Following the meeting with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, the İmralı delegation read Öcalan's message in Istanbul. In his message, Öcalan called on the PKK to lay down its arms by opening the paths of democratic politics and Kurdish-Turkish brotherhood.

 

Commenting on PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan's call, human rights defender Akın Birdal said: "I think Öcalan has spoken his word. What is important here is to see what the state's word will be. Surely today is a historic day. It is a beginning. A road map must be drawn up immediately in the Turkish Grand National Assembly and civil soviety. Everyone should see the way ahead and the guns should be silenced. This must be the beginning of the construction of a society based on human rights, equal citizenship and freedom. As human rights defenders, we have been witnesses of this process for 40 years. The guns must now fall silent. The dialogue and negotiation process must be initiated and it must be sincere and reassuring. The state should take steps as soon as possible. As defenders of rights and peace, we will do our part. We are working for such a process in Istanbul and Izmir. It is painful to have come to this day. We are in a wounded geography. We all have to take responsibility to get rid of today."