Leading political figures from Turkey’s pro-Kurdish movement have paid tribute to Sırrı Süreyya Önder, the late deputy speaker of parliament and a key figure in Turkey’s peace process, who died in İstanbul on 3 May following heart surgery.
Figen Yüksekdağ, a Turkish politician and former co-chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), described Önder as “a living part of our history”, recalling their shared political work both in parliament and during their time in prison. Yüksekdağ is currently imprisoned in Kandıra Prison in the western Turkish province of Kocaeli.
In a message published on the platform X, she stated: “We feel the deep sorrow of losing our dear Sırrı Süreyya Önder. There are people who, even while alive, belong to history. Önder is not just someone we have lost—he has become our living history.” She added that his joy, resilience and optimism had been embraced by millions, and urged supporters to honour his memory by realising the democratic values he stood for.
Ahmet Türk, the elected co-mayor of Mardin (Mêrdîn) who was later removed by a state-appointed trustee, also shared a message mourning Önder’s passing. Türk, a veteran Kurdish politician and İmralı Delegation member, wrote on the platform X that losing Önder was “a major loss”, and said he had devoted his life to “peace, brotherhood and everything that is good”.
“You are irreplaceable—we have not lost just one, but so many,” Türk wrote. “But I promise, until the day we reunite, I will continue on the path.”
Önder had served most recently as deputy speaker of parliament under the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, which succeeded the HDP following legal and political crackdowns. His death has prompted widespread tributes from activists, political leaders and former colleagues involved in Turkey’s halted efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish conflict.
