Cengiz Çiçek, Abdullah Öcalan’s former lawyer and a member of the People’s Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party’s İmralı delegation, has spoken about his first meeting with the imprisoned Kurdish leader in 14 years. In an interview with Yeni Yaşam Gazetesi, Çiçek shared his observations on Öcalan’s physical and mental condition after years of near-total isolation, as well as his thoughts on the future of the Kurdish struggle, peace and women’s liberation.
The meeting, held on 27 February, was a rare opportunity to hear directly from Öcalan, who has been held in strict isolation in İmralı Prison for 26 years. Çiçek shared his concerns before the meeting, saying: “We hadn’t seen him for 14 years. We didn’t know what his condition would be. How would he be after such a long period of total isolation?” But his initial concerns were allayed when he saw Öcalan. “He had aged, but there was no sign of fatigue in his thoughts. His mind was as sharp as ever and his determination was clear.”
‘A disciplined thinker with unwavering determination’
Reflecting on Öcalan’s physical and mental state, Çiçek said: “Despite his long years of isolation, he remains incredibly disciplined. His ability to concentrate, his intellectual sharpness and his capacity to articulate his ideas have not diminished.” He recalled that Öcalan had in the past described himself as a ” refined factory”, explaining that he had developed an immense body of thought but was unable to share it with the outside world because of his imprisonment.
Describing the conversation, Çiçek said Öcalan did not dwell on the conditions of his imprisonment, but focused on the wider political situation and the future of the Kurdish question. “His mind is on society, on the struggle, on solutions. He sees his personal situation as secondary to the larger question of democracy, justice and peace.”
Öcalan’s latest call for peace: ‘A turning point’
Çiçek stressed the historical significance of Öcalan’s call on 27 February for the PKK to disarm and disband in search of a democratic solution. “This was not just another declaration. It was a strategic decision. It calls for a complete re-evaluation of the struggle and a shift to a new phase.” He noted that Öcalan’s words had to be understood in a wider historical and political context, adding: “This is not a move of retreat, but a move of transformation. It is about developing the Kurdish struggle into a form that can achieve lasting peace and democratic rights.”
Çiçek criticised the Turkish state’s continued policy of isolation, arguing that Öcalan’s political thought remains crucial to understanding the dynamics of peace and conflict in Turkey. “For years, the state has tried to silence him, but his ideas continue to shape political developments. Even in total isolation, his influence has not diminished.”
Öcalan’s ongoing reflections on women’s liberation
According to Çiçek, Öcalan remains deeply engaged in the issue of women’s freedom, which he describes as an unfinished project. “He told us: ‘The paradigm of women’s liberation is still incomplete. It is a project that has been left unfinished in recent years. I continue to think deeply about this. I am 75 years old, but I still deeply question what a truly free life means when it comes to women’s freedom.'”
Çiçek revealed that Öcalan has significant and striking new reflections on the subject, which he could not fully share in the interview, and hinted that women within the movement might be the first to hear them. “It is painful that he cannot put these ideas into writing under these conditions of isolation. At this stage of his life, he needs a secretariat to document his theoretical work.”
Öcalan’s perspective on women’s freedom is not separate from his broader political philosophy. Çiçek said: “His intellectual and theoretical contributions will influence not only women’s liberation but also socialism, social movements and thought for centuries to come. That is why intellectuals, thinkers and writers must contribute to this difficult peace process that we are trying to open.”
‘A leader shaped by resistance’
Asked about Öcalan’s personal reflections, Çiçek noted that he remains deeply engaged with philosophical, historical and political questions. “He does not see himself as a prisoner. He sees his role as part of a larger movement and historical process.” Çiçek described Öcalan as a leader whose strength comes from his intellectual depth and strategic foresight. “He does not operate from a place of nostalgia or sentimentality. He is always looking forward, always thinking about what comes next.”
Highlighting Öcalan’s perspective on resistance, Çiçek added: “He has always believed that resistance is not just about armed struggle. It is about ideas, about society, about changing consciousness. That is why he sees the future in democratic politics.”
The need for dialogue
Despite the significance of Öcalan’s call for peace, Çiçek expressed concern about the Turkish government’s unwillingness to engage in meaningful dialogue. “A ceasefire has been declared, but will the government use this as an opportunity for a real peace process? That remains uncertain.” He warned that ignoring Öcalan’s initiative would mean missing a historic opportunity.
Çiçek concluded the interview by reaffirming the importance of Öcalan’s political role. “Those who think his influence has weakened are wrong. If anything, his ideas are more relevant than ever. The question is whether the state will recognise this and take the necessary steps towards a democratic solution.”
