Following his family visit to imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party MP Ömer Öcalan spoke to Yeni Yaşam newspaper, stressing that Öcalan remains hopeful about a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue in Turkey. However, he cautioned that the Turkish state must be approached warily, as previous peace efforts, like those in 1993, were derailed by violent disruptions, including the suspicious death of then-President Turgut Özal.
Addressing Kurdish concerns about the current peace process, Abdullah Öcalan validated the public’s security doubts, noting they were justified. He referenced the 1993 peace attempt, which ended abruptly with Özal’s death, widely regarded as suspicious by many, including his family. Reports from 2012, when Özal’s body was exhumed, suggested high levels of poison.
Öcalan emphasised, “Those who do this to their own man [Özal] will not hesitate to do worse to you. You are not living in a Swiss democracy, and the DEM Party must recognise this reality,” urging caution and preparedness.
Ömer Öcalan shared that he conveyed concerns from Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) members, broadcast on television, about the lack of security guarantees for a proposed congress to discuss PKK dissolution and disarmament. Abdullah Öcalan agreed, stating that no safety assurances currently exist for such a gathering and that everyone must ensure their own security in the Middle East’s volatile context.
Abdullah Öcalan strongly condemned the recent massacres of Alawites in Syria’s coastal regions, describing them as brutal acts akin to the Islamic State (ISIS) methods. He warned Syrian Kurds to take precautions, saying they could face “far worse—ten times the violence inflicted on the Alawites”. He advised strengthening diplomatic ties to secure their safety and suggested that Kurds, Alawites and Druze coordinate systems to protect themselves.
During the meeting, Abdullah Öcalan underscored the importance of democratic politics, Ömer Öcalan said. Commenting on the recent arrest of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Öcalan stated that building a democratic Turkish Republic would benefit all, including İmamoğlu’s Republican People’s Party (CHP), by fostering a stronger democratic foundation.
Ömer Öcalan also discussed the media coverage of Abdullah Öcalan’s “Call for Peace and a Democratic Society” on 27 February, informing him that it was widely broadcast by international and Kurdish media, with live screenings across Kurdistan. Abdullah Öcalan expressed satisfaction and sent greetings to Kurdish media outlets, particularly Stêrk TV and Medya Haber, wishing them success.
Öcalan invited experienced journalists, including Hasan Cemal and Cengiz Çandar, to visit İmralı Island. Ömer Öcalan stressed that his uncle should have access to people from all societal segments and that conditions at İmralı must improve to enable freer communication and work.
Ömer Öcalan asked about the media Abdullah Öcalan could access in prison. He replied that he watches Turkish channels like Halk TV, Tele 1 and NOW, and reads Democratic Modernity magazine and select issues of Jineolojî magazine.
