Isolation continues, no visit to Imrali, no legal groundwork prepared

The peace process and democratic society initiative launched by Leader Abdullah Öcalan dominates the scene in Turkey, Kurdistan, and the region. Over nearly 10 months since the leader’s call, the Kurdish liberation movement has taken historic steps that resonated worldwide. However, the Turkish authorities have yet to take any concrete legal or practical steps.

The isolation imposed on Leader Abdullah Öcalan remains a central topic on the agenda, with all parties advocating for a solution emphasizing that ending the isolation is an essential condition for achieving peace.

Here, we present the attempts and efforts striving for a solution and the lifting of isolation.

On October 1, 2024, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahçeli, greeted the deputies of the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party (HDP) during the opening of the Turkish Parliament. On October 22 of the same month, during his party’s parliamentary meeting, he called on Leader Abdullah Öcalan to deliver a speech in Parliament, speaking about opening the door to the “right to hope.”

On October 23, 2024, the leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Özgür Özal, visiting the city of Diyarbakir (Amed), stated that the Kurdish issue cannot be resolved through an individual speech, saying: “As long as the Kurds have not said ‘the issue is over,’ the issue remains and must be solved.”

Meeting the Leader After 43 Months

On October 23, Ömer Öcalan, nephew of Leader Abdullah Öcalan and an MP for the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party, visited İmralı and met the leader for the first time after 43 months of separation. During the meeting, the leader conveyed this message: “Isolation continues. If the conditions are prepared, I possess the theoretical and practical power to transform this process from the framework of war and violence into a legal and political one.”

A New Disciplinary Punishment

In response to this message, on November 2, it was revealed that a new disciplinary punishment lasting three months was imposed on the leader on October 16, forbidding him from meeting anyone.

On November 21, the ban on lawyers meeting with Leader Abdullah Öcalan was extended for six months.

On December 3, deputies of the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party, accompanied by an international delegation, submitted a request to the Turkish Ministry of Justice to meet the leader, but their request was denied.

Visits of the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party Delegation

On December 28, deputies Pervin Buldan and Sarı Sürya Önder visited İmralı and met Leader Abdullah Öcalan. During the meeting, the leader emphasized the importance of an alliance between the Kurdish and Turkish peoples, directing this message: “To ensure the success of the process, all political parties in Turkey must take initiative without narrow calculations, act constructively, and cooperate positively.”

This was the first meeting of the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party. After this visit, on January 2, the party delegation to İmralı, Pervin Buldan, Sarı Sürya Önder, and politician Ahmed Türk, met with Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş and, on the same day, with Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahçeli.

Erdogan’s Threat

On January 14, Devlet Bahçeli declared the visit of the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party delegation to İmralı positive. Nevertheless, on January 15, Turkish President Erdoğan issued this threat: “If the demanded call is made and the terrorist organization and its structures take the necessary steps, Turks, Kurds, and Turkey will gain. But if they do not respond to the call, we will achieve our goal of a Turkey free of terrorism by other means.”

Meeting and Support

On January 18, the co-chair of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) Executive Board, Cemil Bayik, stated that Erdoğan’s statements are not aimed at a solution but rather exacerbate the problem. On the same day, the KCK sent this message: “The physical freedom of Leader Abdullah Öcalan, the solution of the Kurdish issue, and the democratization of Turkey and the Middle East will be the most important and strategic event of our century.”

On January 22, the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party delegation met with the leader for the second time, where he affirmed that his efforts toward a solution continue.

On January 28, the co-chair of the KCK Executive Board, Besê Hozat, said in a special program on Medya Haber channel: “Isolation must be lifted so that Leader Abdullah Öcalan can issue his call.”

On February 14, Cemil Bayik revealed that Leader Abdullah Öcalan sent them a message, saying the isolation still persists. “How can the leader issue his call if his conditions do not change?”

Between February 16 and 19, the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party delegation met with the heads of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), and other parties in South Kurdistan, all of whom expressed support for the process.

The Historic Call

On February 27, the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party delegation, composed of Ahmed Türk, Pervin Buldan, Sarı Sürya Önder, Tolay Hatimoğulları, Tuncer Bakırhan, Cengiz Çiçek, and Faiq Özgür Arol, met with Leader Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı.

The delegation announced the leader’s call for “peace and democratic society” to the public in a press conference in Istanbul the same day. In this call, described as historic, the leader requested the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to dissolve itself and end armed struggle.

PKK and Public Response

On March 1, the PKK announced a unilateral ceasefire in response to Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s call.

On March 21, Murad Karayılan, a member of the KCK leadership, stated the process must be led by Leader Abdullah Öcalan. On the same day, millions embraced the leader’s call during Newroz celebrations across Kurdistan.

On March 31, Leader Abdullah Öcalan sent greetings to the people for adopting the historic agreement.

Second Family Meeting

On April 9, it was announced that Leader Abdullah Öcalan and other detainees in İmralı Ömer Khairy Konar, Hamili Yıldırım, and Veysi Aktaş met their families on March 31, on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. During the meeting, the leader conveyed: “I have full hope and will continue this process until the end.”

PKK Holds Its Conference

On April 21, the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party delegation visited İmralı for the fourth time and met with Leader Abdullah Öcalan. The PKK announced its 12th conference between May 5 and 7 and declared compliance with the leader’s call. On May 12, the PKK announced the decisions of its conference, including the dissolution of the party.

