CHP leader Özgür Özel visits Fatih Erbakan: 'Erdoğan is insincere regarding the new resolution process'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel visited Yeniden Refah Party Chairman Fatih Erbakan. Following the meeting, which lasted approximately one hour, the two leaders addressed the press. Speaking on the message from PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan regarding laying down arms, Özel and Erbakan stated, "Erdoğan is insincere in the new resolution process." 

Fatih Erbakan spoke first following the meeting. 

Erbakan stated the following: 

“We exchanged views regarding the talks with İmralı, referred to as the new resolution process, and the steps to be taken subsequently. Along with this, Turkey's economic difficulties were naturally evaluated. Furthermore, an assessment was made regarding the pressure the government has recently been exerting on the opposition, particularly by utilizing institutions and the judiciary.” 

Speaking after Erbakan, Özgür Özel said, "In fact, this is a long-overdue visit. Both parties achieved significant success in the March 31 elections, and as two parties whose success has not been digested by the ruling party throughout this process, we are targets of multi-faceted attacks." he stated. 

Speaking regarding the message from PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, Özel said the following: 

"As the CHP, we are maintaining our historical consistency. For this issue to be resolved, a study must be conducted together with the parliament, where no political party is excluded. It is very important that the consent of all victims is obtained during this process. Beyond that, we emphasize transparency. I do not find it right for a ruling party in 2025 to mock the intelligence of the nation." 

This nation is not a nation that can be deceived. If you are doing a job, you must take ownership of it. 

There is a need for sincerity now. You will put everything else aside. There will be openness, there will be sincerity. No one should deceive anyone else. It is not acceptable to say, 'I will wait and take a position according to the situation.' From the perspective of the CHP, if it is for the benefit of the people in this country, if mothers will not cry, and if Kurds will find solutions to the problems they face, we are in on this." 

We find it extremely insincere that Recep Tayyip Erdoğan watches the issue from the sidelines—not even passively, but cowardly—as if there were no secret agenda negotiations, while loading all the political risk onto his partner's back, thinking, 'If an advantage comes out of this, I will go and benefit from it.'" 

Addressing the allegations of house arrest discussed for Öcalan, Erbakan said, "House arrest should not even be a topic of discussion." he stated. 

Erbakan added the following: 

"The realization of peace, the cessation of martyrdom, and the end of bloodshed—the brotherhood of Turks, Kurds, and all 85 million of us—is our most important desire. No one should say no to this; it is impossible not to consent to it."

At this point, a call for peace and for the PKK to lay down its arms is a reasonable approach, as we have expressed in our previous statements. However, I want to state that it is not appropriate for Abdullah Öcalan to be released from there in any way, to be placed under house arrest, or to benefit from certain rights. I want to express that it is not appropriate for him to benefit from the 'right to hope.' We had already stated in our previous remarks that if such a call were to be made, he should make it from where he is, from Imralı, and that we do not want him in Ankara. The developments so far have unfolded as we suggested. We will, of course, closely follow every step taken from here on. As I said, I want to express that there should be no situation where Abdullah Öcalan benefits from the 'right to hope,' receives certain concessions in exchange for this statement, is placed under house arrest, or has his sentence abolished.

It is extremely important that the YPG, the terrorist forces in northern Syria that have effectively become an army, lay down their arms. Without this, it is not possible to say that a full solution has been reached or that peace has been achieved. I regret to state that we have doubts regarding the government's sincerity on this matter. Expressions are being put forward with the sentiment that 'peace should come, martyrs should not fall, and a calm environment should prevail.' However, we continue to have thoughts and doubts regarding the plan to use this statement to grant Abdullah Öcalan certain concessions and allow him to benefit from certain rights, in exchange for securing the DEM Party's support in Parliament to enact a constitutional amendment desired by the government. As the esteemed Chairman also expressed, it is important that this be done sincerely, without any expectations or quid pro quo, and without granting Öcalan rights he does not deserve.