On January 11, the Imrali Delegation met with imprisoned former Co-Chairs of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, along with Selçuk Mızraklı and Leyla Güven. The delegation received full support for the ongoing process. In a message he later released, Selahattin Demirtaş stated: “We fully trust and support Abdullah Öcalan, who is making a great effort for a democratic solution and peace.” Figen Yüksekdağ also expressed her support and said, “We are standing right beside this process, ready and willing to do whatever is required of us.”

On January 14, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairperson Devlet Bahçeli made a statement during his party’s group meeting, calling for a second meeting with Öcalan in Imrali and the announcement of a new message.

On January 22, the delegation paid a second visit to Öcalan in Imrali. Following the meeting, a public statement was released, which said: “Öcalan’s work regarding the process is ongoing. Once the necessary preparations are completed, a detailed statement will be shared with the public.”

On January 29, the Ministry of the Interior appointed Siirt Governor Kemal Kızılkaya as trustee in place of Siirt (Sêrt) Co-Mayor Sofya Alağaş, who was sentenced to six years and three months in prison.

Tuncer Bakırhan, Co-Chair of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), reacted strongly to what he described as a usurpation of the people's will. Addressing Devlet Bahçeli and the ruling bloc, he stated: “Is this how you plan to bring peace to Turkey? With tyranny and a regime of seizure? Have some shame, have some conscience. We’ve been calling for dialogue for months. And these gentlemen respond with trustees.”

Speaking to Mezopotamya Agency on January 31, Remzi Kartal, Co-Chair of the Kurdistan People’s Congress (KONGRA-GEL), commented on the state’s pressure on Abdullah Öcalan: “The state is insisting that Öcalan issue certain messages. But Öcalan is absolutely clear in his stance. He emphasizes that without a legal framework for resolving the Kurdish question, he will not issue any call in line with the state's demands.”

During the DEM Party’s parliamentary group meeting on February 4, Tuncer Bakırhan announced that Öcalan would soon make a “historic call.” He stated: “We consider this call to be of great importance. We support it and stand behind it. We call on the government to fulfill its role in line with this historic initiative. Mr. Bahçeli is not the head of the executive branch. The real responsibility lies with Erdoğan. The ball is in Erdoğan’s court now.”

On February 6, Murat Karayılan, a member of the Executive Council of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), spoke about a possible disarmament call from Öcalan. “Let’s say Leader Öcalan makes the call. Would that be enough on its own? A decision must be made to lay down arms. The PKK Congress must convene and formally take such a decision. And who can make all of this happen? Leader Öcalan can. He can call for the congress, and when it convenes, he can address it. Even if not physically present, his messages can still reach.”

On February 8, the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) and the DEM Party organized a rally titled “Freedom for Peace” in Diyarbakır (Amed). In his speech at the rally, DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan condemned the Turkish state’s continuous attacks on the people guarding the Tishrin Dam in northern Syria for the past month. He said, “The government speaks of so-called solutions here while escalating its operations in Rojava. There can be no peace in Turkey if war continues in Rojava. If peace is to be achieved in Turkey, Rojava must also be included in that process.”

On February 13, Cemil Bayık, Co-Chair of the Executive Council of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), stated that they had received a letter from Öcalan. He said, “He is working to move the Kurdish question from the grounds of war to the grounds of democratization.”

On February 15, following the sentencing of Abdullah Zeydan, Co-Mayor of Van (Wan) Metropolitan Municipality, to three years and nine months in prison, the Ministry of Interior appointed Governor Ozan Balcı as trustee.

The DEM Party Co-Chairs pointed to the significance of the date, noting, “Everyone was wondering whether a message would come from Abdullah Öcalan on February 15. Yet, on this symbolic day, the government appointed a trustee to Van.”

Tülay Hatimoğulları addressed the president directly: “We ask Erdoğan: by appointing a trustee to Van, are you trying to sabotage this process? Are you aiming to derail the dialogue efforts?”

On February 18, police raids targeting the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) were carried out in ten provinces. Among those detained were political party executives, unionists, artists, and journalists. On February 21, 30 people were remanded in custody.

Meral Danış Beştaş, Co-Spokesperson of the HDK, said, “These attacks are a conspiracy against peace.”

DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan posed a direct question to Devlet Bahçeli and asked, “Where does your partner and the head of the executive, Mr. Erdoğan, stand in this resolution process, Mr. Bahçeli?”

On February 24, the Ministry of Interior appointed District Governor Okan Daştan as trustee to replace the elected mayor of Kağızman Municipality, which had been won by the DEM Party.

Call for peace and democratic society

On February 27, a delegation from the DEM Party, consisting of Ahmet Türk, Pervin Buldan, Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Tülay Hatimoğulları, Tuncer Bakırhan, Cengiz Çiçek and Özgür Erol, visited Abdullah Öcalan on Imrali Island.

Following the meeting, the delegation shared Abdullah Öcalan’s "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" with the public in Istanbul.

In the statement delivered on his behalf, Öcalan said: “The need for a democratic society is inevitable. The PKK, the longest and most extensive insurgency and armed movement in the history of the Republic, found social base and support, and was primarily inspired by the fact that the channels of democratic politics were closed.

The second century of the Republic can achieve and assure permanent and fraternal continuity only if it is crowned with democracy. There is no alternative to democracy in the pursuit and realization of a political system. Democratic consensus is the fundamental way.

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, convene your congress to integrate with the state and society voluntarily and make a decision; all groups must lay their arms and the PKK must dissolve itself.”

Sırrı Süreyya Önder added a verbal note from Öcalan: "Undoubtedly, the laying down of arms and the dissolution of the PKK in practice require the recognition of democratic politics and a legal framework."

MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli responded to the call, saying it was “valuable and important from beginning to end.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also commented and stated, “As of yesterday, we have entered a new phase in our efforts to create a terror-free Turkey.”

Tuncer Bakırhan stated that right after Abdullah Öcalan’s call, Devlet Bahçeli personally called him and said: “Rest assured, we will democratize this country together.”

PKK declares ceasefire

In response to the call made by Abdullah Öcalan, the Executive Committee of the PKK announced a ceasefire effective as of March 1, 2025. The committee stated: “We in the PKK agree with the content of the call as it is and state that we will fully comply with and implement the requirements of the call on our part. In order to pave the way for the implementation of Leader Öcalan’s Call for Peace and Democratic Society, we are declaring a ceasefire to be effective from today on.”

The PKK also declared its readiness to convene a congress and emphasized that Abdullah Öcalan’s direct guidance and leadership are essential for the success of the process, underlining the need for a secure and stable environment.

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz commented on the development via social media, noting that this new phase and its concrete implications would be closely monitored by relevant institutions.

He added: “We hope this opportunity is seized quickly and successfully, and that the plans of those with imperial ambitions in our region are foiled without delay.”

Sırrı Süreyya Önder described the PKK’s ceasefire as a turning point: “We have left behind the most difficult part. In the coming week, a series of meetings involving government officials and political figures will be held. Many issues will become clearer and more tangible. We hope that everything will be finalized within the next three months.”

Tuncer Bakırhan stressed the importance of concrete steps: “This call must not go unanswered. The extended hand must not remain in the air. Legal and political arrangements are now inevitable.”

Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, Parliamentary Group Deputy Chair of the DEM Party, emphasized the responsibility this development places on the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM): “Parliament must act swiftly and assume its responsibility in this process.”

Despite ceasefire, attacks continued

Despite the PKK having declared a ceasefire on March 1, 2025, the Turkish state continued its air and artillery strikes against Rojava and the Medya Defense Zones. The spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, Zeki Aktürk, stated, “The fight against terrorism will continue resolutely until not a single terrorist remains.”

The Ministry of Interior and the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) defended their cross-border operations, claiming they were carried out “as protection against terrorism.”

On March 17, the Imrali delegation held meetings with delegations from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the MHP.

On April 10, the Imrali delegation, consisting of Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder, met with President Erdoğan in Beştepe. The closed-door meeting lasted approximately one hour and 25 minutes and was also attended by AKP Deputy Chair Efkan Ala and the head of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), İbrahim Kalın. Speaking after the meeting, Sırrı Süreyya Önder stated, “It was a very positive meeting. We are much more hopeful now. The President is playing a very important role. Our goal is to achieve peace.”

