Thousands of demonstrators, organised by the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party and various Kurdish organisations, gathered for a large-scale rally in Turkey titled ‘Freedom for Peace’ demanding the release of imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and the recognition of Kurdish rights.
The rally took place today in Diyarbakır (Amed), ahead of the 26th anniversary of Öcalan’s abduction on 15 February. The event aimed to highlight Öcalan’s role in the Kurdish question and broader struggles for democracy in Turkey, amidst a new reconciliation process. Protesters carried Öcalan’s posters, chanted slogans for peace and justice, and displayed images of journalists killed in military attacks.
Since October 2024, reports suggest a quiet reconciliation process has been unfolding in Turkey. The government has facilitated visits to İmralı Island, where Öcalan is imprisoned, fuelling speculation that he may soon issue a call for peace. Öcalan’s nephew, Ömer Öcalan, was the first to visit in last October, followed two more visits in December and January by a DEM Party delegation including MPs Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Pervin Buldan. These meetings have intensified expectations for a significant statement on 15 February.
Despite these developments, public sentiment remains sceptical. The ruling AKP government continues repressive policies against the Kurdish opposition and broader democratic forces in Turkey, including political crackdowns, mass arrests, and restrictions on freedom of expression. Many within the Kurdish movement view the government’s peace rhetoric as contradictory, using it to maintain political control while systematically suppressing opposition.
The Kurdish movement sees 15 February as a potential turning point. A peace call from Öcalan could signal renewed negotiations between the Turkish state and the Kurdish political movement, reminiscent of the 2013–2015 peace process. However, the Turkish government’s response remains uncertain.
As demonstrations continue across Kurdish-majority cities, today’s rally in Diyarbakır has reinforced demands for peace, democracy, and the recognition of Kurdish rights, setting the stage for a crucial moment in Turkey’s political landscape.
