Journalist Aykol enters fourth stage of treatment
After developing a lung infection following multiple surgeries, journalist Hüseyin Aykol has begun treatment with a fourth set of different antibiotics.
Parliament Speaker to meet party coordinators ahead of commmission session
Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş will meet with coordinators of the political parties represented on the parliamentary commission established to address the democratic resolution of the Kurdish issue.
Reacted to ID check, beaten and handcuffed
Hikmet Çapraz claimed that he was forcibly handcuffed and beaten by five soldiers at a gendarmerie checkpoint in Elbak, shortly after having undergone an ID check just 10 minutes earlier.
Erdoğan: A new crossroad reached in the process, all parties should be heard
President and AKP Chair Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the process has reached a new “crossroad,” emphasizing, “We highly value listening to all parties, even if dissenting or different opinions are expressed.”
Rally preparations in Cologne: Chief negotiator must be free
Politician Ziya Pir, involved in preparations for the rally scheduled for November 8 in Cologne, Germany, emphasized, “Mr. Abdullah Öcalan is the chief negotiator. He needs to be free to manage the negotiations more effectively.”
IHD’s Yılmaz: Integration laws must meet actual needs
Ercan Yılmaz, President of the Amed (Diyarbakır) branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD), emphasized that the Parliament must play a leading role in resolving the Kurdish issue, adding, “Integration laws to be prepared must also meet the actual needs.”
His body has been ‘missing’ for five years
The body of Kemal Selimî, who was reportedly killed in a drone strike five years ago in Şirnex (Şırnak), has still not been handed over to his family, with authorities claiming that it “does not exist.”
They became the voice of the ‘mountains’, now they aim to lead a democratic society
Delîl Demhat, a member of Awazê Çiya, the group that brought the life of the “mountain” to society through its melodies, said: “Individualism causes loss; we must base art on communality.” Demhat also stated that they wish to hold a major celebration with the participation of Abdullah Öcalan, adding, “Those days are not far away.”
4 November protest: Neither kayyıms nor political coups will prevail over the people
The appointment of trustees to DEM Party municipalities and political operations were protested in many cities, with protesters chanting, “Neither kayyıms (trustees) nor political coups will prevail over the people.”
The commission must hear Mr Öcalan immediately says Tuncer Bakırhan
Responding to journalists' questions, Tuncer Bakırhan said: “The commission must go to Imrali Island as soon as possible and meet directly with the relevant person. It must hear Mr Öcalan immediately.”
Citizens of Dersim: The commission should meet with Abdullah Öcalan
Citizens of Dersim, stating that the commission must meet with Abdullah Öcalan as soon as possible for the process to proceed smoothly, called on the state to take concrete steps.
Public resources are flowing to warlords say Pensioners
Huseyin Kurt, President of the Mersin Branch of the Tüm Emekli-Sen, stated that the government needs military control to maintain its neoliberal policies in Turkey, saying, ‘The country's resources are being transferred to warlords.’
Abdullah Öcalan calls for a “positive phase”
In the meeting with the DEM Party Delegation Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan stated, “In order to move to a positive phase, it is vital that everyone acts with sensitivity, seriousness and a sense of responsibility during this process.”
DEM Party Delegation return from Imrali
The DEM Party Imrali Delegation returned from Imrali Island after meeting with Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan.
Journalist Aykol cannot be awakened due to infection
Journalist Huseyin Aykol cannot be awakened because his ventilator support has not been terminated after an infection developed in his lungs could not be stopped following multiple surgeries.
Weapons will be silenced, brotherhood will prevail says Parliament Speaker
Speaking about the peace process, Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus said: “We will finalise the project, which we have turned into public support, as soon as possible. Weapons will be silenced; brotherhood and solidarity will prevail.”
Constitutional Court: Yanardag’s arrest violated his rights
The Constitutional Court (AYM) has ruled that the arrest of journalist Merdan Yanardag over his remarks about Abdullah Ocalan violated his right to liberty and security.
Mass visit to condolence despite police obstruction
Despite police intervention, a large crowd managed to break through the police blockade and attend the condolence ceremony for Free Women's Units (Yekîneyên Jinên Azad ên Star – YJA Star) member Berivan Katar.
