What’s the Real Story Behind the ‘Terror-Free Turkey’ Narrative?

By: Didem Öneş

Not just today, but for the past few days, one thing that has been occupying my thoughts is the 'Terror-Free Turkey' narrative. Naturally, it's not only on my mind but also on the agenda of the media, politics, and the international community. But does this concept truly signal peace, or is it merely a carefully crafted political discourse?What we've experienced before, historical facts, developments in my country’s geopolitical neighborhood, and the global ambitions of international interest groups to reshape the world, all lead me to ask this question. I won't write an extensive analysis in terms of political science, sociology, international relations, or terrorism expertise here. Instead, I would like to explore this issue with you through a few simple but important questions.

1. Can There Be a Solution Without True Democracy?

The first condition for a terror-free Turkey is a valid and sustainable democracy for all. However, today in Turkey, political participation and freedom of expression are granted only to certain segments of society, while other dissenting voices are suppressed.The cessation of violence, sitting down at the negotiation table, and a functioning democratic process are, of course, valuable. Yet, for such a process to be sincere, it must establish justice and freedom not only for one group but for all segments of society. If political space is being opened to PKK actors while, at the same time, opposition figures within Turkey face pressure, censorship, and arrests—can we truly talk about democratization?

2. Selective Justice Breeds Distrust

When rights are granted to one group but others are suppressed, what emerges is not lasting peace but deeper polarization. Democratization must not only address the rights of a single group, but meet the broader demand for justice across society. If, while seeking a resolution to the Kurdish issue, seculars, Alevis, women, students, journalists, artists, and other opposition voices are being silenced—this is not a 'solution' but a form of 'selective silence'.

3. You Can’t Buy Social Peace with Perception Management

Whenever the 'Terror-Free Turkey' or 'Kurdish issue' narrative resurfaces, it always seems to coincide with an approaching election period or a moment when the government faces diplomatic challenges. Such timing gives the impression that this is less a peace policy and more an exercise in perception management. True peace cannot be built on slogans, but must be rooted in sincerity, transparency, and broad societal consensus.

4. Without Facing the Past, There Can Be No Trust in the Future

A real solution—or making the slogan 'Terror-Free Turkey' a reality—cannot be achieved without confronting the pain of the past, exposing the truth, and repairing collective memory. Neither the political architects of anti-terror policies nor the PKK appear genuinely willing to face this history. Without such confrontation, a new history cannot be written. The first step to gaining public trust is transparency and self-criticism.

5. Dissolution or Strategic Shift?

Does the PKK’s declaration of dissolution mean it is laying down arms, or does it simply signal a change in its tactics? This question remains unanswered. Ambiguous phrases like 'a new mode of struggle' suggest that the fight may only be shifting shape—which, in turn, erodes public trust.

6. Inclusive Democracy is the Key to Real Peace

If a truly 'terror-free Turkey' is the goal, then it requires not just the silencing of those in the mountains, but the empowerment of those in the cities to speak out. Unless concepts like the right to protest, fair judiciary, free media, and impartial law are strengthened, no solution will be lasting. If current judicial processes leave many citizens doubtful about the rule of law, then perhaps before a 'terror-free Turkey,' what we really need is a just, secular, democratic, social state governed by the rule of law—the Republic of Turkey as envisioned. Once that is achieved, terrorism will lose its ground anyway.

“Peace is not merely the silence of weapons—it is the voice of conscience.”