content tagged with Kurdish peace process

SDF commander says wants to visit Öcalan to support Turkey's peace process

SDF commander says wants to visit Öcalan to support Turkey's peace process

As Turkey's peace process with the PKK continues, parallel integration talks are underway between Syrian Kurds and Damascus. Mazloum Abdi says they can help bring peace to Turkey.

25 November 2025

Parliament committee votes to meet imprisoned PKK leader in major step for peace process

Parliament committee votes to meet imprisoned PKK leader in major step for peace process

The delegation to visit Öcalan will comprise MPs from the ruling bloc and the pro-Kurdish DEM Party.

21 November 2025

Tuğçe Yılmaz

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi 'may visit Turkey soon,' says MP

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi 'may visit Turkey soon,' says MP

Cengiz Çandar, a senior figure in the pro-Kurdish DEM Party who attended a regional forum in Iraq’s Kurdistan region alongside Syrian Kurdish leaders, elaborated on the peace process in Turkey and efforts to integrate the Kurdish-led autonomous administration with the Damascus government.

20 November 2025 Tuğçe Yılmaz

PKK further withdraws forces from frontlines in Kurdistan region

PKK further withdraws forces from frontlines in Kurdistan region

The move follows the group's announcement in late October that it had withdrawn all remaining units from within Turkey’s borders as part of the ongoing peace process.

17 November 2025

Turkey may finally release Kurdish leader Demirtaş after nine years in prison

Turkey may finally release Kurdish leader Demirtaş after nine years in prison

The European court, whose previous rulings on the case had not been implemented by Ankara, has once again ordered Demirtaş's release. This time, however, President Erdoğan said, "We'll comply with whatever the judiciary says."

5 November 2025

PKK announces withdrawal from Turkey, marking ‘next phase’ in peace process

PKK announces withdrawal from Turkey, marking ‘next phase’ in peace process

The pro-Kurdish DEM Party has called on the government and parliament to swiftly implement the legal measures expected as part of the peace process.

27 October 2025

Parliament's peace committee may hold direct talks with PKK leader, says speaker

Parliament's peace committee may hold direct talks with PKK leader, says speaker

As Turkey prepares to establish a legal framework for the Kurdish peace process, PKK leader Öcalan has emphasized the importance of implementing the "right to hope."

17 October 2025

Pro-Kurdish DEM Party Spokesperson: Integration a mutual process of change and transformation

Pro-Kurdish DEM Party Spokesperson: Integration a mutual process of change and transformation

DEM Party Spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan said, “The process is at a critical stage. No concrete steps are being taken regarding the requirements for transitioning to a new period.”

10 October 2025

Parliament committee should meet PKK-leader Öcalan, repeat disarmament call, says nationalist leader

Parliament committee should meet PKK-leader Öcalan, repeat disarmament call, says nationalist leader

Criticizing the Republican People’s Party (CHP) for not attending the opening session of the new legislative year, nationalist leader Devlet Bahçeli said that CHP is “disrespecting the will of the nation.”

Tensions rise at parliament’s ‘peace’ committee as pro-Kurdish MPs walk out

Tensions rise at parliament’s ‘peace’ committee as pro-Kurdish MPs walk out

“This is a peace table, not a place for reigniting past traumas or indulging in a kind of murder pornography,” said DEM Party's Danış-Beştaş after a Kurdish-Islamist invitee’s speech that prompted a backlash from DEM members.

18 September 2025 Nalin Öztekin

Ayşegül Başar

Council of Europe urges Turkey to ensure ‘right to hope’ for life-sentenced prisoners

Council of Europe urges Turkey to ensure ‘right to hope’ for life-sentenced prisoners

In an interim resolution, the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers called on Turkey to implement the ECtHR's rulings swiftly and effectively.

18 September 2025 Ayşegül Başar

PKK leader defies Turkey’s demand, urges Syrian Arabs to back Kurdish forces

PKK leader defies Turkey’s demand, urges Syrian Arabs to back Kurdish forces

MHP leader Bahçeli had urged Öcalan to call on Syrian Kurds to disarm, as he had done with the PKK. The imprisoned militant leader did the exact opposite.

15 September 2025

Bahçeli says political parties must take ‘as much responsibility as PKK’ in peace efforts

Bahçeli says political parties must take ‘as much responsibility as PKK’ in peace efforts

President Erdoğan’s key ally, who recently hinted at a military operation in the Kurdish-controlled autonomous zone in Syria, struck a softer tone and called for the reinstatement of two Kurdish mayors.

12 September 2025

Parliament committee discusses redefinition of Turkish citizenship, ‘right to hope’ for Öcalan

Parliament committee discusses redefinition of Turkish citizenship, ‘right to hope’ for Öcalan

Two former speakers emphasized the need for an amendment to the constitutional provision that defines Turkish citizenship.

The ashes of villages, the professor's words: birth and ashes

The ashes of villages, the professor's words: birth and ashes

There is talk of a new resolution process. Peace? Perhaps. But Leyla knows: If the fires of the past are not confronted, this peace too could be reduced to ashes by a new spark.

