content tagged with Kurdish question

Tuğçe Yılmaz

'PKK disarmament is not an end, but the first step toward an honorable peace'

Q&A WITH TUNCER BAKIRHAN

'PKK disarmament is not an end, but the first step toward an honorable peace'

We spoke with DEM Party Co-Chair Bakırhan about the debates on resolving the Kurdish question, the operations targeting the CHP, and the role of socialists and other segments of society in the process.

9 July 2025 Tuğçe Yılmaz

PKK leader Öcalan releases first video message in 26 years ahead of disarmament ceremony

PKK leader Öcalan releases first video message in 26 years ahead of disarmament ceremony

"Politics know no vacuum; therefore, the vacuum should be filled with the program of 'Democratic Society'," said Öcalan.

Ayşegül Başar

'We should all take our place in the boat of peace and row'

Q&A WITH ÇİĞDEM KILIÇGÜN-UÇAR

'We should all take our place in the boat of peace and row'

Democratic Regions Party Co-Chair Kılıçgün-Uçar emphasizes that all segments of society must be involved in the new peace process.

27 June 2025 Ayşegül Başar

Ercan Jan Aktaş

What does Öcalan's perspective mean to whom?

Q&A WITH SAYİD DARATİ

What does Öcalan's perspective mean to whom?

Dr. Darati compares Turkey in 2025 to the Ottoman Empire in 1918: "The Middle East is burning, Anatolia is fragmented; the state has no chance of survival except by reaching an agreement with the Kurds."

25 June 2025 Ercan Jan Aktaş

Families of soldiers and PKK militants to gather in Diyarbakır as part of peace efforts

Families of soldiers and PKK militants to gather in Diyarbakır as part of peace efforts

“One of the most important aspects that must not be ignored is how those directly affected feel about the process. We believe their support is key to building a social foundation for peace," says the head of the Human Rights Association in Diyarbakır.

PKK leader Öcalan greets group’s decision to disband

PKK leader Öcalan greets group’s decision to disband

The imprisoned PKK leader had called on the group to disband in late February.

'No excuse left not to build a democratic Turkey' after PKK lays down arms, says pro-Kurdish leader

'No excuse left not to build a democratic Turkey' after PKK lays down arms, says pro-Kurdish leader

Bakırhan and Buldan believe the militant group's move could pave the way for Turkey's democratization.

Turkish government officials welcome PKK disbanding as 'historic turning point'

Turkish government officials welcome PKK disbanding as 'historic turning point'

The communications director and the justice minister hailed the PKK's decision as a success of the government's push for a "terror-free Turkey."

Full text: PKK’s statement on disbanding decision

Full text: PKK’s statement on disbanding decision

We are publishing the Kurdistan Workers' Party's declaration following its congress held between May 5-7.

PKK declares disbandment, ending four-decade armed insurgency against Turkey

PKK declares disbandment, ending four-decade armed insurgency against Turkey

As part of a new peace initiative, PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan called on the group to disband in late February.

PKK expected to announce dissolution ‘at any moment'

PKK expected to announce dissolution ‘at any moment'

The PKK has announced that it held a congress but has yet to disclose its outcome. The group’s leader Abdullah Öcalan in late February called on the PKK to lay down arms to end 40 years of armed insurgency.

DEM Party confirms assassination attempt targeting late politician Sırrı Süreyya Önder

DEM Party confirms assassination attempt targeting late politician Sırrı Süreyya Önder

Önder, who died of a cardiac issue on May 3, reportedly faced a sabotage attempt involving his car last month. Speculation has risen that he may have been targeted due to his involvement in the ongoing Kurdish peace initiative.

PKK leader reaffirms hope for peace process, highlights Önder's role

PKK leader reaffirms hope for peace process, highlights Önder's role

The PKK leader expects the peace process to gain pace in the coming days, according to DEM officials.

Tuğçe Yılmaz

'We come from a long past, and we are thinking about a long future'

Q&A WITH SIRRI SÜREYYA ÖNDER ON KURDISH PEACE TALKS

'We come from a long past, and we are thinking about a long future'

We spoke with Sırrı Süreyya Önder, one of the key figures in discussions on resolving the Kurdish question, about often-overlooked aspects of peace processes.

7 April 2025 Tuğçe Yılmaz

DEM Party delegation meets Iraqi Kurdish leaders amid peace process talks

DEM Party delegation meets Iraqi Kurdish leaders amid peace process talks

The delegation emphasized that resolving the Kurdish issue through political and legal means, rather than conflict, would benefit not only Turkey but also the broader Middle East.

17 February 2025

DEM Party delegation makes second visit to meet PKK leader in prison

DEM Party delegation makes second visit to meet PKK leader in prison

The meetings come in the wake of nationalist leader Devlet Bahçeli’s initiatives.

