NEWS CENTER - Abdullah Öcalan gave important messages to many sectors during the 1-year Peace and Democratic Society Process. The messages emphasised the construction of a democratic society and called for a "return to the country" and the construction of communes.
One year has passed since Turkish Nationalist Movement (MHP) Party Chair Devlet Bahçeli shook hands with the deputies of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party during the opening of the Parliament on 1 October 2024 and the statements made by Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan on the "right to hope". In this process, the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) convened its congress upon Öcalan's call and both decided to dissolve and organised a weapons disposal ceremony in line with this decision.
Within the scope of the process described as the "Peace and Democratic Society Process", the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission was established in the Parliament with the participation of all parties except the IYI Party. While the commission continues its work, no step has yet been taken to establish the legal basis that Öcalan pointed out in the context of the process. In addition, it is still unclear what course the government will take with regard to the solution of the Kurdish issue.
Following Bahçeli's statements, the first meeting took place in İmralı after 43 months of absolute isolation. On 22 October, Öcalan met with Riha (Urfa) MP and his nephew Ömer Öcalan and gave the message " If conditions are created, I have the theoretical and practical power to move this process from the grounds of conflict and violence to the legal and political grounds".
On 28 December, Öcalan met with a delegation consisting of DEM Party MPs Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Pervin Buldan and gave important messages about the process. The talks in İmralı then continued with family and lawyer meetings.
Öcalan gave important messages both to the process and to different groups during the talks.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE: THIS IS A TIME FOR BROTHERHOOD
In the meeting of 28 December, Öcalan gave the following message through the delegation: "Strengthening the Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood once again is not only a historic responsibility but also a matter of critical urgency and significance for all peoples. For the process to succeed, it is essential that all political groups in Turkey take initiative without getting caught up in narrow, short-term interests, act constructively, and contribute positively. One of the key platforms for these contributions will undoubtedly be the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM). The events in Gaza and Syria have shown that the resolution of this issue, which external interventions attempt to turn into a chronic problem, can no longer be delayed. The contributions and proposals of the opposition are also crucial for achieving a solution proportional to the seriousness of this issue.
I possess the necessary competence and determination to provide the required positive contribution to the new paradigm supported by Mr. Bahçeli and Mr. Erdoğan. The delegation will share my perspective with both the state and political circles. In this context, I am ready to take the necessary positive steps and issue a call. All these efforts will elevate the country to the level it deserves and will also serve as a valuable guide for democratic transformation. This is a time for peace, democracy, and brotherhood for Turkey and the region."
HISTORIC CALL IN IMRALI
In his meeting with the delegation on 23 January, "There is still a long way to go. We have to succeed this time," Öcalan said.
The DEM Party İmralı Delegation held a historic meeting with Öcalan on 27 February and made a statement together. Ahmet Türk, Pervin Buldan, Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Tülay Hatimoğulları, Tuncer Bakırhan, Cengiz Çiçek and Faik Özgür Erol took part in the meeting. Prisoners Ömer Hayri Konar, Hamili Yıldırım and Veysi Aktaş also took part in the meeting.
The statement made by Öcalan, his fellow prisoners and members of the delegation was shared with the public in Istanbul on the evening of the same day. The statement was accompanied by a photograph of the historic meeting in İmralı.
In the call called "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" , "The language of the epoch of peace and democratic society needs to be developed in accordance with this reality. The call made by Mr. Devlet Bahceli, along with the will expressed by Mr. President, and the positive responses from the other political parties towards the known call, has created an environment in which I am making a call for the laying down of arms, and I take on the historical responsibility of this call. As in the case with any modern community and party whose existence has not been abolished by force, would voluntarily do, convene your congress and make a decision; all groups must lay their arms and the PKK must dissolve itself. I convey my greetings to all those who believe in co-existence and who look forward to my call."
After the statement, Sırrı Süreyya Önder quoted Abdullah Öcalan's words to the delegation: "Undoubtedly, in practice, laying down arms and the PKK's dissolution require the recognition of democratic politics and the legal dimension."
MARCH 8 MESSAGE
In his message, Öcalan said, "My basic principle is a fascinating life with you". Pointing to women's freedom, Öcalan said, "Unless the rape culture is overcome, social reality cannot be revealed in the fields of philosophy, science, aesthetics, ethics and religion. As Marxism proves, the achievement of socialism will not be possible unless the new era destroys the male-dominated culture deeply embedded in society. Socialism can be achieved through women's liberation. One cannot be a socialist without women's freedom. There can be no socialism. One cannot go for socialism without democracy. My first test of socialism is to know how to talk to a woman. He who does not know how to talk to a woman cannot be a socialist. A man's socialism is related to the way he relates to a woman."
