Journalist Hande Fırat, a close ally of the Turkish government, has claimed that Ömer Öcalan, the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party MP, has been granted permission to visit his uncle, Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has been imprisoned on İmralı Island for over 25 years. Ömer Öcalan previously criticised the Turkish government for not allowing family visits, stating, “The long-standing isolation has no legal basis.” While no official statement has been made, Fırat shared on social media platform X that the visit is expected soon.
Fırat’s X post read: “The visit application was submitted long ago by Ömer Öcalan. There is no official statement yet, but it seems permission has been granted. The visit is expected to happen shortly.”
This revelation has fuelled political debate, following a controversial proposal made by Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), that Abdullah Öcalan should publicly dissolve the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in parliament. Bahçeli’s handshake with DEM Party members at the opening of parliament signalled a shift in the political atmosphere surrounding the Kurdish question. DEM Party co-chair Tülay Hatimoğulları called for an immediate end to Öcalan’s isolation, stating, “His isolation must be lifted so we can listen to him.”
In addition to Fırat’s claim, Sinan Burhan, a former Justice and Development Party (AKP) member turned journalist, echoed the statement on social media, suggesting that permission for the visit had likely been approved, with the meeting imminent.
This development follows a column by Abdulkadir Selvi, a journalist known for his close ties to the government. On 17 October, Selvi reported that Ömer Öcalan’s request to visit his uncle was under review by the government. “The decision is pending, but it’s possible permission will be granted,” Selvi wrote, leaving room for speculation as political dynamics evolve.
Meanwhile, Helin Ümit, a member of the Central Committee of the PKK, criticised Bahçeli’s handshake with DEM deputies during a recent appearance on Medya Haber on Tuesday. She warned that it would be a mistake to expect a positive outcome from this initiative, stressing that the situation remains abnormal.
Similarly, the People’s Congress of Kurdistan or Kongra-Gel co-chair Remzi Kartal expressed concerns over AKP-MHP statements, calling them part of a “dangerous plan”. Kartal stated, “Unless there is a direct meeting with leader Apo and his voice is heard, unilateral statements have no value.”
Abdullah Öcalan’s isolation, which escalated to total incommunicado detention in 2021, has been condemned by human rights advocates. His family and legal team have been denied access, with the authorities citing vague “disciplinary penalties” to justify the ban. Despite numerous legal appeals to the Turkish Justice Ministry and international organisations like the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), no progress has been made in ending his isolation. Supporters of Öcalan view his treatment as a violation of fundamental rights, further galvanising the Kurdish movement.
As political discourse intensifies, Kurdish politicians have underscored that lifting Öcalan’s isolation is essential for any meaningful engagement, calling on the Turkish state to take immediate action to facilitate genuine dialogue on the Kurdish question.
