Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu, Chairman of HÜDA PAR and Istanbul MP, delivered a strong appeal for unconditional fundamental rights, justice, and national unity during the inaugural session of the Turkish Grand National Assembly’s Parliamentary Commission on a “Terror-Free Türkiye” on Tuesday.

Addressing lawmakers from nearly all political parties, Yapıcıoğlu urged a pragmatic and sincere approach to resolving Türkiye’s long-standing Kurdish issue, warning that failure to act risks further instability in an already volatile region.

A Historic Step Toward a Terror-Free Türkiye

The newly established commission, created to address Türkiye’s decades-long struggle with terrorism and ethnic tensions, marks a significant effort to confront one of the nation’s most complex challenges. The initiative comes amid renewed calls for peace following years of stalled negotiations, intermittent violence, and deep political polarization.

The commission’s mandate includes formulating strategies to combat terrorism while addressing underlying social and political grievances—particularly those related to Türkiye’s Kurdish population, which makes up roughly 15–20% of the country.

HÜDA PAR, a conservative party with a strong base in Türkiye’s Kurdish-majority southeast, has positioned itself as a key player in the commission. Known for its emphasis on Islamic values and advocacy for Kurdish rights, the party has often promoted solutions that balance cultural recognition with national unity.

Yapıcıoğlu’s speech, delivered in a crowded assembly hall, underscored both the urgency of the commission’s work and the necessity of cross-party cooperation.

“This issue transcends political parties; linking it to other matters or derailing the process is a grave mistake,” Yapıcıoğlu said, according to the official transcript of the session. “The issue is big, deep, and multidimensional, but it can be resolved. It is an urgent necessity that cannot be postponed. Two things are needed: a strong will and sincere effort.”

Unconditional Rights as a Pillar of Justice

A central theme of Yapıcıoğlu’s address was the unconditional recognition of fundamental rights.

“If something is a right, it should be granted unconditionally; that is the requirement of justice,” he stated. He stressed that tying rights to disarmament or political negotiations has historically undermined peace efforts.

“The most significant reason for past failures was the insistence on linking the issue of violence to the legitimate rights claims of our Kurdish brothers and sisters,” Yapıcıoğlu said. “Mixing these two issues will lead to failure and disappointment once again.”

Yapıcıoğlu also welcomed comments by Abdülhamit Gül, representing the ruling AK Party, who affirmed that fundamental rights would never be subject to negotiation. Observers suggest this alignment could indicate potential consensus among certain parties, although bridging ideological divides within the commission will remain a significant challenge in Türkiye’s polarized political landscape.

Rejecting Ethnic Division

Yapıcıoğlu strongly condemned any attempts to incite ethnic hostility, warning that such efforts harm all communities equally.

“Those who seek to turn Kurds against Turks, Turks against Kurds, or Turks against Arabs—or to sow seeds of enmity between them, regardless of their title, name, or ethnicity—are harming all communities equally,” he said.

He rooted his call for unity in Türkiye’s shared history, describing a “thousand years of brotherhood” founded on common faith and a shared destiny.

“Expressions such as ‘unity,’ ‘brotherhood,’ and ‘strengthening the internal front’ are not merely political slogans,” he added. “They reflect an obligation to resolve our issues through peaceful means based on justice.”

Yapıcıoğlu cautioned that failing to address the Kurdish issue could expose Türkiye to “imperialist intervention, wasted generations, and economic collapse” in an already unstable region.

A Pragmatic, Step-by-Step Approach

While supporting the commission’s broad mandate, Yapıcıoğlu urged lawmakers to avoid overcomplicating its work by linking all of the nation’s issues together.

“We can discuss all our problems, but intertwining them will make it even more difficult to solve a problem that is already complex,” he said. “Saying we will either solve all our problems at once or none of them is problematic. It is rational to analyze the problems carefully and strive to solve them piece by piece.”

He expressed cautious optimism about recent statements from other parties acknowledging mistakes in past peace efforts. “It is encouraging to hear that lessons have been learned, but we must be very careful going forward,” he said, stressing the need for meticulous planning to avoid repeating historical failures.

Historical Context and Ongoing Challenges

The Kurdish issue has been one of Türkiye’s most enduring challenges since the founding of the republic, with tensions escalating in the 1980s due to the armed insurgency led by the PKK, a designated terrorist organization. Previous peace initiatives, such as the 2013–2015 peace process, collapsed amid renewed violence and political disagreements.

The creation of the “Terror-Free Türkiye” Commission reflects a renewed attempt to address these issues, but skepticism remains high. Opposition parties, including the CHP and DEM Party, have expressed cautious support, while emphasizing the need for transparency and inclusivity in the commission’s work.

A Call for Historical Responsibility

Yapıcıoğlu concluded his speech with an appeal for the commission to fulfill its “historical responsibility” to future generations.

“The important thing is to make a serious contribution to resolving one of our most pressing problems and to leave a homeland where future generations can live in peace and brotherhood,” he said. “I pray this commission’s work will be successful in laying a foundation for peace, unity, and justice.”

The commission is expected to hold regular meetings to develop policy recommendations, with its next session scheduled for later this month. Its success will depend on its ability to foster genuine dialogue and translate its discussions into actionable steps. (ILKHA)