On 28 December, Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder, representing the DEM Party, visited Abdullah Öcalan for the first time in nearly a decade. Öcalan, who has been held in isolation on the prison island of Imrali, conveyed a solution-oriented message that has sparked significant discussion. 

Direct negotiations are essential

Kurdish politician Ziya Pir said: "As someone who advocates for a dignified peace between Turks and Kurds, I consider Mr. Öcalan’s remarks to be of great importance."

Pir continued: "If the state and government remain committed to the new paradigm they support, a new phase will begin. For the Turkish people, the critical points of this process are an end to the armed conflict and the fear of territorial division. For the Kurdish side, it is the elimination of the fear that the achievements of the past 40 to 50 years will be lost."

Pir underlined that negotiations must occur directly, adding: "We know such processes are vulnerable to speculation, manipulation, and coercion. For this reason, the parties involved should engage directly, not through intermediaries or delegations. Mechanisms must be established to enable this. To mitigate the risks I have mentioned, the same conditions enjoyed by leaders like Mr. Erdoğan or Mr. Bahçeli should be created for Mr. Öcalan, allowing him to present his ideas directly to the public and his interlocutors."

Öcalan’s message eases political tensions

Academic Çetin Gürer said about the visit that, "as anticipated in statements made in early October, the first political-level meeting between Öcalan and a DEM Party delegation in nine years has taken place. The immediate public impact of this visit cannot be overstated." 

Gürer added: "First, it reaffirms the widespread belief that Öcalan’s perspectives can ease political tensions. This visit and Öcalan’s messages have already brought noticeable relief to the political climate. Conversations about the Kurdish question, peace, and a resolution have resumed, and some uncertainties have begun to dissipate. Given the current political climate, this is both meaningful and valuable."

Gürer stressed the need to end Öcalan’s isolation, and said: "Although the DEM Party delegation traveled to Imrali and held discussions with Öcalan, this does not mean that Imrali or Öcalan’s circumstances are now aligned with existing legal norms, nor does it mean that the isolation has been fully lifted. The full removal of isolation is a prerequisite for substantive peace and resolution talks. No matter how many solution-oriented statements the government may make, these will remain hollow as long as the isolation persists and Öcalan’s solution-oriented vision remains inaccessible to the public."

Öcalan must be able to lead the process under free conditions

Politician Nursel Aydoğan described the visit by the DEM Party delegation to Imrali as "historic," and added: "The last visit to Imrali by a delegation took place on 4 April 2015, during what we referred to as the peace process. That phase was later terminated by the government, which ushered in a new era rooted in destruction, annihilation, and suppression. 

Now, after nine years, two members of that delegation have once again traveled to Imrali, at a time when developments in Gaza, Syria and in the Middle East are having their greatest impact on Turkey. Upon their return, they shared the details of their meeting with the public."

Aydoğan said that Öcalan’s perspective is "hopeful" and added: "Mr. Öcalan, with his far-sighted vision and good intentions, has laid out a clear path for what needs to be done. His perspective inspires and strengthens hope. We align ourselves with this vision, saying that hope is more precious than victory."

Isolation is not over yet

Lawyer Rengin Ergül underlined that Öcalan’s isolation continues and added: "While the visit by the DEM Party delegation is undoubtedly a positive step, it does not mean the complete lifting of isolation. Family and lawyer visits are still not taking place on a regular basis. Therefore, we must acknowledge that the isolation remains in effect."

Ergül continued: "We must increase legal efforts to end Öcalan’s isolation, secure his physical freedom, and achieve the release of political prisoners.  It is also the duty of lawyers to document and fight against crimes against humanity in Rojava. This is our obligation in this process."