DEM Party Delegation Meets with Massoud Barzani, Conveys Ocalan’s Message on Peace Process

Peregraf

A delegation from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) met with Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) President Massoud Barzani on Sunday morning, delivering a message from jailed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan regarding the Kurdish peace process between the PKK and the Turkish government.

Barzani’s headquarters stated that during the meeting, the guest delegation shared its perspectives on the political situation and the peace process in Turkey with Barzani. They also provided an overview of their discussions with Abdullah Öcalan, detailing the outcomes of their meetings. Additionally, the Imrali delegation conveyed the content of Öcalan’s message to Barzani, emphasizing its significance in the context of ongoing efforts toward peace.

In response, Barzani welcomed the delegation and reiterated his belief that the peace process is the only viable path to achieving lasting solutions. He emphasized the need for all parties involved to intensify their efforts to ensure the success of these negotiations. Furthermore, Barzani reaffirmed his full commitment to supporting and assisting the peace process in Turkey, expressing his readiness to contribute to its success.

The DEM Party delegation, which includes two lawmakers who have met with Ocalan twice since December, is set to travel to Sulaymaniyah for meetings with Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) President Bafel Talabani and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani. The delegation consists of Sirri Sureyya Onder, Deputy Chairman of the DEM Party faction; Pervin Buldan, DEM Party MP from Van; and Keskin Bayindir, Co-Chairman of the Democratic Regions Party in Turkey.

Ocalan’s Message and Peace Initiative

Prior to this visit, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) confirmed receiving a letter from Ocalan on the Kurdish peace process. Cemil Bayik, Executive Council Co-Chair of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), stated in an interview with PKK-affiliated Sterk TV that Ocalan is determined to shift the Kurdish issue from armed struggle to a political and legal framework.

“Ocalan wants to take the step he has already started to a bigger goal: to move the Kurdish issue from the battlefield to a political and legal basis in a democratic way,” Bayik said, urging all stakeholders to support Ocalan’s initiative. He emphasized that for the process to advance, Ocalan’s prison conditions must change to allow him unrestricted communication.

Renewed Negotiations and Imminent Agreement

Negotiations between the Turkish government, political parties, and Ocalan continue in an effort to end the 40-year conflict between Turkey and the PKK. Informed sources indicate that an agreement may be imminent, with Ocalan expected to announce a decision regarding the disarmament of the PKK.

DEM Party lawmakers met with Ocalan for the second time on January 22, 2025, to relay responses from Turkish political parties regarding the peace process. The PKK leadership has confirmed that Ocalan is actively engaged in advancing the discussions.

This follows a significant meeting on December 28, 2024, when pro-Kurdish lawmakers Sirri Sureyya Onder and Pervin Buldan met with Ocalan on Imrali Island. During this meeting, Ocalan called for the revival of the peace process, stressing the need for Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood and democratic reforms.

Political Reactions and Future Prospects

In a statement issued by Onder and Buldan, Ocalan outlined a comprehensive framework for addressing the Kurdish issue and regional stability. Referencing developments in Gaza and Syria, he warned that the Kurdish question, exacerbated by foreign interventions, requires immediate action.

Ocalan urged all Turkish political parties to adopt a constructive and inclusive approach, emphasizing the importance of parliamentary involvement. He expressed willingness to contribute to a new political paradigm and suggested that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and MHP leader Devlet Bahceli could play key roles in the process.

“The strengthening of Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood is not only a historical responsibility but a decisive necessity for all nations,” Ocalan stated, calling for political cooperation beyond ideological divisions.

Shifting Dynamics in Turkish Politics

The meeting between Ocalan and pro-Kurdish lawmakers marked the first direct communication since the collapse of the 2014 peace process, which led to intensified conflict. Ocalan, imprisoned on Imrali Island since 1999, has had severely limited contact with the outside world. His last family visit was in October 2024, when his nephew, DEM Party lawmaker Omer Ocalan, met him for the first time since 2020.

In a notable shift, the Turkish government has recently softened its stance on Ocalan. MHP leader Devlet Bahceli has proposed allowing Ocalan to address the Turkish parliament to announce the PKK’s dissolution, signaling a potential turning point in relations.

The PKK, originally founded in 1978 with the goal of establishing an independent Kurdish state, now advocates for autonomy within Turkey. It remains classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.

As the successor to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), the DEM Party continues to play a critical role in Kurdish political representation and peace negotiations. With Ocalan’s expected letter to the PKK leadership in Qandil, hopes for renewed dialogue and a potential path toward lasting peace in Turkey have been reignited.