CALL FROM ÖCALAN TO ÊZIDÎS
"This process will be the renaissance of the Yazidis", Öcalan said, adding that "The Yazidis must become an active force in the struggle for democratization and the construction of a democratic society based on free and communal living".
NEWROZ
Öcalan and İmralı prisoners Ömer Hayri Konar, Hamili Yıldırım and Veysi Aktaş held a family meeting on 31 March on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. "I salute our people’s enthusiastic support of the Call for Peace and a Democratic Society during Newroz. I extend my greetings for both Newroz and Eid al-Fitr" Öcalan said in this meeting.
MESSAGE FOR THE ÖNDER: LET'S PUT PEACE INTO PRACTICE
Following the heart attack of İmralı delegation member and Parliamentary Deputy Speaker Sırrı Süreyya Önder, lawyer Özgür Faik Erol and Pervin Buldan went to İmralı on 21 April. The delegation shared Öcalan's message regarding Önder.
In his message, Öcalan said "I see that many people are visiting the hospital where Önder is staying, showing loyalty to his legacy. Real loyalty means putting his efforts for peace into practice."
Önder died on 3 May. Öcalan sent a new message in response. Öcalan said, "With the passing of dear Sırrı Süreyya Önder, a deep sorrow has settled in our hearts. He was a very valuable person, a true child of the peoples. Anatolia and the Turkmen tradition have lost one of their greatest sons; all the communities and peoples of our geography have lost a great comrade. I hold deep respect for his memory. On 27 February, during our last meeting, he personally took note of the final sentence we added to our call, writing it down with his own hands, and he wanted to read it himself. He had an unforgettable diligence and devotion to living together in peace. He possessed the rare skill of turning every negative into something positive. He was a true identity and culture of peace. He knew very well what peace and the peace process could bring to all of us, and this was his deepest longing. This hope can never be left incomplete. What matters for all of us is to carry this spirit into peace and to crown it in the name of Sırrı Süreyya Önder. Once again, I express my eternal respect for his memory; I extend my condolences to his beloved family, friends, loved ones, and all our peoples. My deepest condolences to all of us."
ALTUN AND KAYTAN MESSAGE
The PKK made a statement on 12 May regarding its 12th Congress held on 5-7 May. In the statement, it was stated that a decision was taken to dissolve the organisation. It was also announced that Ali Haydar Kaytan (Fuat) and Rıza Altun, two of the PKK's leading cadres, lost their lives. It is stated that Kaytan died on 3 July 2018 and Rıza Altun died on 25 September 2019.
Öcalan sent a message on 13 May regarding Kaytan and Altun. Öcalan said, "Dear Comrades, it is with great sorrow that I have heard and learnt about the martyrdom of Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun. Provided that I will make comprehensive evaluations on the memory of the comrades later, for now I express my wishes to commemorate them with deep reverence. Their place in our struggle for national existence and democratic communality is eternal. They will forever play their role as fundamental inspirational values to the paradigm and institutionalisation of the new era. As eternal guides, they will live on and be kept alive in our struggle. On this occasion, I respectfully greet the decisions taken at the historic 12th congress and the messages regarding the upcoming period."
PERSPECTIVE SENT TO THE CONGRESS
MESSAGE TO JINEOLOJÎ
Öcalan sent a letter to the Jineolojî Academy on 30 May. Öcalan sent his letter to the academy with a branch of flowers in the air.
Öcalan stated that the women's work, which he called "my unfinished project" when he was brought to İmralı, was moving forward with Jineolojî. He also emphasised that women would lead the new process.
ÖCALAN: ŞÊX SEÎD DID NOT BACK DOWN
"The historical reality we commemorate in the person of Sheikh Said goes beyond a mere uprising or local rebellion. This reality is a traditional struggle for existence that has left deep traces in the social memory of the Kurdish people. That struggle is the rebellion of Kurdish society against the imposed monist mentality, manifested with faith, tradition, and will."
MESSAGE TO EUROPEAN DELEGATION
Öcalan sent a written message to the 39-member delegation including academics, parliamentarians, lawyers and journalists who travelled to Istanbul from Europe to visit him.
