.
The party’s 22 May report stressed both the potential and the risks of the current moment. While praising Öcalan’s call for a “new phase”, it warned that without active engagement from all sides, the opportunity could be lost. “This process will either lead to a democratic transformation or be buried under continued conflict and repression,” the report said.
Highlighting regional instability, the DEM Party also pointed to the war in Gaza and broader tensions across the Middle East as adding urgency to resolving Turkey’s internal problems. It underlined that lasting peace must involve the active participation of women, youth, and workers, calling them the “most dynamic forces” of any democratic society.
The party dedicated its 22 May meeting to the memory of its late deputy speaker Sırrı Süreyya Önder, a leading figure in past peace talks who died earlier this month. It pledged to continue the legacy of dialogue and resistance he embodied.
“The responsibility for peace rests with us all,” Doğan said. “This is the time to reshape the future – not through competition, but through collective courage.”
The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party has called on both the government and opposition in Turkey to “break their shells” and move beyond entrenched partisan calculations in favour of a unified approach to peace and democratic reform.
A written statement issued by the party’s Central Executive Committee on Thursday 22 May described the current political juncture as a “historic crossroads” for peace in Turkey. Speaking the following day, DEM Party spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan warned that peace cannot be achieved through short-term political manoeuvring.
“We need a holistic approach, not one that weighs whether a statement benefits DEM, the ruling AKP, the opposition CHP or any other party,” Doğan said.
Her comments come amid renewed momentum for resolving the decades-long Kurdish conflict, following a peace appeal issued on 27 February by Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and the PKK’s 12th congress decision to formally end its organisational activities. The DEM Party considers these developments a historic opportunity to relaunch dialogue between the state and the Kurdish movement.
Doğan emphasised that the burden of change lies not only with the DEM Party. “Anyone who demands transformation must begin with themselves,” she said, inviting all political actors and citizens to take part in reshaping Turkey’s democratic future. “This moment requires a new language, a new method, and a new political style.”
The DEM Party, rooted in the broader Kurdish political movement, has long advocated a peaceful and democratic solution to the Kurdish issue, including an end to the Turkish state’s “trustee policy” of removing elected Kurdish mayors and replacing them with state-appointed officials.
The party’s 22 May report stressed both the potential and the risks of the current moment. While praising Öcalan’s call for a “new phase”, it warned that without active engagement from all sides, the opportunity could be lost. “This process will either lead to a democratic transformation or be buried under continued conflict and repression,” the report said.
Highlighting regional instability, the DEM Party also pointed to the war in Gaza and broader tensions across the Middle East as adding urgency to resolving Turkey’s internal problems. It underlined that lasting peace must involve the active participation of women, youth, and workers, calling them the “most dynamic forces” of any democratic society.
The party dedicated its 22 May meeting to the memory of its late deputy speaker Sırrı Süreyya Önder, a leading figure in past peace talks who died earlier this month. It pledged to continue the legacy of dialogue and resistance he embodied.
“The responsibility for peace rests with us all,” Doğan said. “This is the time to reshape the future – not through competition, but through collective courage.”
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