Pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan has renewed calls for an end to the isolation of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, stressing that lasting peace and democratic reforms in Turkey depend on Öcalan’s ability to communicate freely.
Speaking at the party’s headquarters, Doğan refuted claims by ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesman Ömer Çelik that “Imralı traffic has ended”. She stressed that Öcalan’s contact with legal advisers, family members, DEM Party delegations and other social representatives is crucial for a genuine peace process. “The dialogue on Imralı Island should be transparent and ongoing, as it has the potential to transform a decades-long conflict into a democratic solution.”
"The visits must continue and the strict isolation imposed on Abdullah Öcalan must be lifted."
At the heart of Doğan’s message was a broader call for deep democratic reform. She called on Turkey’s parliament to form a special commission empowered to find a lasting solution to the 50-year conflict. “We need to move beyond ad hoc measures and security-oriented policies,” she said. “Establishing a framework that legally guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms is the only way to create lasting stability.”
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Ayşegül Doğan: Mecliste, çatışmasızlığı kalıcı hale getirebilecek, silahtan ve şiddetten arındırılmış demokratik yol ve yöntemlerin önünü açabilecek bir komisyon kurulsun. Sayın Öcalan’ın koşulları değiştirilsin, eşit bir düzlem yaratılsın. pic.twitter.com/EW9GMs4hlf
— DEM Parti (@DEMGenelMerkezi) January 30, 2025
Regarding the government’s practice of appointing trustees (kayyım) to municipalities, Doğan criticised the decision to replace elected officials in Sêrt. She argued that legal procedures had been rushed through to justify the imposition of a kayyım:
“They don’t appoint a trustee because someone has been convicted; they issue a verdict in order to appoint a trustee,” she said, adding that these steps undermine local democracy and fuel public anger.
Concluding her remarks, Doğan stressed that Ocalan’s involvement in peace efforts should not be dismissed:
"All sides claim to want an end to violence, but this cannot happen if the main actor for peace is silenced. Abdullah Öcalan's ability to call for a cessation of arms depends on meaningful access to different segments of society."
Reiterating her call for democratic reforms, Doğan added that no amount of military or intelligence resources would solve the crisis if Turkey’s fundamental approach to the Kurdish question remained unchanged. “Ultimately,” she stressed, “ending isolation and promoting genuine democracy are essential steps for any lasting solution.”
