While the isolation in İmralı continue, Peoples' Equality and Democracy Part (DEM Party) Riha (Urfa) MP Ömer Öcalan was granted a meeting with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan on 23 October 2024. In the meeting, which was considered as a "family meeting", Abdullah Öcalan stated that the isolation still continues. Ömer Öcalan evaluated the meeting, the isolation and the meeting held by the DEM Party İmralı Delegation to Mezopotamya Agency (MA) and said, "Even the rumour of a solution creates excitement in people." 

 

Ömer Öcalan stated that they closely saw people's longing for a soltuion and stated after 4 years they had a meeting. Ömer Öcalan said, "Three months have passed since this meeting. We cannot talk about a law in İmralı. The last meeting on behalf of the family was held on 3 March 2020 by his brother Mehmet Öcalan. Upon many applications, I met with him on 23 October. He also had friends with him, Emine Konar, Ömer Hayri Konar's sister Emine Konar, Hamili Yıldırım. They too cannot meet with their families and lawyers. This unlawfulness must end. If democracy is to come to this country, it must start from İmralı, which has become a black hole in the law. Mr Öcalan also had these demands during our meeting. He must meet with his family. This isolation must be lifted as soon as possible. If we are going to talk about a solution, we need to start here."

 

Ömer Öcalan stated that the government in Turkey is pursuing a policy of "Lose" and said, "Against this, there is the paradigm put forward by Mr Öcalan. The discussions on 'Will the state authorities in Turkey take steps for a narrow solution to the problems that have been going on for a hundred years' have been going on for 4 months. No one calls this a process, it is not a process. If there was a process, everyone would have contributed and given strength. When a harsh, marginalising, racist language that is contrary to the language of politics and peace is used, it is not convincing to people. There is an anxiety in people, and this is the reason for it."

 

'THE RIGHT TO HOPE IS NOT A FAVOUR'

 

Drawing attention to the European Court of Human Rights' (ECtHR) ruling on PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan's right to hope, which was not implemented, Ömer Öcalan said, "The right to hope is not a favour. This is politically and legally unacceptable. There are hundreds of ill prisoners in prison. There are prisoners over 30 years in prison. It is necessary to see these. A condescending, marginalising language does not serve a solution. Everyone's solution-orientated speech paves the way for a positive process. This negative language must be abandoned. If there is a solution to this issue that has been going on for a hundred years, everyone wins."

 

Underlining that PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan's physical freedom must be ensured in order for him to contribute to the solution, Ömer Öcalan said, "Mr Öcalan has declared his will many times saying 'I want to solve this problem'. Mr Öcalan has been at the same point for a solution for 26 years. If you do not create the conditions and if you make a disruptive politics, you cannot contribute to the peace of this country. Mr Öcalan has said many times that the Democratic Nation is a suitable solution for this country. This needs to be taken into consideration."

 

'SOLUTION IS FOR EVERYONE'

 

Ömer Öcalan pointed out that the DEM Party İmralı Delegation visited many political parties after the first meeting on 28 December and said, "This is not an issue that concerns only the government, it concerns all parties. It is very important that Mr Öcalan pointed to the Parliament for a solution. All parties were visited and informed. In our meeting on 23 October, Mr Öcalan expressed his support for the CHP's slogan 'Democratic Republic'. We are also continuing our efforts for the Parliament to become an actor. This problem is not only a problem of Kurds or a certain group of people. We need to include everyone in the solution. Without nationalists, the solution will be weak. It will not work without the main opposition. If the government and the People's Alliance do not take the initiative, there will be no solution. He said, that Kurds have the right to talk and contact with everyone."

 

Ömer Öcalan underlined that the language used by the people representing the government in recent days regarding the talks does not contribute to the solution. "I hope the statements made by the government spokesperson (Ömer Çelik) are superficial statements. If they are serious in these statements, this would be a reductionist approach. We are facing a historical issue. It is a series of 200 years of problems, the Kurdish issue. I believe that if we eliminate the reasons that lead to the use of arms, if we insist on a realistic and correct solution, if Mr Öcalan's conditions are regulated, all the problmes experienced will be solved through democratic means" said Ömer Öcalan and added, "Everyone wants the blood to stop. However, Rojava is still being bombed. Civilians continue to be massacred at the Tishreen dam. The massacre of journalists, artists and politicians at the hands of gangs destroys the talks. If there is talk of a new process, the ground for it must be prepared. The laying down of arms can be resolved with a contact between Mr Öcalan and his organization. The reasons that give rise to armaments must be eliminated. If there is a new Constitution in which Kurdish identities are recognised, this will benefit everyone. The paradigm suitable for the spirit of the 21st century in the Middle East is Mr Öcalan's paradigm. In this paradigm there is solution and life. We want to strengthen this. The statements made harm this."

 

Ömer Öcalan reminded that the DEM Party had decided on "Social Peace and Freedom Meetings", which will start on 1 February, based on the messages from the talks with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan and said, "These meetings are important. This is an issue with heavy social aspect. If you are talking about peace and solution, it is necessary to socialise it. The things that have been discussed recently need to be consulted with the public. The public must take an active part in this process. We will be involved in this process from rallies to public meetings. We will discuss the socialisation of peace in detail. We will take the process with the people. A process in which the people are not involved cannot succeed. The support of the people is important at this point."

 

MA / Emrullah Acar