Leader Ocalan: Remaining in state of waiting, anticipation produces risks

The delegation of the People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Parti) to Imrali issued a statement regarding the meeting held yesterday, Sunday, with Leader Abdullah Ocalan, which read:

“On 24 May 2026, we, as the Imrali delegation, held a meeting with Mr. Abdullah Ocalan and his companions residing with him. The assessments of Mr. Abdullah Ocalan during the meeting were summarized as follows:

‘Societies filled with anger cannot be transformed without great thought and firmly established moral values. Society has become obstructed and constrained at all levels of life—morally, politically, legally, and economically. For this reason, we insist on accelerating this process.

In my view, the current conditions in the Middle East are still capable of bringing about radical change. Countries such as Iran and Israel are becoming increasingly hardline, and it is clear that they will become even more so. The creation of nationalism and discrimination in the Middle East, along with the rise of smaller nationalist currents, is harmful. We are carrying out a process aimed at monitoring and preventing dangerous developments in the region and ending bloodshed.

It is of great importance that all efforts be based on a legal framework and a solid foundation. Remaining in a state of hope and expectation will bring nothing but risks. We do not have time to waste. I believe that all parties will assume this historical responsibility, and that the Turkish Parliament will act with this sensitivity.

The legal framework can be the cornerstone of the democratic transformation process.

It can form the basis of this process. The revision of laws will be a process of building a positive structure and genuine democracy. Democracy is an essential demand, and the success of this process will bring us closer to achieving this goal.

Is it possible in a democratic system to raid the headquarters of a political party? The events that took place regarding the Republican People’s Party are linked to the absence of democratic politics and the failure to implement real democracy. The reason the situation has reached this level is the deprivation of the country from the democratic standard inherent in the essence of the republic. The approach that considers democracy a luxury, demagoguery, or empty talk, and that does not give it importance, has consequences. It is a grave mistake. There is no more urgent task than building and developing the democratic character of the republic.

We are striving to create the appropriate conditions for this in this country and to expand its prospects. We see Imrali as highly important for preparing the republic for a democratic initiative, for democratic law, and for taking legal steps toward a solution. We consider this a step toward ending the lack of democracy within parties and between them. The ideal solution to these efforts lies in building a democratic culture and content for the republic, and in establishing a legal system that guarantees all of this. On this basis, I call on everyone to contribute to the process of peace and a democratic society.

This is the meaning of integrating the Kurds into a democratic republic. We are working to end the state of stagnation that the Kurdish issue has experienced for years, and the element of violence arising from this issue is being eliminated through a systematic solution. We can call this process a restructuring, modernization, and development of Turkish-Kurdish relations.

The letters of academics and international intellectuals who support the peace and democratic society process have been compiled into a book. In this context, I would like to emphasize our readiness to evaluate any proposal, criticism, or contribution with great sensitivity. At a time when we are in urgent need of democracy and peace, I extend my greetings to everyone for their valuable support.

With respect,

25 May 2026

Imrali delegation of the People’s Equality and Democracy Party’.”

A-H

ANHA