ERBIL — The Imrali delegation, comprising Sirri Sureyya Onder and Pervin Buldan, released a statement on Thursday following their second meeting with Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
The delegation emphasized Ocalan’s continued commitment to contributing to the ongoing political process and expressed optimism about future developments.
They reported discussing their engagements with various political parties, affirming that their work will continue and the public will be kept informed. They also encouraged political parties to actively participate in the evolving dialogue. Ocalan conveyed his condolences to the families affected by the recent fire in Bolu province and wished a swift recovery for the injured.
This meeting follows a call by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli for renewed dialogue between the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and Ocalan. During a previous three-and-a-half-hour meeting on December 28, Ocalan presented a seven-point message, underscoring the importance of parliament in resolving the Kurdish issue. He also expressed readiness to engage in a new initiative proposed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Bahçeli.
The renewed dialogue reflects shifting political dynamics in Turkey. On October 1, 2024, Bahçeli signaled a change by shaking hands with DEM Co-Chairman Tuncer Bakirhan in parliament. Later, on October 22, he called for Ocalan to enter parliament, dissolve the PKK, and exercise his “right to hope,” a legal pathway for prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment to seek conditional release.
Following these developments, Omar Ocalan, Abdullah Ocalan’s nephew and a DEM MP, visited Imrali to discuss the evolving situation. During the meeting, Ocalan reiterated his willingness and capacity to transition from conflict to legal and political engagement, provided the necessary conditions are established.
Efforts to engage Ocalan in dialogue have gained momentum since November 2024, when Bahçeli first advocated for DEM Party representatives to meet with him. The Turkish Justice Ministry approved these visits, signaling an institutional shift toward resolving long-standing issues through dialogue.
The ongoing discussions highlight a significant moment in Turkey’s approach to the Kurdish case. Ocalan’s involvement in this process is seen as pivotal, with the potential to transform the political landscape and address decades-long conflicts. As the situation develops, attention remains focused on the collaboration between political leaders and Ocalan’s role in shaping a new political phase.