Speaking to ANF, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Amed Provincial Co-Chair Sultan Yaray stated that the ongoing imprisonment of Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan is an obstacle to a lasting peace.

Sultan Yaray said, “It  is not possible to say that the isolation of Mr. Öcalan has been lifted. The state knows very well that Mr. Öcalan is not just a person but the leader of a people. That is why they keep Mr. Öcalan, who leads the will of millions, under isolation. They want to silence the voice of the Kurdish people in the person of Mr. Öcalan by subjecting him to aggravated isolation.”

The Kurdish politician continued: “The Kurdish people demand Mr. Öcalan's physical freedom, they want to hear his ideas lively. If the government does this, there will be an atmosphere of trust. The interlocutor for honorable peace is Mr. Öcalan himself. If the requirements of the law are fulfilled and the isolation is lifted, it will be a great source of morale and motivation for the people. If isolation is lifted, the people’s confidence in peace will increase even more. As the isolation continues, so do the attacks on Rojava. If they want the talks for peace to have a positive outcome, they should stop attacking the Kurds. As long as the isolation continues, it is not possible to talk about peace.”

Sultan Yaray concluded: “Mr. Öcalan is the address for peace and a solution. It is impossible to achieve peace and a solution without Mr. Öcalan. Talks for peace must be conducted in consideration of this truth. The AKP-MHP government must abandon the enemy language. Mr. Öcalan has been waging a great struggle for an honorable peace despite the fact that he has been kept under isolation in prison for many years. There must be a solution on the basis of brotherhood.”