Co-Chair of pro-Kurdish Dem Party: “Seeking a Solution with Some Doesn’t Mean We Turn Our Backs on Others”

Tuncer Bakırhan, Co-Chair of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), shared his views on the PKK’s disarmament process, the proposed parliamentary commission, and the ongoing constitutional reform discussions in Turkey.

We Won’t Support a Constitution That Lacks Democracy and Inclusion

In an interview with Gökçer Tahincioğlu and Ceren Bayar from T24, Bakırhan stressed that Turkey needs a democratic constitution, but the DEM Party will not support a constitution that lacks those characteristics. He stated, “I want to make this clear to the public: eventually, this constitution will be brought before us. If it doesn’t include a resolution to the Kurdish issue, if there’s no democratization, if it doesn’t represent women, if it fails to inspire hope for youth, if Alevis are not granted equal citizenship rights, if economic justice is absent, and if environmental destruction continues—who would say yes to that? Would DEM Party support such a constitution?”

“Those Who Avoid the Political Arena Will Lose”

Bakırhan emphasized that the Republican People’s Party (CHP) should take part in the parliamentary commission, saying that all political actors must be at the table to halt the country’s downward trajectory. “We need to support this process. CHP must be there, and I believe they will be. One must struggle at the table. The table is like a political arena. Those who avoid it will lose. If we want peace, we need to be present on that arena,” he said.

“We Are Trying to Move the Process Forward”

Acknowledging that the process is still in its early stages, Bakırhan noted that some disruptions and shifting priorities have emerged along the way. “It’s not a fully formed process yet. Some concerns and suspicions are surfacing, and priorities are sometimes postponed or replaced by others,” he said.

He added that a successful outcome would lead to democratization in Turkey. “Let me be clear—if this process succeeds, if it is not shelved again, if the opposition supports it, and if all elements of society contribute and support it, then democracy will come to Turkey. The resources currently being drained by the Kurdish issue will instead be invested in workers and the oppressed.”

“We Were Not Informed About the Process”

Commenting on the handshake with MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli in Parliament, Bakırhan said there had been no prior information or contact, and that silence from İmralı had caused concern. He believes Bahçeli’s gesture contributed positively to the process. “There was absolutely no information or contact. We hadn’t heard anything from İmralı for such a long time that the silence worried us. Bahçeli’s handshake contributed greatly to starting the process. He did the right thing. While the Middle East is in turmoil, it is valuable to consider the future and security of this country, to put the issue on the table, and to discuss it. If something positive is happening, it should be acknowledged. This touches on a century-old wound in Turkey. He’s saying, ‘Let’s talk about this issue. There’s nothing we can’t resolve through dialogue.’ So what should the Kurds or the DEM Party do? Say, ‘You had a certain stance in the past, so we’re not joining’? No—we won’t say that. We should recognize the value of Bahçeli’s words.”

“We Will Maintain Our Opposition Identity”

Bakırhan underlined that they will continue to speak out against government actions targeting the CHP, stating that DEM Party will remain in opposition regardless of any dialogue with the government. “We are a principled party. Just because we’re sitting at the table with one side to seek a solution doesn’t mean we will turn our backs on what happens to the other. That’s not who we are. We can’t say, ‘We’re talking to the government now, so let’s ignore its shortcomings and wrongdoings.’ We are an opposition party. That reality still holds. Even if this process succeeds, we will preserve our identity as an opposition party. When the mining law is proposed, we will stand against it. If there’s a measure that benefits workers, we will support it.”

Source: BIANET.ORG (translated by BTT)