The pro-Kurdish People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) Party has called on the Turkish government and all political actors to respond seriously to Abdullah Öcalan’s latest appeal for a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue, framing it as a historic opportunity for lasting peace and democracy in Turkey.
Öcalan, the imprisoned Kurdish leader, has been held in an island prison for 26 years, mostly in severe isolation, and has been in total incommunicado detention for the past four years. His statement, released on 27 February, came amid growing political speculation following an initiative last October by far-right leader Devlet Bahçeli, who unexpectedly suggested reopening discussions on Turkey’s long-standing Kurdish question.
After three days of intensive internal deliberations, convening all its parliamentary groups and executive board members, the DEM Party held a press conference in Ankara to announce its stance. Spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan said the party was fully committed to ensuring that Öcalan’s call for peace did not go unanswered.
“This is not just an appeal directed at Turkey—it has global significance,” Doğan said. “The Kurdish issue is not an internal matter alone; it is a democratic question that concerns everyone who believes in justice and peace.”
She stressed that Öcalan’s message required concrete political engagement. “We are ready and willing to do everything necessary to realise the ‘Peace and Democratic Society Appeal’ as soon as possible. We call on all democratic forces to support this process,” she said.
Doğan also pointed to the importance of Öcalan’s role in any future peace process.
“If Turkey is truly seeking peace, it must address the role of Abdullah Öcalan as the key political actor in resolving this issue. The isolation imposed on him must end, and he must be allowed to contribute to a democratic solution,” she stated.
The DEM Party highlighted the necessity of a state-level response. “This is not a matter that concerns only our party or Kurdish political actors. It is an issue that requires engagement from all political institutions in Turkey, from the government to the opposition,” Doğan added.
She also referenced past peace efforts, stating: “We have witnessed that when political conditions allowed Öcalan to play a role, tangible progress was made towards peace. The current situation, where he is held in total isolation, prevents any meaningful discussion on a political solution.”
The announcement follows a period of heightened political activity regarding the Kurdish issue. In recent months, opposition figures have held dialogues with imprisoned Kurdish politicians, and Öcalan’s legal team has renewed calls for access to their client, who has been denied all contact with the outside world since 2021. Meanwhile, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) declared a unilateral ceasefire shortly after Öcalan’s appeal, a move that Doğan described as a “historic and encouraging step that must be met with a political response”.
As part of its strategy, the DEM Party announced a nationwide mobilisation effort. It will hold public meetings in 101 locations across Turkey, from western cities like İzmir to predominantly Kurdish regions in the southeast, to discuss Öcalan’s statement and gather public support for a peace process. “This is a moment of political responsibility, and we will ensure that every voice demanding peace is heard,” Doğan said.
She also warned against efforts to sideline the political dimension of the Kurdish issue:
“There can be no lasting solution without acknowledging the will of the Kurdish people. Peace cannot be achieved by ignoring their democratic demands.”
Öcalan’s statement has received notable responses across Turkey’s political spectrum. President Erdoğan and far-right leader Devlet Bahçeli both welcomed the call, with Bahçeli reaffirming his earlier stance on revisiting the Kurdish issue. Meanwhile, Özgür Özel, the leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), also voiced support, urging the government to act quickly in response. The political momentum has sparked renewed discussions on whether Turkey could see the revival of peace negotiations after years of stagnation.