Öcalan's message stated the following: “To the Esteemed Friends... Your effort to bring attention to the quest for freedom embodied in my person, and your request to meet with me—undertaken despite the long journey—are profoundly meaningful and valuable to me. Above all, I do not regard such an effort merely as an act of personal solidarity or an individual search for freedom; rather, I see it as part of the will for social peace, a democratic resolution, and the shared aspiration of peoples to live freely together. I have never considered my personal freedom separately from social freedom. Indeed, I have always maintained that individual liberties cannot find their true meaning in the absence of social emancipation. For this reason, I view your initiative as a meaningful contribution and a courageous call for the shared democratic future of our peoples. I have been informed of your request to meet. I hope that in the period ahead, the conditions necessary for such a meeting will emerge. In this regard, I send my greetings and respect to everyone who has contributed—not only on my behalf, but also in support of the democratic will and the quest for freedom of our peoples. With the hope that we may meet face to face in days of freedom, within a society where democracy has truly taken root…”
FIRST VIDEO AFTER 26 YEARS
One of Öcalan's historic statements was the video call made on 9 July. Fırat News Agency (ANF) published the video of the historic call. Prisoners in İmralı F Type High Security Closed Prison also stood by Abdullah Öcalan in the historic call. "I believe not in the arms, but in the power of politics and social peace and call on you put this principle into practice," Öcalan said.
'PARTICIPATION OF ALL SEGMENTS IN THE PROCESS IS A VITAL NECESSITY
Öcalan met with his guardian Mazlum Dinç and his nephew Ömer Öcalan on 28 July and stated that "Mr. Öcalan maintains his hope and determination for peace and democratic solution and underlines that 'the participation of all segments in the process is a vital need' for the process to proceed in a healthy way."
MEXMUR CITIZENS: WE MUST THINK ABOUT COLLECTIVE RETURN
Another group Öcalan sent a letter to were the citizens living in Mexmûr (Makhmur). The letter stated that social, political and legal issues would be dealt with in a collective manner and that a solution would be reached on this basis. Öcalan also said, "For Europe, Mexmur and all those in exile, I think that the return of all of them will be collective and we will determine the geography. Do they want to return? I believe that half of them will want to return. We must think about the collective return."
IMRALI DELEGATION MET WITH OCALAN
İmralı Heyeti üyeleri Pervin Buldan ve Mithat Sancar ile avukat Faik Özgür Erol, 28 Ağustos’ta Öcalan ile görüştü. "He stated that the problem we are experiencing requires a serious and sensitive intervention in order to end it completely and that they have brought the process to this day by carrying out the process with this sensitivity. Our aim was to do our best to bring a painful process to an end, he said."
The delegation also noted that Mr Öcalan stated that democratic society, peace and integration were the three key concepts of this process and that it could be concluded on this basis. "Mr Öcalan stated that his preference has always been for an integration based on a democratic republic and a democratic society, and that understanding and embracing this strategic move would benefit all of us, all of Turkey. It is clear that the simplification of dismissal of this preference in some political and media circles is damaging to this process."
MESSAGE TO EMIGRANTS
Öcalan also criticised the migration to Europe and stated the following "I prefer this place, İmralı, to Europe. I am very clear; they should pay their debts to their own land and culture. I encourage them to do so. One of my goals in this process is to ensure a qualified return to the country from exile."
'I CALL ON THE KURDS TO BE UNITED'
Öcalan sent a message to a conference organised by the Rûdaw Research Centre on 1 September.
The message reads: "If this process in Turkey succeeds, the fate of the entire Middle East will change; a new era will begin in which wars and destruction will be replaced by a democratic life based on peace. My preference is for Kurds to be in integration and solidarity with states that provide them with the opportunity for democratic society-centered relations. I define this as ‘democratic society-based integration.’ I base the process we are currently conducting on this principle and believe it will be successful. In my view, relations among Kurds should also be in the form of democratic-based unity. I call on all Kurds to come together and unite on democratic grounds."
