Selahattin Demirtaş, former co-chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and in detention since 2016, has expressed strong support for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) following its recent declaration to disband its organisational structure and officially end its armed struggle. The message was shared by the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party after its İmralı Delegation member, Pervin Buldan, visited Demirtaş in Edirne F-Type Prison.
DEM Parti İmralı Heyeti üyesi Pervin Buldan, Edirne Cezaevi’nde Selahattin Demirtaş’ı ziyaret etti. Demirtaş, şu mesajı paylaştı 👇 pic.twitter.com/vSfR7dD3iK
— DEM Parti (@DEMGenelMerkezi) May 12, 2025
Demirtaş described the move as a “historic step”, closely tied to the memory of the late Sırrı Süreyya Önder, a prominent figure in both cultural and peace-building spheres. Önder was a former MP, film-maker, and key actor in the peace process between the Turkish state and Kurdish movement, playing a central role in past negotiations for a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue in Turkey.
“Together with the sorrow of Mr Önder’s passing, we also hold the hope carried by these new steps for peace,” said Demirtaş. He extended his thanks to a range of political actors, including PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel, and the DEM Party leadership. He named Ahmet Türk and Pervin Buldan specifically for their continued engagement.
Demirtaş stressed that the shift must serve as a catalyst for broader social and political transformation.
“We enthusiastically embrace this decision as one that honours Mr Önder’s legacy. This is a moment to commit ourselves—genuinely and collectively—to the goals of peace, democracy, freedom, and prosperity. Only through such efforts can Turkey realise its full potential.”
The PKK’s 12th Congress took place in early May in the Medya Defence Zones, a mountainous border region in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. At the congress, the organisation formally ended its armed strategy and signalled a shift towards pursuing its objectives through democratic and peaceful means. On 12 May, they announced the official declaration of the congress, along with footage, for the attention of public audiences.
