Actor and director Ahmet Mümtaz Taylan, one of the Turkey's observers of the Democratic Progress Institute (DPI), which monitors peaceful resolution processes in conflict zones around the world, answered ANF’s questions about the Peace and Democratic Society Process.

Emphasizing that he has “cautious hope” regarding the process, Taylan said: “We have reasons to be cautious. Because this is not the first time. We have witnessed different resolution processes being launched, brought to an end and shelved many times. This time, the issue has progressed considerably. It has become somewhat more visible. We do not know in depth what is happening. We will learn gradually.

But I suppose the fact that matters of this kind are not open to extensive public discussion is inherent in the nature of the issue itself. In other words, when everything is discussed openly and together with all the parties, the process takes much longer, becomes more complicated and generally produces poor results. Carrying out a process and then presenting it to the public is somewhat more understandable. I cannot say that I agree with it, but I find it understandable.”

“Having hope is essential,” Taylan said, adding: “Because we are going to try to live together in this country. We have no other choice. There is no other option. We have seen time and again that things that appear to be alternatives are in fact the absence of alternatives. No good outcome comes from a climate of conflict. Neither here nor anywhere else in the world. Therefore, we have to be hopeful.

We are trying to understand. It has only been two days since the texts concerning the Framework Law emerged. It is not possible for ordinary people like me to read that text from beginning to end and fully understand the whole matter. These are not things we are familiar with, either in terms of the language or in terms of their substance. But as citizens, as members of society, we are concerned with these issues. At this point, I can say that I am cautiously hopeful.”

We must be part of the solution

Taylan said that the current process is unlike previous processes and stressed that society should be involved in it, adding: “For one thing, we are seeing its most advanced form. In other words, this version, the version we have in front of us, is the most advanced one. For it to be permanent and sustainable, it needs to be accepted by broad sections of society. People first need to be informed and then to accept it. You start by sharing information. You start by sharing it as openly as possible.

Whatever has happened up to this point has happened, but from now on it is necessary to provide the public with as much information as possible. We need to explain it to and try to convince broad sections of society, without excluding anyone, and bring them into the process. Technically, this is how it is done. Not only with this issue, but with every issue. All matters requiring social consensus should be approached this way.

The government also seems likely to do this in some way now. Up to this point, perhaps the circumstances of secrecy and confidentiality were justified. The criticisms are justified, but as I said at the beginning, taking these matters to the public before they have reached a certain level of maturity generally does not produce very good results. There are many examples. Take the Irish process and the IRA, for instance. Because that process was so long, there was no problem of lack of information there. Everyone knew about the issue and, when they went to a referendum, for example, they moved the process forward with broad acceptance.

But in other countries where information was insufficient, things went in the opposite direction. Colombia is an example. In Colombia, because information was insufficient, because the issue was not adequately shared and debated with the public and information was not conveyed, the referendum resulted in a ‘no’ vote, and they lost a great deal of time.

But from this point on, it needs to be shared and debated as broadly as possible, and everyone needs to be heard: civil society organizations, political organizations, all kinds of formations. Everyone needs to be heard and made a partner in the solution. I think we have been part of the problem for long enough; now certain strategies need to be implemented so that we can become part of the solution.”

Taylan added that the artistic and academic communities also have …