On May 13, Leader Abdullah Öcalan welcomed the PKK’s conference decisions.

Call for a New Agreement and Formation of a Parliamentary Committee

On May 18, the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party delegation revisited İmralı, where the leader said: “There is a need for a new agreement based on brotherhood. What we have done is a significant change in the model.” He also demanded the formation of a parliamentary committee to then meet with him.

On the same day, Bahçeli said a parliamentary committee of 100 members could be formed.

On June 7 or 8, families visited İmralı again. During this visit, the children of Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s family also attended, and the leader embraced the children for the first time in 26 years.

On June 26, a meeting was held between the İmralı delegation and Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş concerning the formation of the parliamentary committee. Pervin Buldan stated the process had entered an important stage.

On July 3, Mustafa Karasu, a member of the KCK Executive Board, stated that a faction within the state aims to sabotage the process and emphasized that the path to a solution passes through achieving the physical freedom of Leader Abdullah Öcalan.

The Video Message and Guerrilla Ceremony

On July 6, the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party delegation visited İmralı for the sixth time and met with the leader.

On July 9, the first recorded speech of Leader Abdullah Öcalan in 26 years was published. The leader said: “I believe in politics and societal peace, not in weapons, and I call on you to adopt this principle.”

On July 11, 30 PKK guerrilla fighters, under the name “Peace and Democratic Society Group,” ceremoniously burned their weapons in Sulaymaniyah, South Kurdistan.

“It’s the Other Side’s Turn”

On July 11, Besê Hozat, co-chair of the KCK who led the ceremony, stated: “Weapons are no longer an obstacle; it’s the other side’s turn.”

On July 25, the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party delegation made another visit to İmralı, where Leader Abdullah Öcalan highlighted the value of the will, faith, trust, and determination shown during the Karela ceremony and mentioned that he awaits the parliamentary committee’s work to expand.

A Call to All Segments of Society

On July 28, Ömer Öcalan, an MP for the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party from Urfa (Raha), met with Leader Abdullah Öcalan during a family visit. The leader said: “Engaging all segments of society in this process is a vital necessity.”

Formation of the Committee

On August 5, parties with parliamentary blocs formed the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Committee, which has held 14 meetings and listened to various parties.

On August 7, Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş clarified that the work in Parliament is to make “proposals” and not to conduct negotiations.

Erdogan Speaks but No Steps Taken; Kurdish Language Still Not Allowed

On August 14, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that they would soon announce a reform program, but no concrete steps have yet been taken.

On August 20, the committee listened to the Mothers of Peace, but they were not allowed to speak in Kurdish. This action was criticized by many parties and considered to undermine public trust.

Three Key Concepts of Leader Abdullah Öcalan

On August 28, the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party delegation met Leader Abdullah Öcalan for the eighth time. The delegation said the leader identified three main concepts for the process: “Democratic society, peace, and integration.”

Bahçeli’s Threat

On September 2, Devlet Bahçeli threatened northeast Syria, claiming that the Syrian Democratic Forces do not adhere to the March 10 agreement with the Damascus government.

Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s Message to the Committee

On September 9, the spokesperson of the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party, Ayşe Gül Doğan, revealed that Leader Abdullah Öcalan told the İmralı delegation: “The committee must meet with me; I have important matters to inform the committee about.”

Lawyers’ Visit to İmralı

On September 15, lawyers met Leader Abdullah Öcalan after six years. Lawyer Razia Öztürk said: “Mr. Öcalan said temporary laws must be prepared specifically for this process.”

On September 17, large rallies took place in Diyarbakir (Amed), northern Kurdistan, and Mersin, Turkey, demanding the implementation of the “Right to Hope.”

Kurtulmuş’s Response About Meeting the Leader

On September 26, Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, during the evaluation meeting of the third legislative year of the 28th Parliament term, responded to a journalist’s question, “Will the committee meet Öcalan?” He replied: “This topic has not yet been included in the committee’s agenda.”

October 3 Meeting

On October 3, the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party delegation met Leader Abdullah Öcalan. According to the delegation, the leader conveyed this message: “Among the important models developed by civilization after three centuries of destructive conflicts and massive losses in world wars, deliberative democracy stands out as a model for solution. Methods and mechanisms constituting the essence of this model should be adopted to resolve many problems Turkey faces internally and externally. He proposed that deliberative democracy prevail in all political and social relations.”

No Changes in Laws, No Lifting of Isolation, No Change in Conditions

Leader Abdullah Öcalan repeatedly emphasized the necessity of preparing appropriate conditions for the success of the process. He also requested meetings with the parliamentary committee, journalists, politicians, and intellectuals to establish a legal basis.

The PKK announced that Leader Abdullah Öcalan is the chief negotiator. Yet, according to the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party delegation and lawyers, the situation in İmralı remains unchanged; prison conditions are the same, and the isolation has not been lifted.

Between October 1, 2024, and October 10, 2025, the families of Leader Abdullah Öcalan and other detainees in İmralı submitted 31 visit requests but met only 4 times. Lawyers submitted 43 requests but met only once. The parliamentary committee did not visit İmralı, no legal steps were taken, and the language of Turkish politics and media remained unchanged.

ANHA