27 August 2025 Cihan Ekinci

Ayşegül Başar

‘Peace Mothers’ barred from speaking Kurdish at parliament committee

‘Peace Mothers’ barred from speaking Kurdish at parliament committee

Kurdish Studies Association Co-Chair Remziye Alparslan and Kurdish linguist Zana Farqînî criticize the ban on speaking Kurdish at the committee formed for the peace process, stressing that issues related to the mother tongue lie at the core of the Kurdish question.

21 August 2025 Ayşegül Başar

Postmodern peace

Postmodern peace

The intentions of the subjects are unclear; the process is not transparent; and regional developments are quite uncertain and complex, as is the peace process in Turkey. When all these factors are taken together, we are left with a picture of “postmodern peace” whose direction, principles, and boundaries are unclear.

28 July 2025 Çetin Gürer

PKK leader Öcalan's fellow inmate Veysi Aktaş released after 31 years in prison

PKK leader Öcalan's fellow inmate Veysi Aktaş released after 31 years in prison

Upon his release, Aktaş conveyed Öcalan's message: “Serok said, ‘We will turn İmralı Island into an island of peace'."

Turkey announces key parliamentary committee for new Kurdish peace effort

Turkey announces key parliamentary committee for new Kurdish peace effort

The committee is expected to play a pivotal role in the peace process.

Turkey’s intelligence chief visits political parties ahead of special 'peace' committee

Turkey’s intelligence chief visits political parties ahead of special 'peace' committee

A special parliamentary committee is expected to be formed in the coming days to work on the legal steps to be taken as part of the Kurdish peace process.

Ercan Jan Aktaş

Democratic nation: an antidote to the poison of the nation-state

Democratic nation: an antidote to the poison of the nation-state

According to Öcalan, the democratic nation first and foremost acknowledges ethnic, religious, cultural, and gender pluralism. He does not equate the nation with the state; instead, he sees the nation as a form of social organization and solidarity.

21 July 2025 Ercan Jan Aktaş

Ayşegül Başar

DEM official outlines expectations for legislative steps after PKK lays down arms

DEM official outlines expectations for legislative steps after PKK lays down arms

Öztürk Türkdoğan, DEM Party's deputy co-chair, spoke to bianet about the legal steps that must be taken in the peace process, from the possible release of imprisoned politicians to the judicial treatment of those laying down arms.

18 July 2025 Ayşegül Başar

Ayşegül Başar

'Diyarbakır Mothers’ express support for peace process

'Diyarbakır Mothers’ express support for peace process

“As Diyarbakır Mothers, we fully support this process and are pleased with the steps taken,” says a member of the group.

18 July 2025 Ayşegül Başar

Ayşegül Başar

'All mothers’ tears are the same color': Peace Mothers reflect on PKK weapon-burning ceremony

'All mothers’ tears are the same color': Peace Mothers reflect on PKK weapon-burning ceremony

“The state still considers them terrorists. They are Kurdish children. The state must act immediately and extend its hand for peace. Let no Kurdish or Turkish mothers cry," says one of the mothers.

16 July 2025 Ayşegül Başar

Ayşegül Başar

PKK’s ‘farewell to arms’: What is ending, and what is beginning?

PKK’s ‘farewell to arms’: What is ending, and what is beginning?

Perhaps we witnessed the most concrete and tangible steps ever taken toward peace; top-down and bottom-up. Despite its weight, making peace, is possible, as we "witnessed."

14 July 2025 Ayşegül Başar

Notes from the historic day: mountain, fire, hope!

OBSERVATIONS FROM SULAYMANIYAH

Notes from the historic day: mountain, fire, hope!

We wait. Our faces are turned toward the mountain. They will come down through a crack, sit at the table, and make a statement. Everyone is very excited.

12 July 2025 Özgür Amed

Ayşegül Başar

'We witnessed a historical moment'

ATTENDEES OF PKK CEREMONY

'We witnessed a historical moment'

Three of the limited number of attendees spoke to bianet, sharing their reflections on the PKK’s disarmament ceremony.

11 July 2025 Ayşegül Başar

Barzani welcomes PKK disarmament

Barzani welcomes PKK disarmament

The KRG president extended his thanks to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as well as his nationalist ally Devlet Bahçeli and PKK ledaer Öcalan.

In photos: PKK's historic disarmament ceremony

In photos: PKK's historic disarmament ceremony

A group of 30 PKK members, including senior executives, attended a symbolic ceremony.

Bahçeli hails PKK disarming: 'a new and hopeful era'

Bahçeli hails PKK disarming: 'a new and hopeful era'

Bahçeli also commended the DEM Party for maintaining what he described as a responsible political stance.

Ayşegül Başar

Initial takeaways from PKK's disarmament ceremony

Initial takeaways from PKK's disarmament ceremony

The PKK stated that it would continue its struggle through legal means under the name “Group for Peace and Democratic Society” and called on the state to introduce legal regulations in line with the peace process.

11 July 2025 Ayşegül Başar

Video: PKK burns weapons in ceremony marking end of armed struggle

Video: PKK burns weapons in ceremony marking end of armed struggle

The group, which declared its dissolution after a May congress as part of a peace process, has taken the first step with a symbolic ceremony.

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