Özel in Van: “We Say Yes to a Turkey Without Terrorism”

CHP leader Özgür Özel delivered a strong message of peace and democratic resolution at a rally in Van, the fifth stop in the “The Nation Defends Its Will” campaign, launched following the imprisonment of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Addressing the public from Van’s city square, Özel expressed support for any sincere and transparent efforts aimed at peace, stating, “We support every step taken and to be taken for peace. We say yes to a Turkey without terrorism.”

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“We Have Never Denied the Kurdish Issue”

Reaffirming his party’s long-standing stance on the Kurdish question, Özel stated, “We have never been among those who deny the existence of the Kurdish issue. We have always acknowledged this problem.” He emphasized the need to end the practice of government-appointed trustees replacing elected mayors and called for the release of political prisoners.

The rally drew large crowds carrying placards supporting detained mayors Ekrem İmamoğlu and Ahmet Özer. Messages from both mayors were read aloud, with particular attention paid to solidarity between Van and Esenyurt, where Özer had served as mayor.

“Political Prisoners Must Be Freed”

During his speech, Özel addressed the government’s failed peace initiative:
“Even though they could not even call it a peace process, let me say this: we have supported and will continue to support every honest step taken for the cessation of violence and the establishment of peace, provided it is not based on deceit, bargaining, or manipulation. Every citizen of this country is an equal stakeholder in the Republic. The phrase ‘Turks and Kurds lie side by side in Gallipoli’ is not a metaphor. If you visit, you’ll literally see Turkish and Kurdish names sharing the same grave.”

He added, “When those who long resisted any progress finally take a step, we do not respond by highlighting their past hypocrisy. Instead, we say every step forward matters.”

“End the Practice of Trusteeship”

Highlighting historical injustices in the region, Özel declared, “These lands have endured many storms, but none as devastating as injustice itself.” He reiterated CHP’s call for the Kurdish issue to be resolved through sincere and transparent dialogue within the parliament and with the consent of all affected parties.

“We have consistently advocated for an end to tears and pain through mutual understanding,” he said, inviting applause for Sırrı Süreyya Önder, a politician long associated with peace efforts.

Stressing the importance of inclusion, he continued:
“Kurdish citizens should view Turkey as their own state—one their ancestors died for. We will together take every democratic step necessary. We support the end of terrorism. We say yes to a Turkey without terrorism. If recent reports that the terrorist organization may soon lay down arms prove true, we fully support that development.”

Özel underlined the need for reforms to ensure Kurds feel equal citizens and demanded urgent action to correct unequal treatment, starting with abolishing the practice of appointing state trustees in place of elected mayors and freeing political detainees.

“Those who cannot say yes to this are outside this process,” he said. “We wholeheartedly support a future where mothers no longer cry.”