Gerry Adams, who served as president of Sinn Féin from 1983 to 2018 and played a key role in the peace process in Northern Ireland, particularly in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, has sent a message of support for the process initiated in Turkey following Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s February 27 ‘Call for Peace and Democratic Society’ and the PKK's congress decisions to disband and disarm.

In his video message, Adams said the following:

“Dia daoibh a chairde (Hello, friends)

It’s Gerry Adams here.

For too long, the people of the Middle East have been denied their basic human rights, including the fundamental right of all people to national self-determination.

The 27th February statement by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan – calling for ‘peace and a democratic society’ – was a significant moment.  

Sinn Féin supports the development of a Kurdish-Turkish peace process based on the principles of inclusivity, dialogue, mutual respect, justice and equality.

Myself and Sinn Féin National Chairperson, Declan Kearney MLA, signed a joint statement by other leaders in support of Abdullah’s call for peace.

It is imperative that any peace process between the government of Turkey and Kurdish political representatives involves all sides.

Dialogue is essential.

Above all, Sinn Féin believes that Abdullah should be released from prison – his freedom is fundamental to the achievement of an inclusive process leading to a political agreement.

At the same time, we will continue to support efforts to achieve wider peace in the Middle East.

We want to see an end to the Israeli state’s persecution of the people of Palestine.

Go raibh míle maith agat (Thank you very much).”