In Istanbul, Kurdish skepticism in the face of peace promises

In the window of this yellow taxi, words struggle, riddled with uncertainty. “Neither amnesty, nor democracy,” complains Alan, clinging to the steering wheel. At 61 years old - including 36 in Istanbul, after having had to flee the war in the South-East - the retired Kurdish professor, originally from Bingöl, would like to believe in a “real peace process”.

When asked about his doubts, his hand immediately slips into his glove compartment, only to bring out two photos: one, yellowed by the years, reveals the mustache of Apo, nickname of Abdullah Öcalan, the historic leader of the PKK; the other, more recent, but eaten away by humidity, displays the face of Selahattin Demirtas, former leader of the Kurdish political opposition.

“They are trying to sell us the idea of ​​a transition, but what transition are we talking about when our two central figures remain in prison? » The first, imprisoned since 1999, nevertheless played a leading role in the negotiations prior to the disarmament of the guerrillas...