Gültan Kışanak, the former co-mayor of Diyarbakır (Amed) and ex-MP, made a significant statement on a television programme regarding Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). She remarked, “Maybe we can hear Öcalan’s voice next week, to coincide with the anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey on 29 October.”
Kışanak’s comments come in the wake of a controversial appeal from Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), who suggested that Öcalan could address the Turkish parliament and announce the dissolution of the PKK. She further stated:
“Everyone is raising their hands, and I am raising my hand with my own call. I believe we may hear Abdullah Öcalan’s voice on 29 October, the anniversary of the Republic of Turkey.”
Reflecting Kışanak’s optimistic perspective, Channel 8, based in Iraqi Kurdistan, noted that her statement coincides with Öcalan’s lawyers submitting a request to the Bursa Prosecutor’s Office and Imrali Prison Administration for a meeting with Öcalan and his associates, who have been denied visits for over 43 months.
Bahçeli’s recent comments suggest that Öcalan would only be permitted to address parliament if he advocates for the disarmament of the PKK. This call for dialogue follows a gesture of peace marked by a handshake between Bahçeli and members of the pro-Kurdish DEM Party, igniting further debate.
Gültan Kışanak, born in 1961, is a prominent Kurdish political leader in Turkey. She has been a member of parliament representing the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) and served as co-mayor of Diyarbakir. On 3 February 2019, a Turkish court sentenced Kışanak to 14 years and three months in prison for purported links to terrorist organisations and for disseminating terrorist propaganda. In 2021, she received the Clara Zetkin Award in acknowledgment of her dedication to democracy. She was released on 16 May 2024.
