🎥📹🎙️ Exclusive Podcast Alert! Declan Kearney, National Chairperson for Sinn Féin, draws powerful parallels between Ireland’s fight for freedom and the Kurdish quest for justice. Watch and listen to the full interview now!
🎙️ @eremkansoy | @DeclanKearneySF #IrishStruggle… pic.twitter.com/GPgOAJ7Khr
— MedyaNews (@medyanews_) February 25, 2025
In an exclusive interview for the Political Dialogue with Erem Kansoy podcast at Medya News, Declan Kearney—National Chairperson for Sinn Féin, and politician in Northern Ireland—offered a candid discussion on the historical struggle for Irish self-determination and drew compelling parallels with the Kurdish quest for freedom. Amid growing speculation that the Turkish state may soon open a new reconciliation process—potentially paving the way for peace talks with imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan—Kearney’s insights shed light on the universal challenges of negotiating peace amid long-standing conflicts.
During the interview, Kearney recounted Sinn Féin’s arduous journey from colonial oppression and the partition of Ireland to the eventual Good Friday Agreement, which remains a testament to the power of inclusive, sustained negotiations. He emphasised that the Irish peace process, though not without its hurdles—including the disruptive impacts of Brexit—offers transferable lessons for other regions in conflict. Kearney pointed out that the fundamental principles of peace building, such as having all parties at the negotiating table without preconditions and acting in good faith, are critical whether in Ireland or Kurdistan.
Addressing the controversial issue of Öcalan’s isolation, Kearney asserted that it is essential for him to be included in any future peace talks. He argued that genuine reconciliation requires not only the removal of legal and physical barriers but also the active participation of all stakeholders in shaping a democratic future. Kearney also highlighted the role of international actors, noting that while the British state and the European Union have complex positions, the overarching aim must be to support an equitable, peaceful resolution based on the rights of all involved.
Below is the full transcript of this compelling interview. It is also available as an audio format on all Medya News podcast platforms and available to watch on the Medya News YouTube Channel.
Erem Kansoy:
Declan Kearney, National Chairperson for Sinn Féin Ireland. Thanks for joining us today.
Declan Kearney:
You’re very welcome. It’s a pleasure to be here.
First of all, can you give us a very brief history and struggle of Sinn Féin?
Yes, the Sinn Féin party is committed to the reunification of Ireland and the achievement of national democracy and self-determination. In the course of recent decades, Ireland has experienced an intense conflict—a legacy of colonial oppression that has plagued our society for centuries. In 1921, the island was partitioned by the British state, leading to the creation of a northern state marked by sectarian discrimination, inequality, and brutal repression. Over time, despite numerous attempts to reform the status quo peacefully, a military insurgency ensued until the Irish peace process culminated in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. This historic agreement includes a provision for national self-determination—a chance for the Irish people to finally decide their own destiny. Today, Sinn Féin is the largest party in Ireland and leads the opposition in the Dublin parliament while playing a key role in power-sharing in the six northern counties. Our momentum for reunification has never been stronger, with a concrete political objective to hold a self-determination referendum before the end of this decade.
Thank you, dear Declan. That brief history sheds significant light on Sinn Féin’s journey. Secondly, given that the Kurds have long admired the Irish struggle for freedom, what are the similarities between these two communities?
The parallels between Ireland and Kurdistan stem from a shared history of colonisation and imperial oppression. Like the Irish, the Kurdish people have experienced foreign domination and continue to fight for national independence. Both struggles have involved bloody conflicts and painstaking peace-building efforts through sustained negotiations. While Ireland eventually reached a peace settlement with the Good Friday Agreement, the Kurdish struggle remains in need of a similar inclusive and comprehensive approach to achieve lasting self-determination.
In light of your experience in Ireland, what are your suggestions for a peaceful solution to the problem in Kurdistan?
While no two struggles are identical, there are universal principles in building peace. The cornerstone is that all parties must come to the negotiating table without preconditions, ensuring full inclusion and participation in good faith. Decisions made must be honoured and implemented without backtracking. Such principles are as applicable to Ireland as they are to Kurdistan and can help pave the way toward comprehensive peace negotiations.
How is it going to work when it comes to Abdullah Öcalan? Does he have the right to be free, speak openly, and take his place at the negotiations table?
It is absolutely essential for Öcalan to be included in any future peace talks. Recent positive indicators—such as his meeting with family members and political delegations—suggest a possible shift. However, the full removal of his isolation remains crucial. For a genuine peace process to unfold, not only must Öcalan be released, but a conducive political environment must be established where all stakeholders can engage openly and constructively.
Moving on, what role does the UK political system play in the conflicts in the Middle East and in the Kurdish question?
Britain indeed has a role, particularly given its historical involvement in both Irish and broader regional conflicts. However, the core negotiation must be between the representatives of the Kurdish people and the Turkish government. If international actors, including the UK, are to participate, it must be on a neutral, mandated basis that respects the principle of good faith.
What permanent problems did the British face during the Irish peace negotiations, and what would you recommend for future dialogues?
The British government initially had to be convinced of the need for a peace settlement in Ireland—a significant political hurdle. Success came through active international engagement, particularly from the Irish-American diaspora and successive US administrations. For any future dialogue, including in Kurdistan, it is crucial to ensure that all relevant parties are at the table, that negotiations are conducted without preconditions, and that decisions are implemented in good faith.
Regarding Europe, why does the European Union seem to take a cold approach to a peaceful solution for the Kurdish issue, and what is your assessment?
The European Union has played a positive role in the Irish peace process, yet its approach to Kurdish self-determination is more complex. This stems largely from geopolitical alliances and competing economic and security interests within the EU. It is vital for European actors to engage constructively, ensuring that international humanitarian law and the rights of the Kurdish people are upheld.
Now, turning to the message from Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan—he stated that if the ground is prepared, he has the power to bring conflict to the peaceful negotiations table. How do you evaluate this message, and what does it say about his commitment to peace?
Öcalan’s declaration for peace is not new; he has consistently signalled his willingness to engage in dialogue over the past 15 to 20 years. His recent message reaffirms that for any sustainable peace process, his inclusion is non-negotiable. It underscores his critical role in moving towards comprehensive political talks and eventual conflict resolution.
Finally, while Öcalan remains isolated and deprived of legal or family contact, how can peace be achieved? What steps must be taken to break his isolation and establish a healthy negotiation table?
My appeal is straightforward: the Turkish government must seize the opportunity for peace by incrementally removing the barriers isolating Öcalan. Just as in Ireland, where peace emerged gradually, Turkey must take decisive steps—including Öcalan’s release—to pave the way for inclusive and effective negotiations that can end long-standing conflict and ensure national self-determination for the Kurdish people.
As we come to the end of our programme, is there anything you’d like to add?
The journey to peace is undeniably complex, especially given the deep wounds inflicted by prolonged oppression. Despite the understandable mistrust, former adversaries must come together with a spirit of inclusion and mutual respect. Only by ensuring that every issue is openly discussed, without any preconditions, can we build a future based on justice, democracy, and lasting peace.
