Abdullah Öcalan and the other prisoners in Imralı, Ömer Hayri Konar, Hamili Yıldırım, Veysi Aktaş, Zeki Bayhan, Mahmut Yamalak, and Ergin Atabey, met with their families on 7 June for Eid al-Adha.

In this meeting, Öcalan met children for the first time in 26 years. Among those present were Ali Öcalan, the son of Fatma Öcalan (one of his siblings), and DEM Party MP for Urfa, Ömer Öcalan. Ali Öcalan’s two children also attended the visit.

MP Ömer Öcalan spoke to Mezopotamya Agency (MA) about the visit.

Who did he ask about and send greetings to?

Ömer Öcalan said they had a lengthy discussion and touched on many topics: "In the first 15-20 minutes, the Leader (Öcalan) talked about the village and family. He asked about some family members and sent them greetings. We then shared information on various topics, including our observations from the cities we visited. We talked about memorials and visits held for Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun, and gave him greetings from their families. Leader Öcalan inquired about the families and sent them greetings. We told him we had visited Mazlum Doğan’s family and passed along their regards. Leader Öcalan also sent his greetings to Doğan’s family and spoke about Mazlum and Delil Doğan. He asked about the location of their graves.

We told him they were buried side by side. He said, ‘We will keep alive the legacy and struggle they left us. We are committed to all our martyrs.’ He also sent his regards to Ferhat Kurtay’s family and talked about his four comrades (Ferhat Kurtay, Eşref Anyık, Mahmut Zengin, and Necmi Öner) who set themselves on fire in resistance at Amed Prison. He asked where Kurtay’s grave is and sent greetings to his family. He also sent greetings to the family of Ali Çiçek and asked where he is buried. He inquired about those who were martyred in Amed prison. He spoke about Xurs village in Qoser, Mêrdîn, and recounted some events that occurred there."

Ömer Öcalan noted that they conveyed greetings from people who had been released after 30 years in prison, and added: "Leader Öcalan said, ‘Those who spent 30 years in prison must now take the lead for the people. No matter where they are, they must guide society and play their role and mission strongly.’ He sent greetings to all who were released after 30 years, and also to the families of martyrs."

‘Our paradigm should be shared with students’

The DEM Party MP said: "We talked about Kobanê University. Before the visit, there was an online panel by the university, and I attended it. Academics and students sent greetings to Leader Öcalan, which I passed on. He asked, ‘Is there a university in Kobanê? How many students?’ I told him it’s a well-established university with over 1,500 students. He said, ‘Those teaching should educate in line with democratic modernity. Capitalist modernity should not influence education. The educators should be influenced by our thinking and share our paradigm with the students. That way, it will be more effective. I value education highly. Here, we constantly read and hold discussions.’”

‘Diplomatic efforts for a democratic syria should accelerate’

Ömer Öcalan relayed Leader Apo’s views on talks between the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the transitional Syrian government: "An eight-point agreement was signed between SDF and HTŞ. He said these talks should be sped up. ‘From what I see and follow, the discussions between the Kurds and the Damascus government are progressing slowly. They should be accelerated. In the future, Syria may have two governments. For us, it’s important that a strong Syria is built on democratic rights. Diplomatic efforts toward a democratic Syria should intensify. Damascus represents religious fundamentalism on the one hand. Raqqa is the center of democratization. Unity under the umbrella of democracy should be prioritized. Work in Rojava must be accelerated. Sluggish diplomacy benefits no one.’ He spoke about threats against Kurds. He analyzed the situation of Kurds in Rojava and said, ‘If there is a threat, one must be careful against it.’"

Strengthening DEM Party presence everywhere

Ömer Öcalan said they also discussed the status of the DEM Party: "Democratic politics is opening up for the DEM Party. It must hold conferences and meetings everywhere. Those who speak at these events should understand and interpret our paradigm well. There should be mutual dialogue with the public. DEM Party’s vote share must also increase in the Black Sea region.

There are many opportunities for the DEM Party to pursue inclusive politics. It should tap into its potential in the Black Sea, Mediterranean, and Central Anatolia. There’s an economic crisis and poverty throughout Turkey. We have worker comrades in many cities. The DEM Party must work on this. There’s a crisis, a poor economy, and deep poverty. Workers can no longer get by. DEM Party must focus on these issues and strengthen its presence everywhere."

