Members of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Imrali delegation, Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder, held a second meeting with Abdullah Öcalan on 22 January. Following this meeting, which lasted four hours, the delegation briefed the DEM Party leadership. 

 According to the details shared by a DEM Party officer with Mezopotamya Agency (MA) journalist Mehmet Aslan, a state official was also present during the delegation’s second meeting in Imrali. 

The officer said that the other prisoners held in Imrali, Ömer Hayri Konar, Hamili Yıldırım, and Veysi Aktaş were not present during the two visits, but meet regularly with Abdullah Öcalan. He also mentioned that Abdullah Öcalan "works collaboratively" with these three comrades. 

Isolation imposed on Öcalan is not being lifted

According to MA news, during the second meeting, the delegation shared certain conmmunication with Abdullah Öcalan. These included statements and assessments made by the KCK and PKK leadership after the first meeting, particularly emphasizing the ongoing isolation.  The news said about the details of the meeting as conveyed by the officer: "The state also assigns Abdullah Öcalan a historical mission. However, there is no indication of steps being taken to improve the conditions. The isolation is not being lifted. Moreover, Abdullah Öcalan does not view his conditions as a personal matter. Rather than focusing on where he is, he emphasizes the importance of concluding the process in a peaceful manner. We also stress the necessity of this approach." 

During the meeting, Abdullah Öcalan highlighted the importance of creating a platform for dialogue with the government. In particular, according to the news "Öcalan considers it highly significant for this issue to be addressed on the parliamentary level. He views a democratic Turkey as a democratic legal process. Additionally, he is making great efforts to ensure the process yields positive outcomes and issued the following warning: ‘The positive or negative outcome of the process will impact everyone.’ He also sends his greetings to everyone contributing to the process in a positive way and taking it seriously." 

Addressing the causes of the problem crucial for a call to lay down arms

During the meeting, the topic of whether Abdullah Öcalan would make a call to lay down arms was also discussed. According to the MA news, Öcalan is deeply focused on removing the issue entirely from a framework of violence and conflict and working towards eliminating the causes of the problem. The  DEM Party officer, commenting on the "call to lay down arms" said: "Eliminating the root causes of the problem is very important. Otherwise, one issue ends, and another begins. The ongoing discussions in Imrali are not solely limited to this. Yes, this discussion is taking place, but it is not the sole focus. The government is trying to use this situation to highlight its own position." 

Abdullah Öcalan will soon send his message to Kurdish movement

It was noted that both Abdullah Öcalan and the Imrali delegation were more optimistic following the second meeting, during which the DEM Party delegation also shared details of the talks with political parties held after the first meeting. The DEM Party officer stated: "This meeting can be described as a preparatory meeting. Mr. Öcalan will later convey his assessment of these talks, along with his message, to the structures connected to him and the Kurdish Movement." 

The DEM Party officer summarized the meeting with Abdullah Öcalan to MA saying that "according to the outcome of the meeting, Mr. Öcalan is dedicating significant effort to constructing a model that will close the door to imperialist ambitions targeting Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Mr. Öcalan is working to ensure that people do not experience new Gazas or new Baghdads. He is striving to protect the people as a whole and to help Turkey escape from its coup mechanisms and undemocratic legal system." 

Action must be taken to avoid missing a concrete step

The DEM Party officer conveyed that Abdullah Öcalan made comprehensive assessments about the Middle East and the Kurdish question, while also drawing attention to the interventions of hegemonic powers. The officer said: "The US and Israel are now closely involved in Turkey’s regional dynamics.  The US has its own 'solution' to the Kurdish question. Mr. Öcalan is striving to construct a model that counters hegemonic interventions. What is this model? Coexistence. He remains steadfast in this vision. He continued to emphasize his insistence and warnings during the meeting. In essence, his stance can be summarized as, 'Either my solution or the US's solution.'  Mr. Öcalan remains where he was in 1993, reflecting critically on the past and building upon it with new contributions." 

The party officer also expressed the expectation of a third meeting and added:  "The government indicates that steps could be taken to remove the issue from the grounds of conflict and violence and to take it off the agenda, but no concrete initiatives have been made. This time, the opportunity to resolve the issue through democratic means must not be missed." 

DEM Party delegation may meet with again with party leaders

The DEM Party views some recent statements by AKP chair and President Tayyip Erdoğan as being more aligned with the spirit of the process and expects concrete positive steps to be taken. The Imrali delegation might hold a second meeting with the leaders of political parties represented in Parliament. In parallel, discussions are also expected to take place with the components of the Labor and Freedom Alliance and other democratic mass organizations. 

‘DEM Party will do its part’

The DEM Party officer said that the party would act in line with the will expressed by Abdullah Öcalan and develop programs aimed at achieving social reconciliation. The officer added: "As always, we will do our part."