Discussions on the democratic solution of the Kurdish issue continue. The Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) İmralı Delegation held two separate meetings on 28 December 2024 and 22 January 2025 with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, who is held under isolation in İmralı Type F High Security Prison. After the first meeting, Abdullah Öcalan's solution declaration was shared with the public. Abdullah Öcalan drew attention to the role of the Parliament and opposition parties in the declaration.

 

In 2018, an indefinite hunger strike was launched under the leadership of then Democratic Society Congress (DTK) Co-Chair Leyla Güven to end the isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. Nasır Yağız, a politician who went on hunger strike for 6 months in Hewlêr (Erbil) in the Federated Kurdistan Region, evaluates the "process" initiated by Abdullah Öcalan

 

Stating that the government's policy of insisting on the lack of a solution has not yielded any results, Yağız said, "The hunger strike actions that started in prisons at that time and spread everywhere had yielded results and communication with Mr Abdullah Öcalan could be established. Afterwards, we decided to end our action with the call of Mr Abdullah Öcalan. However, after this action, the isolation, which is also a part of the collapse plan, did not end and continued. During the 5-year period, we have been in a very intense struggle as a people. Our friends were unjustly arrested. But we did not step back from the resistance and our struggle continued. Protests were launched in many centres. The state, stuck in these actions and activities, found the solution to go to Mr Öcalan. We believe in Mr Abdullah Öcalan and we are hopeful. This process will turn into an honourable negotiation."

 

Stating that the ongoing isolation of Abdullah Öcalan has an impact on the developments in the Middle East, Yağız underlined that the talks were realised with the resistance. Yağız said, "The ongoing isolation of Leader Öcalan affects the developments in Kurdistan and the Middle East. The dominant powers here are aware of his power and position. Today, the political balance that has been re-established and the struggle that is being waged have imposed on the ruling powers the necessity of sitting at the table and negotiating with Mr Öcalan. The realisation of Mr Öcalan's paradigm in Rojava and the establishment of a new perspective of life and governance have also been effective in the start of this process. We can say that the isolation is on the verge of breaking as a result of these resistances."

 

Noting that the Kurdish people stand by Abdullah Öcalan under all circumstances and conditions. Noting that it would be important for every Kurdish patriot to participate in this process, Yağız added, "It is very clear that the process to be initiated by Mr Öcalan will bring new dynamics. This process will cover a long period. All our forces, our party and NGOs should fulfil their duties in this process, contribute to the process initiated by Mr Öcalan and stand behind him. We need to make the necessary efforts to ensure that the Kurdish identity is constitutionally guaranteed and the right to education in the mother tongue is given constitutional status. Every Kurd should be aware of the burden that falls on him in this process and develop his struggle on this basis."

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut