SÜDEF President Evgil Türker calls on Ankara to take concrete steps to achieve lasting peace

ANKARA — In the wake of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s renewed peace initiative, President of the Federation of Syriac Associations in Turkey (Süryani Dernekler Federasyonu, SÜDEF) Evgil Türker urged the Turkish government to take concrete steps toward resolving the country’s long-standing conflicts.

In an interview with the Yeni Özgür Politika, Türker noted that the Kurds had already taken a step in the process under Abdullah Öcalan’s leadership, pointing out that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (Partiya Karkerên Kurdistanê, PKK) had decided to end the armed struggle. He added that the state must also take steps, move beyond its entrenched positions, release imprisoned politicians, and make amendments to the constitution and laws.

Türker explained the position of the Syriac community on the peace process, along with their expectations and demands, stating that they have lived side by side with the Kurds for centuries and are among the communities most concerned with the Kurdish leader’s call for peace.

He added that the Syriac people, who were previously forced to leave their historical lands, had begun returning during this process, affirming that the call for peace and a democratic society had inspired enthusiasm among the community.

Türker stressed the desire of the Syriac people to participate in this process, emphasizing that the committee expected to be formed in parliament should include representatives from the Syriac community. He noted that he was unsure whether civil society organizations would be included in the committee, but indicated that as a federation, they could be part of it — especially since they have demands in this regard.

Türker affirmed that if every individual in Turkey were allowed to live according to their culture and language and were granted constitutional recognition, all peoples would benefit greatly. He praised the experience of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES), where the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people enjoy equality in all aspects with Kurds and Arabs, noting that such a way of life is also possible in Turkey.