'WE MUST WAGE THE STRUGGLE ON OUR OWN SOIL'
Öcalan's message was read at the 33rd International Kurdish Culture Festival held in Dortmund, Germany on 13 September. The message called for "return to the country" and stated the following:
"Dear friends, You who live in Europe moved there as a result of necessities and pressures. But with the progress of the process we have initiated, your return to the country will be the gateway to a new beginning. Despite all the challenges, you have preserved your roots with your culture, your language, your labor, and your art; you have continued the struggle on every front. Today, in our country too, there is a great need for the experience and solidarity created by your struggle in Europe for the development of a democratic society. Because this place needs freedom, democracy, and a new social construction.
This construction process will be strengthened with the participation of those in exile. The process we are now striving to develop is one that reconnects us all with our roots, our land, and our memory. Your gathering at a cultural festival in Europe is not only a cultural event, but also a declaration of will that keeps the roots of our exiled people alive. As a result of deliberate policies, the country's youthful dynamism is being directed abroad. It is imperative to develop a multi-dimensional program to prevent this. Under these conditions, our fundamental goal and objective must be to wage this struggle on our own soil. When we stand together, whether in exile or at home, no force can stop this march. When the cultural and political legacy you have created merges with the struggle we are waging here, a new era will dawn on the path to freedom and democracy. With endless love, faith, and solidarity...”
MESSAGE FOR MUSA ANTER NIGHT
In the message Öcalan sent to the 32nd Musa Anter and Free Press Martyrs Journalism Awards, he stated the following: "The atmosphere of the 1970s must be well understood in terms of the Kurds. Denial was at an advanced level. Escape was at an advanced level. People even avoided calling themselves by the name Kurd, the environment was woven with denial. Even saying the name meant losing everything. As I entered the 1970s, I wanted to make a historical transformation. I made my first move by going to associations in Istanbul. I said, ‘Let me use the concept of Kurd,’ and I did. That was also where I first saw Musa Anter (Apê Musa). That was the first and last time I saw him.
Apê Musa is very precious, very valuable. He was among the first to raise his voice after the 1940s. Perhaps he was the only serious patriot after the Second World War. He acted like a party all by himself. For half a century, he behaved as if he were a one-man party. He did not establish a party, but he tried to say something for the Kurds through literature. What Yaşar Kemal was in literature in Turkish, Apê Musa was in literature in Kurdish. This was very valuable. In this sense, he had a primordial quality. It was precisely for this reason that he was assassinated by counter-forces.
In our meeting in Istanbul, brief as it was, we had the chance to walk together. He gave us advice. He said, ‘Protect yourselves.’ We tried to do that, and we are still trying. That is how we arrived at today. At present, we are carrying out a process aimed at building Peace and a Democratic Society. Its success will require a genuine and valuable effort. My belief and hope in its success are strong.
It should not be forgotten that when words meet truth, they are very powerful; they are creative and guiding. With this truth, it is a historical responsibility for valuable press workers to play their role with responsibility and contribution in this matter. In closing, I respectfully commemorate our free press martyrs, and I wish success to the press workers who strive to realize Musa Anter’s ideals by following in his footsteps.”
'LEGAL SOLUTIONS REQUIRED'
A lawyer meeting took place in İmralı after an interval of 6 years. Asrin Law Office lawyers Raziye Öztürk, İbrahim Bilmez and Cengiz Yürekli met with Öcalan on 15 September.
In the statement made by the office, the statement reads: "Mr. Öcalan stated that the process of peace and democratic society has reached the stage of legal resolution. He expressed that Kurds have been excluded from the law as a phenomenon over the course of a century, and that they are trying to overcome this exclusion from the law. He expressed his insistence on coexistence within the framework of a democratic nation and his support for the project for a democratic republic. In this context, he also pointed out that the Kurdish issue has many political, social, economic, and cultural dimensions and requires legal resolutions that include interim laws at this stage. He expressed his desire and hope that the timing of the lawyers' visit during this period, which can be defined as a transition period, would be seen as a sign that the gateway to the law is opening. Demonstrating an approach commensurate with Mr. Öcalan's role and status as an interlocutor is the fundamental responsibility of everyone who believes in the process of peace and a democratic society. On this occasion, we would like to note that the “Right to Hope,” which is on the agenda of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, is a structural problem in Turkish law, and that positive steps in this regard would constitute a fundamental step in the construction of a democratic legal system. Mr. Öcalan has asked us to convey his deepest regards to everyone who inquires about him, who believes in the process of peace and democratic society that they are pursuing, and who works and strives for this cause, especially the political prisoners behind bars."
Tomorrow: Tuncer Bakırhan evaluated the 1-year process
MA / Berivan Altan