Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party, DEM, anticipates a “historic declaration” from PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, who is imprisoned on Imrali island. A delegation will visit him to discuss potential peace proposals amidst ongoing efforts to end a decades-long conflict. This visit underscores renewed interest in reconciliation, as speculations of Ocalan urging his fighters to disarm emerge, alongside reflections on the broader implications for Turkish-Kurdish relations.
In a significant development, Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Democratic Party (DEM) anticipates a “historic declaration” from Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). A seven-member delegation will visit Ocalan at his prison on Thursday, continuing efforts to resolve a long-standing conflict between the PKK and the Turkish government. This meeting, the third in recent months, is part of ongoing negotiations aimed at reconciliation with the Kurdish population.
The anticipated statement from Ocalan comes as the Turkish government aims to restore relations with the PKK, an organization that has been engaged in an insurgency against the state for nearly four decades. DEM has indicated that they expect Ocalan to make a significant announcement, potentially calling for peace and urging PKK fighters to disarm, in exchange for meaningful concessions for Kurds.
The delegation visiting Ocalan includes prominent figures such as DEM co-chairs Tulay Hatimogullari and Tuncer Bakirhan, as well as veteran Kurdish politician Ahmet Turk. Turkish media reports suggest that Ocalan’s appeal for peace may be conveyed through a video message, although the justice ministry has yet to authorize such a format.
Abdullah Ocalan, who has been incarcerated on Imrali prison island since his arrest in 1999, has been allowed limited discussions with lawmakers, rekindling hopes for dialogue following a previous failed peace process in 2015. The conflict has resulted in over 40,000 deaths since its inception in 1984, making a resolution imperative for all parties involved.
As anticipation builds surrounding this meeting, the Kurdish community and the broader populace await Ocalan’s declaration, which could be pivotal not only for the PKK but also for the peace process in Turkey. This initiative has also received support from some nationalistic political leaders, hinting at an influential moment in Turkish-Kurdish relations.
The impending visit to Abdullah Ocalan by Turkey’s pro-Kurd party DEM is poised to deliver a potentially ground-breaking declaration regarding peace efforts with the PKK. With the backdrop of decades of conflict and significant loss of life, this meeting holds considerable significance for both the Kurdish community and Turkish governance. The outcome of this encounter could shape future negotiations and the era of reconciliation between stakeholders involved.
Original Source: www.france24.com
