What is this European Charter of Local Self-Government?

While the separatist terrorist organization PKK has not laid down its arms or surrendered, except for burning 30 Kalashnikovs;

While the Syrian PKK, the YPG/SDG, is establishing "self-governance" in the region they call "Rojava";

While Mazlum Kobani, the head of the YPG/SDG—whom even a pro-government media columnist called "the West's trash"—is being internationalized by attending the Munich Security Conference as if he were the co-chair of the Syrian Foreign Minister;

While Tuncer Bakırhan, co-chair of the DEM Party—with which the AKP-MHP alliance is walking hand-in-hand—responds to Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's remarks regarding terrorists in Iraq with the threat, "We warn you: Iraq is neither like Libya nor Syria";

While Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, the DEM Group Deputy Chair—who, according to AKP's Şamil Tayyar, was told "Write, Gülistan" by the terrorist leader when they went to İmralı on behalf of the Parliament's PKK commission, and according to another claim, was told "Take our photo, Gülistan"—describes the 27th anniversary of the terrorist leader's capture as the "anniversary of his being brought here through an international conspiracy" and speaks of "the Kurdish issue, constitutional citizenship, and facing the past rather than denial";

And furthermore, while the DEM Party, effectively equating the PKK with our citizens of Kurdish origin, has appended a dissenting opinion to the PKK commission's report by objecting to concepts such as "a Turkey without terror, terrorist organization, the scourge of terror" from the very beginning, emphasizing that "the Kurdish issue cannot be referred to with the concept of terror," that the issue is one of "identity, culture, and the equality and freedom rights of the Kurdish people," and demanding mother-tongue education;

The draft of the joint report prepared by the commission was announced with great fanfare.

Numan Kurtulmuş, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) and head of the commission, stated that "we are going through a historic period in the terror issue" and that "Turkey will continue to be a pioneer of peace in the region, contrary to the wishes of global powers."

On the way from Ethiopia to Turkey, Erdoğan stated that "encouraging developments supporting our ideal of a terror-free zone in Syria are taking place," and regarding a "terror-free Turkey," he said: "We are constantly addressing the legal and social dimensions of the issue. We are keeping a very tight grip on this matter, both with our Parliament Speaker and our friends in the commission. With patience, wisdom, and determination, we are walking this path, thank God. At the end of this path, the terror problem that has harmed our country for years will, God willing, be removed from our agenda forever." After the commission report was announced, he added:

"We have taken a historic step. With its report, our commission has presented a perspective that will give momentum to the process. I see this report, which serves as a roadmap, as an important achievement. Certain steps will be taken regarding the complete liquidation of the terrorist organization that has declared it is laying down its arms."

Coordination and the Terrorist Leader's Final Commands

Let us look at the terrorist leader.

The İmralı delegation, consisting of Pervin Buldan, Mithat Sancar, and lawyer Özgür Faik Erol, last went to the island on Monday. Upon their return, it was announced that a statement regarding the meeting would be made on Tuesday.

But for some reason, Mithat Sancar told a television station that same evening what they had discussed with the terrorist leader for 3 hours.

The terrorist leader started the meeting by saying, "This meeting is an entry meeting for integration"... While evaluating the 16-month process, he said, "The first phase is over... The essence of the first phase was for the PKK to dissolve itself and lay down its arms. This is a strategic decision." He said the following regarding the second, or "integration" phase:

"There are gains from the struggle carried out in Rojava by the Kurdish people together with other peoples. Integration is not just a simple unification; the recognition of existence and rights, democracy, and the protection of gains are the fundamental parts of this process... The construction of a democratic republic is a very important and very serious issue. Integration is only possible with a democratic republic. We are talking about building a new century with a long life and scope. We are talking about saving history, not just the day. And this cannot happen without the Kurds."

He also noted that to "form the architecture of this second process and move forward," "regulations regarding communication and working conditions are inevitable."

Not "No Amnesty, There is ECHR," But This Autonomy

Whether it was because of Sancar's speech or because something else was expected—it is unknown; but the DEM Party made the statement not on Tuesday, but yesterday, simultaneously with the commission report.

In that statement, it was announced that the terrorist leader spoke of "transitioning to a democratic integration process" and that "this process is a process of ending denial and rebellion," and he summarized his points as follows:

"The TBMM Commission report must be compatible with fundamental social realities... A policy that approaches the issue with the logic of 'liquidating terror' expresses not a solution, but a lack of solution... It would not be correct to reduce the issue to a few changes in criminal law articles. The fundamental principles of integration are in the February 27 declaration. This is a political program. There is an issue of defining citizenship... It could be called constitutional citizenship, but free citizenship is broader than that... If you cannot impose your religion and language on someone else, you should not impose your nationality either... A democratic society expresses the ability to freely construct its social identity. Society has cultural elements; there are health institutions, education and sports institutions, hospitals, and economic institutions... These are the main principles and organizational model of our integration... This is also what we propose for Syria. What I call local democracy is this: Whether it is a city or a village, they must have the right to freely express themselves and govern themselves. The conditions for local government are clear. I am not saying a separate state or region. A version of the European Charter of Local Self-Government that is compatible with our social reality and expanded would also be a strong basis for this."

In short; the terrorist leader has commanded that in the second phase, the definition of Turkish citizenship be changed and the European Charter of Local Self-Government be expanded, meaning it should be implemented without reservations.

We will dwell on his second command; because here, just as it was said, "There is no amnesty for Öcalan, there is the implementation of ECHR rulings," there is a situation where wordplay can be used, such as "autonomy is not wanted, the Local Government Charter is wanted."

Let us state this from the very beginning; during the first resolution process, the terrorist leader also made the implementation of the European Charter of Local Self-Government a condition. While the AKP promised in its election manifesto at the time that our reservations regarding this charter would be lifted, the CHP also supported it.

Let us recall what this charter, which will enter our agenda again after 13 years at the command of the terrorist leader, actually is.

First; the second article of the convention envisions that "the principle of autonomous local government shall be recognized by national legislation and, where appropriate, by the constitution."

Second; Turkey signed this convention by placing reservations on exactly 7 articles and 10 paragraphs. Here are those articles and paragraphs:

– Local authorities shall be consulted, in so far as possible, in due time and in an appropriate way in the planning and decision-making processes for all matters which concern them directly.

– Without prejudice to more general statutory provisions, local authorities shall be able to determine their own internal administrative structures in order to adapt them to local needs and ensure effective management.

– The financial systems on which resources allocated to local authorities are based shall be of a sufficiently diversified and flexible nature to enable them to keep pace as far as practically possible with the actual evolution of the cost of carrying out their tasks.

– Local authorities shall be consulted, in an appropriate manner, on the way in which redistributed resources are to be allocated to them.

– As far as possible, grants to local authorities shall not be earmarked for the financing of specific projects. The provision of grants shall not remove the basic freedom of local authorities to exercise policy discretion within their own jurisdiction.

– States shall recognize the right of local authorities to associate, in exercising their powers, for the protection and promotion of their common interests and to join international associations of local authorities.

– Local authorities shall have the right of recourse to a judicial remedy in order to secure free exercise of their powers and respect for such principles of local self-government as are enshrined in the constitution or domestic law.

According to Bahçeli's calculation, the terrorist leader was going to dissolve the PKK and lay down arms unconditionally in exchange for the "right to hope," right?

This is just the beginning; let's wait and see what else the "founding leadership" will demand!..

Müyesser YILDIZ

February 19, 2026