Political scientist Mehmet Zahir Sarıtaş has voiced strong skepticism regarding the current trajectory of the Kurdish peace process in Turkey, arguing that the state remains trapped in a security-oriented framework that prevents a genuine solution. In a recent assessment, Sarıtaş contended that the government’s “Terror-Free Turkey” narrative is a tool for containment rather than a roadmap for democratic reconciliation.
Sarıtaş highlighted the disparity between the state’s objectives and the vision proposed by Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan. While the state characterizes the current phase as a move toward a “Terror-Free Turkey,” Sarıtaş noted that Öcalan defines the process as a restructuring of Turkish-Kurdish relations aimed at building a “Peace and Democratic Society.” The political scientist warned that this lack of alignment, coupled with a lack of concrete framework legislation and limited communication with Öcalan, threatens the legitimacy of the ongoing initiative.
Addressing the government’s stance, specifically comments by official Mehmet Uçum that emphasize “dialogue” over “negotiation,” Sarıtaş warned that such rhetoric suggests the state could unilaterally terminate the process at any time. He argued that for a lasting peace, the government must abandon its monist, centralized approach and move toward “democratic integration,” which would include constitutional guarantees for Kurdish identity and the cessation of policies such as the appointment of state trustees to local municipalities.
Sarıtaş concluded that the failure to implement European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) rulings and the refusal to engage in meaningful negotiations risk squandering a historic opportunity for stability in the region.