ISTANBUL - The Peace Foundation's recent workshop in Istanbul stressed the need for a legal basis for disarmament efforts and urged improvements to Abdullah Öcalan's prison conditions to advance the peace process.
At the "Workshop on Disarmament in the Kurdish Question" held on April 26 in Istanbul by the Peace Foundation, participants—including academics, civil society representatives, writers, and journalists—emphasized the importance of building a sustainable peace through strong political will, legal reforms, and inclusive dialogue. A key point raised was the urgent need to improve imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s conditions to allow his effective participation in a potential PKK congress.
One of the workshop's main conclusions was that peacebuilding efforts must be supported by a solid legal foundation, especially given Turkey’s ongoing challenges with human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The collapse of the 2013–2015 peace process was cited as a reminder of the dangers of excluding democratic and legal safeguards in such negotiations. Participants argued that without addressing these underlying issues, societal skepticism about current peace efforts would continue to grow.
The role of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) was highlighted as essential in introducing legislative changes to support reintegration policies, such as enabling the participation of former combatants in democratic life and halting security operations in the legal-political arena. It was also noted that peace cannot be achieved without addressing the conditions for dialogue and negotiation—especially those involving recognized interlocutors like Öcalan.
Furthermore, the workshop called for the unconditional protection of fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, the release of ill prisoners, and the right to hope. Participants rejected the idea that peace and democratization must happen in sequence, instead stressing the need to pursue both goals simultaneously.
A recurring message was that all segments of society—including political parties, civil society, media, and rights organizations—have roles to play in sustaining momentum for peace. The workshop concluded with a call to “establish our voice in favor of peace,” recognizing that resolving the Kurdish question requires both institutional commitment and active public involvement, particularly from women’s groups, legal associations, and human rights defenders.