22 January 2025

MHP's Bahçeli reiterates call for Öcalan to declare dissolution of PKK in parliament

MHP's Bahçeli reiterates call for Öcalan to declare dissolution of PKK in parliament

Despite the recent takeover of pro-Kurdish municipalities, the nationalist leader insists on his offer.

5 November 2024

Öcalan's message: İmralı Island, possibilities, opportunities

Öcalan's message: İmralı Island, possibilities, opportunities

Öcalan is expressing his own choice, saying, "I am here." From this point, the choice is now left to the state. The state must make its own decision. I believe this phase is the most crucial one for the state.

26 October 2024 Özgür Amed

PKK leaders respond to Bahçeli’s call for Öcalan to speak in parliament

PKK leaders respond to Bahçeli’s call for Öcalan to speak in parliament

Turkey's new rapprochement initiative with the Kurds is driven by an anticipated regional conflict between Israel and Iran, with Turkey seeking Kurdish support to navigate broader conflict, according to PKK leaders.

23 October 2024

Erdoğan backs Bahçeli’s dialogue initiative with Kurds as ‘historic opportunity’

Erdoğan backs Bahçeli’s dialogue initiative with Kurds as ‘historic opportunity’

The president called for the support of all political parties, civil society and the entire public for the new process.

22 October 2024

Bahçeli calls for imprisoned PKK leader to speak in parliament

Bahçeli calls for imprisoned PKK leader to speak in parliament

Erdoğan’s nationalist ally made yet another surprising move as Turkey discusses a new peace process with the Kurds.

22 October 2024

Murat İnceoğlu

Is Turkey heading toward a new peace process? Pro-Kurdish DEM party says ‘We won’t reject an extended hand’

Is Turkey heading toward a new peace process? Pro-Kurdish DEM party says ‘We won’t reject an extended hand’

In a closed meeting with a limited number of journalists, DEM Party’s co-leaders discussed the recent talk of a potential new peace process with the Kurds, triggered by the unexpected handshake between nationalist leader Bahçeli and DEM's Bakırhan.

19 October 2024 Murat İnceoğlu

An ‘event’ and afterwards: The handshake between Bahçeli and DEM deputies

An ‘event’ and afterwards: The handshake between Bahçeli and DEM deputies

Authoritarian states know that when they are under pressure, the "internal" will become stronger. Therefore, they have to read the internal balances correctly and take steps accordingly. Their aim is not to solve crises but to manage them.

14 October 2024 Özgür Amed

The 'Women Discuss Lausanne on Its 100th Anniversary' workshop proclaims a declaration

The 'Women Discuss Lausanne on Its 100th Anniversary' workshop proclaims a declaration

"While the Treaty of Lausanne was regarded as the deed of foundation of the Republic of Turkey, it turned into a populicide for those who do not have Turkish and Sunni identities," the declaration says.

'Hakan Fidan stands at a crucial point for the Kurdish question'

'Hakan Fidan stands at a crucial point for the Kurdish question'

bianet has talked to academician Adnan Çelik about the new cabinet and the "Kurdish Ministers" in the cabinet.

6 June 2023 Tuğçe Yılmaz

The Kurdish question for beginners

The Kurdish question for beginners

The Kurdish Question, which was said to "not exist" before, is said to have been "solved" today. The first was not true, neither is the second.

25 October 2022 Selahattin Demirtaş

Many detained during police raids on HDP, HDK

Many detained during police raids on HDP, HDK

As part of a new operation in 10 provinces against HDP and HDK, several politicians including party executives have been detained.

Constitutional Court: 'Unjust provocation' can not be applied to the shooting of a 12-year-old

Constitutional Court: 'Unjust provocation' can not be applied to the shooting of a 12-year-old

Turkey's Constitutional Court overturned the decision in the killing of a 12-year-old boy, Nihat Kazanhan, who lost his life after being shot with a gun by the police. The case will be reopened.

Eighty-year-old couple in Van jailed for ‘aiding an illegal organization’

Eighty-year-old couple in Van jailed for ‘aiding an illegal organization’

A couple aged 79 and 80 were sent to jail after their sentences were confirmed by the court of appeal.

Letter from jailed Kurdish politician Leyla Güven for Mother’s Day

Letter from jailed Kurdish politician Leyla Güven for Mother’s Day

“You have always said the same… ‘We want peace’.” Leyla Güven wrote from prison to Peace Mothers.

HDP MP Başaran: In my person, all Kurds, all women, and all HDP members were threatened

HDP MP Başaran: In my person, all Kurds, all women, and all HDP members were threatened

“I will nail you down is a sentence towards Turkey’s democracy,” said HDP MP Başaran regarding the threats by a police officer yesterday at HDP headquarters

HDP's Sancar says opposition should be 'brave' to tackle Kurdish question

HDP's Sancar says opposition should be 'brave' to tackle Kurdish question

"What will unlock the great peace is a democratic solution to the Kurdish question. Without putting forward a convincing and consistent program, you can't achieve the results you want," Sancar has said.