Indictment against the specialist sergeant who broke 10 year old E.T.’s arm
An indictment has been prepared against a specialist sergeant accused of assaulting a 10 year old child named E.T. and breaking his arm, on charges of “intentional injury”.
Prisoner denied hospital transfer for a year
Prisoners held in Şırnak T-Type Closed Prison are reportedly being denied hospital transfers for rejecting an arbitrary “slipper requirement” imposed by prison authorities and gendarmerie officers.
DEM Party delegation visits Imralı
The DEM Party delegation has traveled to İmralı Island to meet with Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan.
12 persons sentenced to 159 years in prison: Istanbul Courhouse resists the peace process
12 of 13 people tried between 2013 and 2015 were sentenced to a total of 159 years in prison on charges of “terrorist organization membership” and “financing terrorist organization.” Lawyer Sinan Zincir described the verdict as proof that “the Istanbul Courthouse is showing resistance to the peace process.”
Prisoner declared ‘recovered’ collapses again after being returned to prison
Mehmet Edip Taşar (68), a seriously ill prisoner who has undergone 18 angiographies and had 8 stents implanted, collapsed in prison after being declared “recovered” and sent back from the hospital to Marmara (Silivri) No. 5 L-Type Closed Prison. He was taken to the prison infirmary after his condition worsened.
DBP’s Birlik: How can be a solution without meeting with Abdullah Ocalan?
Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Organization Commission Co-Spokesperson Hüseyin Birlik emphasized that the conditions of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan must be improved to advance the peace process, asking, “How can there be a solution if the main interlocutor is not consulted?”
PYD Co-Chair: Talks gain momentum after disarmament removed from agenda
Syria Democratic Union Party (PYD) Co-chair Xerîb Hiso stated that the discussion on the disarmament of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) was imposed by external powers, emphasizing that “problems are solved through dialogue” and that “stability will come when people return to their homes.”
Political prisoner Yerdegul: Trust building, concrete steps are needed for progress in peace process
Former political prisoner who spent 32 years in prison Cevat Yerdegul has called for “trust-building and concrete steps” to advance the ongoing peace process concerning the Kurdish issue in Turkey.
Saturday Mothers demand justice for the disappeared in Dargeçit
The Saturday Mothers, recalling the words of the families of the Kerboran (Dargeçit) disappearances, “The bones recovered from the wells and our testimonies were not considered sufficient evidence,” demanded justice.
SDF launches security operation in Raqqa
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have launched a security operation in the city of Raqqa, in North and East Syria, targeting DAESH sleeper cells.
Call for participation in Cologne march and rally
Co-chair of the European Kurdish Democratic Society Congress (KCDK-E), Zübeyde Zümrüt, called on Kurds and their friends in Europe to join the upcoming march and rally in Cologne demanding the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan.
November 1: The Kobanê Resistance created a new life for peoples
In statements marking November 1, World Kobanê Day, organizations emphasized that the Kobanê resistance, described as the “resistance of the century”, has created a new model of life for peoples worldwide.
Peter McLaren: Language of Marx found a new grammar of hope in the mountains of Kurdistan
Academician Peter McLaren stated that the international left has a lot to learn from the Kurdish Freedom Movement and said: “The language of Marx and the poetry of resistance found a new accent, a new grammar of hope in the mountains of Kurdistan.”
DEM Party Delegation to visit İmralı on november 3
The DEM Party’s İmralı Delegation will meet with Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan on November 3.
Commission members travel to Ireland to study the IRA experience
Lawmakers serving on the parliamentary National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission have traveled to Ireland to examine the experiences of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the United Kingdom as part of the ongoing Peace and Democratic Society Process.
Tülay Hatimoğulları: This process is the salvation of 86 million people
Meral Danış Beştaş: We may visit İmralı soon
DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları stated that the Peace and Democratic Society Initiative represents “the liberation of all 86 million citizens,” while Co-Spokesperson of the HDK and member of the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission Meral Danış Beştaş said that they foresee a possible visit to İmralı in the near future.
Abdullah Öcalan meets with family members
The Asrin Law Office announced that Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan met with his relatives on İmralı Island as part of a family visitation.
