The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party delegation has left for İmralı Island Prison to meet with imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. The meeting, the third visit by the delegation, is expected to result in a historic announcement with significant political implications.
The delegation consists of Ahmet Türk, Pervin Buldan, Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Tülay Hatimoğulları, Tuncer Bakırhan, Cengiz Çiçek and Faik Özgür Erol. After their meeting, they will hold a press conference to inform the public about Öcalan’s expected statement.
The press conference is scheduled for 27 February at 17:00 TRT in Istanbul, where the delegation is expected to deliver Öcalan’s message. In response to the overwhelming public interest, the statement will be broadcast live on giant screens in Amed (Diyarbakır) and Wan (Van), with thousands of people expected to gather in both cities. The main event in Amed will take place at Şêx Seîd/Dağ Kapı Square, while in Wan, giant screens will be set up in the town square.
Political representatives of the DEM Party, the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) and the Free Women’s Movement (TJA) have urged mass participation and called on people to join these public meetings in solidarity.
Öcalan has been held in strict isolation in İmralı Prison since 1999, with no legal or family visits allowed since 2021, until recent political developments facilitated renewed contact. The resumption of limited communication has raised hopes of a possible breakthrough, especially as the Turkish government has allowed a number of delegation visits.
The latest wave of political engagement follows an unexpected gesture by Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the ultra-nationalist Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and a key coalition partner of the Turkish government. Bahçeli’s symbolic handshake with DEM Party deputies in October was followed by his public call for Öcalan to make a statement, signalling a possible shift in the political approach to Kurdish issues.
Öcalan’s expected statement is expected to have far-reaching implications, and both the government and the opposition are closely monitoring developments. The unfolding situation is seen as a potential turning point in Turkey’s approach to the Kurdish question and wider democratic reforms.
The press conference in Istanbul and the public meetings in Amed and Wan are expected to be major political events, marking a crucial moment in Turkey’s Kurdish political discourse.