On April 11, MHP Chair Devlet Bahçeli issued a written statement regarding the Erdoğan-Imrali meeting, saying, “The meeting held between our President and the DEM Party delegation at the Presidential Complex yesterday is praiseworthy in terms of its content, course, and symbolic significance.”

On April 15, Sırrı Süreyya Önder, a member of the Imrali delegation, was hospitalized after suffering a heart attack and was taken into intensive care.

Due to Önder’s critical condition, Pervin Buldan and Faik Özgür Erol visited Öcalan on Imrali Island on April 21. After the meeting, Buldan gave a statement in front of the hospital where Önder was receiving treatment, conveying that “Mr. Öcalan is hopeful about the process.”

On April 24, a delegation from the DEM Party met with Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç for approximately two hours. After the meeting, DEM Party Group Deputy Chair Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit said: “We conveyed to the Minister that Mr. Öcalan cannot contribute to this process under conditions of isolation. If the process is to move forward, the improvement of Mr. Öcalan’s conditions is of critical importance. These conditions must be changed immediately, without any ‘ifs’ or ‘buts.’” Koçyiğit noted that they had conveyed their demand for other delegations and political representatives to be allowed to meet with Öcalan.

On May 3, Sırrı Süreyya Önder, member of the Imrali delegation and long-time peace advocate, passed away while receiving treatment in hospital.

PKK holds congress and announces self-dissolution

On May 9, the PKK announced that it held its 12th Congress between May 5 and 7. In a public statement following the congress, the PKK declared that historic decisions were made, stating: “Comprehensive and detailed information and documentation regarding the results and decisions of the 12th Congress will be shared with the public very soon, once the outcomes from both areas of the congress have been consolidated.”

On May 12, the PKK announced that it had formally dissolved its organizational structure and ended all activities conducted under the PKK name, including the armed struggle.

Despite the PKK's declaration to end armed resistance and vow that “none of our forces will carry out any armed actions unless attacked,” the Turkish army continues its assaults on guerrilla areas such as Zap and Metina. The ongoing military operations are effectively sabotaging the process.

Unilateral will for peace

The process that began on October 1, 2024 with the call of MHP Leader Devlet Bahçeli was carried forward with goodwill and concrete steps from the Kurdish side, especially through the unilateral ceasefire declared following the call made by Abdullah Öcalan. The Kurdish side, led by Öcalan, demonstrated historic will for a resolution.

Among the most important decisions taken were the dissolution of the PKK, the end of armed struggle, the shift toward democratic politics, and the opening of a path toward social peace. These decisions, shaped by Öcalan’s perspective, were embraced by the DEM Party, civil society organizations, and the Kurdish people.

On the other hand, the AKP-MHP government and state bureaucracy either ignored this historic process or attempted to restrict it through preconditions. Although terms such as “brotherhood” and “normalization” were used in official discourse, structural and lasting steps, legal reforms, and trust-building practices were systematically avoided.

The isolation imposed on Öcalan, who is the primary party and address of the solution, continues both legally and in practice. He is still denied access to his lawyers and visitors.

Throughout the process, the government-appointed trustees who usurped the DEM Party municipalities were not withdrawn, and the will of the electorate was ignored. Moreover, the political bans and judicial pressure on countless Kurdish politicians remain in place.

The so-called “judicial reform” promoted by the AKP, officially titled “Draft Law on the Execution of Sentences and Security Measures and Amendments to Certain Laws,” also known to the public as the “10th Judicial Package,” was passed by the Turkish Grand National Assembly on June 1, despite widespread criticism and without contributing anything to the peace process.

The “right to hope” was not granted to those sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment. No steps were taken to improve the situation of ill prisoners, political detainees, or the thousands currently held in prisons. Equality in sentence execution was not ensured. Hundreds of prisoners who have already served their terms continue to be held in jail due to arbitrary decisions by Administrative Observation Boards.

Despite the PKK’s decisions to disarm and dissolve itself, no legal reform has been implemented. The proposed commission to discuss the Kurdish question in Parliament has not even been established.

Although this process marks the beginning of a new era not only for Turkey but also for the broader region, the Kurdish Freedom Movement has taken every step required of it. The expectation now is for the Turkish state to act without delay and take concrete steps toward genuine peace.