Italian historian voices support for Abdullah Öcalan’s call
Italian historian Franco Cardini announced his support for Abdullah Öcalan’s call, stating, “I support the current peace process, which aims to recognize linguistic, cultural, and political rights.”
Amed Bar Association’s “Process Commission” to work under 11 headings
Amed (Diyarbakır) Bar Association Secretary General Baver Mızrak stated that the most urgent task in the process is the integration law, and that the commission they established will carry out legal work under 11 specific headings.
Citizens in İzmir: We are waiting action from the state
Citizens stressed the country’s urgent need for peace and called on the state to take immediate action, urging the commission to meet with Abdullah Öcalan as soon as possible.
Eastern Kurdish family brings puppet theater to life in Kurdish with their children
The Setvat family from Urmia in Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhilat) is reviving the nearly forgotten art of puppet theater in Wan (Van), performing it in Kurdish with their children and giving new life to both the language and the tradition.
‘Schools are creating the perception that the mother tongue is worthless’
Reacting to reports that Kurdish students were made to recite nationalist poems in schools, Education and Science Workers’ Union (Eğitim Sen) Wan (Van) Co-Chair Murat Atabay said the education system promotes the idea that “Turkishness is the superior identity” and that children’s mother tongues are inferior.
Years on the road to prisons: Pass the laws, free the prisoners
Relatives of prisoners who have been transferred to facilities far from their hometowns say they have not been able to see their loved ones for years due to distance and travel difficulties. They are calling for urgent legal reforms to ensure the release of prisoners, emphasizing that opening prison doors would contribute to an honorable peace.
HPG member Çeko Ayhan: We Want to Practice Democratic Politics on a Free Ground
People’s Defense Forces (Hêzên Parastina Gel-HPG) member Çeko Ayhan, who was among the guerrillas withdrawing from the field, emphasized that resolving the Kurdish issue requires the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan and the constitutional recognition of Kurdish rights. “We want to engage in politics on a free ground,” he said.
Journalist Hüseyin Aykol remains in critical condition
Journalist and writer Hüseyin Aykol, who was placed on a ventilator after suffering a brain hemorrhage, remains in critical condition as a lung infection shows no significant improvement, his doctor said.
Time to take political and legal action say DEM Party Co-chairs
Tuncer Bakırhan said the second stage is the legal steps and called on the state to fulfil its duties. Tülay Hatimoğulları said democratic integration is the key to a democratic republic.
‘Abdullah Öcalan’s conditions must evolve into those of a negotiator’
Human rights defender Ahmet Faruk Ünsal said that the legal and constitutional barriers causing the Kurdish question must be removed, and emphasized that Abdullah Öcalan’s conditions should evolve into those befitting a negotiator in the ongoing peace process.
Eren Keskin: It is the state itself that needs to take a step
Eren Keskin, evaluating the withdrawal of the Kurdish Freedom Movement, stated that legal regulations should be implemented as soon as possible and said, "It is the state itself that needs to take a step."
Steps are always taken from the Kurdish side says Journalist Yurtsever
Evaluating the Kurdish Freedom Movement's decision to withdraw its forces in Turkey as "crossing a strategic threshold in the peace process", journalist Engin Yurtsever said: "Steps are constantly being taken by the Kurdish side, but the state is still not taking the necessary steps."
HPG Commander Devrim Palu: If the conditions are created, the withdrawal can proceed smoothly
Speaking at a press event in Qandil, Devrim Palu, a member of the HPG (People’s Defense Forces) Command Council, emphasized the importance of democratic politics, saying, “We are not in love with weapons.” Palu noted that “if more favorable conditions are created, this withdrawal can be carried out more smoothly.”
Sabri Ok: Legal steps must be taken, Leader Öcalan must be freed
Responding to questions after the press statement, KCK Executive Council Member Sabri Ok said, “Thanks to Leader Öcalan’s tremendous efforts, we are at a very important stage. There could be some special laws and amendments specific to this.”
First photos of the historic announcement
The first photos of the Kurdish Freedom Movement's announcement that they have started withdrawing all their forces in Turkey with the approval of Abdullah Ocalan.