‘If you reach 20%, you will be the ruling force’

Ömer Öcalan continued: "Leader Öcalan said everything needs renewal. While analyzing 52 years of history, he also spoke of new politics and a new model of life. Leader Öcalan shared his thoughts on these matters. ‘We have some friends from the Black Sea within the DEM Party. They should initiate work there. The DEM Party should have activities in every metropolitan area of Turkey. If the DEM Party reaches 20% in votes, it will be the ruling power in this country. It can change many things. It will become part of the ruling bloc. To do that, you must turn your potential into votes. With democratic politics, the DEM Party can surpass 20%. Then it can play a more active role in Middle Eastern politics.’ Leader Öcalan analyzes the DEM Party. He believes ineffective diplomatic efforts should be abandoned. There is no room for repetition in politics. Politics requires change and transformation — both in the party and among politicians."

‘Open to constructive criticism’

Ömer Öcalan said Leader Apo was in high spirits and emphasized many issues during the meeting: "I asked about the report he sent to the PKK’s 12th Congress. He addressed the sensitivities and criticisms of Alevis, saying: ‘We also work here for Alevism. We follow a correct Alevism. There are Alevi friends here. Hamili Yıldırım is from Dersim and knows Alevism well. We interpret everything in depth. I respect Seyit Rıza’s stance and struggle. Many Kurdish uprisings have happened in history; I value their efforts and struggles. At the same time, we must analyze what happened and the results with courage. This applies to Sheikh Said as well. We are open to constructive criticism,’ he said. He stressed the importance of understanding what happened, so we can learn why those efforts didn’t succeed."

‘Shengal must have a status’

The topic of Yazidis was also discussed. "We conveyed greetings from Yazidis and their population numbers. Leader Öcalan sent them his greetings. He said Shengal should be free, not affiliated with either the central government or any local party. It must have a status. Yazidis should organize themselves and make decisions for themselves."

Everyone should act with discipline

Ömer Öcalan commented on the fact that Leader Apo met children for the first time in 26 years: "My aunt’s grandchildren came with us. Leader Öcalan told the children, ‘Be strong and determined.’ They were a bit tired when we arrived. He observed them closely, asked about their education, and discussed their development. ‘Everyone should be disciplined and take care of their health. Don’t gain weight,’ he said. He’s critical of overweight people and smokers, warning them. He also asked about us. ‘Everyone should act as a soldier does in the army. That’s reality. Everyone must live with discipline,’ he said. We met Ömer Hayri Konar and Hamili Yıldırım for the first time. We hugged and they asked about the outside world. I told them people are watching them closely. They said, ‘And we are watching the outside. We must work and give effort.’ Like Leader Öcalan, they were in good spirits and closely follow what’s happening outside."

The state should play its role

The DEM Party MP concluded by stating that the state must act on the public’s expectations: "Some things must be accelerated, in Syria, Rojava, and Turkey. The state must play its role. Society has certain expectations and needs. The state should act accordingly. We need peace and democracy. The war has lasted 41 years and has brought us here. There must now be transformation and renewal in every field. Leader Öcalan emphasizes this as well. We are in high spirits. On this occasion, I convey Leader Öcalan’s greetings to all the families of martyrs and the people."

Israel - Iran war will affect Kurdistan

Referring to the mutual attacks between Israel and Iran, Ömer Öcalan said that Abdullah Öcalan had issued earlier warnings: "When we held the meeting, the Israel-Iran conflict hadn’t escalated yet. But in our first meeting, Leader Öcalan spoke of Syria, Iraq, and Iran. Six months have passed. He had said intervention in Iran wouldn’t last long. ‘Right now Gaza exists, but if the war continues and democracy isn’t established, there will be 50 Gazas. Every city could become Gaza,’ he said.

When we reflect on what he said six months ago, we understand today’s situation better. Without a free life and democratic system in the Middle East, chaos and war will deepen. All of humanity is in danger. The existing problems must be solved through dialogue. Iran’s regime is a system against its society. If a society doesn’t solve its own problems, it invites foreign intervention. All Middle Eastern problems can be solved through dialogue on democratic grounds. Middle Eastern states suffer from denial, assimilation, massacres, genocide, religious extremism, and mutual rejection. To resolve these problems, there must be mutual recognition, democracy, equality, and freedom. That would remove the causes of war.

The Iranian regime gives no room for life to its people. There is oppression against women, Kurds, and minorities. This deepens chaos in the Middle East. The Israel–Iran war will affect Kurdistan. Our party issued a statement emphasizing dialogue. Dialogue means democracy. All peoples have the right to live in the Middle East. Kurds want a new life. All states must reform themselves in accordance with the 21st century. In war, society is crushed and civilians are killed. Everyone pays the price. As Kurds, we must unite against these events. We must strengthen our self-defense in unity."