After Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan made his historic 'Call for Peace and a Democratic Society,' the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) held its 12th Congress, marking the end of its armed struggle and the beginning of a new path of resistance. This step has rekindled hopes for peace. Levent Tüzel, Deputy Chairperson of the Labour Party (EP), spoke to ANF about the sorrow felt by the comrades of Sırrı Süreyya Önder. A member of the Imralı Delegation from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Önder devoted years to the pursuit of peace, setting aside his deteriorating health, yet he passed away before witnessing the days he had long awaited.

Tüzel emphasized that beyond the agreements made between the state and the Kurdish movement, it is ultimately society that must embrace the peace Sırrı Süreyya devoted himself to with such great effort.

Sırrı was a wise man

Levent Tüzel, who shared a long history of political struggle alongside Sırrı Süreyya Önder, said he has not yet come to terms with such an early loss.

Tüzel described Önder as “a man who kept his anger veiled,” emphasizing that he was a wise figure who approached even his critics with empathy and warmth, and yet knew how to satirize bourgeois politicians with subtle wit. Through his humor, he was able to articulate the country’s problems and needs.

Tüzel noted that he and Önder worked together during the 2011 campaign of the Labour, Democracy and Freedom Bloc, in collaboration with the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) and other groups. He said: "We acted together both within our alliance and throughout the election process. At the time, we were working on the formation of the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) and the establishment of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), alongside Sırrı Süreyya Önder and a few other MPs. We joined hunger strikes together, traveled across cities together.” He recalled one particular episode: “During our Black Sea tour, we were targeted in a provocative attack in Sinop. Sebahat Tuncel and Ertuğrul Kürkçü were also part of the tour. We had held a meeting in Çorum before moving on to Sinop. While we were at the Education and Science Workers' Union (Eğitim-Sen) building in Sinop, fascist groups incited by provocation surrounded the building. Despite this attack, we continued our work and went on to Samsun and Ordu."

His revolutionary character led him to stand with the Kurdish people

Levent Tüzel emphasized that alongside Sırrı Süreyya Önder’s artistic and revolutionary identity, the political role he assumed after 2011 gave further strength to the struggle for peace. He recalled that during a time when dialogue with the state was being pursued, Önder took on highly significant responsibilities.

Tüzel noted that Önder made valuable contributions to the struggle for coexistence during the dialogue process, stating: "I was a witness to his unwavering commitment to building a democratic republic. Together, we were first elected as independent deputies under the Labour, Democracy and Freedom Bloc. After the founding of the HDP, we both became HDP MPs. Sırrı’s socialist ideas and revolutionary character led him to stand with the Kurdish people, to support their quest for freedom, and to take on the role expected of him in peace efforts without hesitation. Both during that period and later as a member of the Imralı Delegation once again, he was a strong pillar in the effort to build a democratic society and to embed peace within society."

He entrusted the legacy of peace to all of us

Levent Tüzel stated that the public’s reaction during Sırrı’s 18-day stay in the hospital revealed a collective yearning for peace and showed that the people truly desired it. He emphasized that this expectation and desire can no longer be reversed.

Tüzel stressed that this early loss places a responsibility on everyone. He underlined once again that beyond any agreements made between the state and the Kurdish movement, it is society itself that must take ownership of peace.

Tüzel said: "We all owe Sırrı gratitude for his pursuit of honorable peace in this country. In the end, it will be the workers in the streets, the students in universities, the women struggling to survive in their homes and workplaces who will carry on his legacy. That is why peace must remain a force in the hands of the people. Sırrı has entrusted the legacy of peace to all of us. It is our duty to fulfill that legacy and carry the struggle forward."