After a visit to Selahattin Demirtaş on Saturday, the İmralı Delegation of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) today visited the former HDP Co-Chair Figen Yüksekdağ and former HDP MP Semra Güzel imprisoned in Kocaeli Prison.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Sırrı Süreyya Önder said, “Their health and morale were good. They send their greetings to the whole public opinion.”

Önder pointed out that: “She will also make a statement on the process tomorrow. But she asked us to convey to you that they are ready to fulfil whatever falls on them. I was released from prison 5 years ago. We spoke here back then. This country has lost 10 years. Two things that are impossible to replace are lost lives and time. All the martyrs and veterans who lost their lives and health in this conflict have been the honour of our whole country. The greatest gift we can give them will be to end this conflict and crown it with peace. After that, it is the duty of all of us as a society to support everyone who is alive and to be a comrade to those who have lost their lives. We are in this seriousness and sincerity. We are the ones whose hearts are torn out and who have paid the price in this matter. We feel all the pain in our hearts.”

Önder continued: “Peace is something we have to establish by looking into the eyes of our children. Children do not deserve a legacy of conflict in which they have no involvement. Our responsibility is to leave them a country in peace. There are very speculative discussions. This is a language as damaging as weapons, arguing about the division of the country, two languages, two flags, etc... Such a thing is not on our agenda, we have neither discussed nor even hinted at such a thing. There is no such thing. What we are trying to establish is peace. We are ready to meet with anyone who wants to dispel their doubts, to explain our concerns, to listen to their suggestions and warnings. My only request is that this toxic language be put aside.

 We are conducting a transparent and open process. But there are two keys to this. One is seriousness, the other is sincerity. It is our right to expect this from everyone as a minimum. This issue does not only concern us, the delegation, but all of us. We expect a positive contribution from all. We will not change our language. This is the maximum point we can come up against such aggressive language. The public will appreciate sincerity. We have been on the road for a week, meeting people who demand peace, hug us, tell us to hurry up and warn us from time to time. On this issue, the conscience of the people points to the truth. Pigeon butchers, those who look at two deaths with one eye, should not be tolerated. This is the responsibility of all of us.”

Asked if the delegation will meet with the Kurdish parties, Sırrı Süreyya Önder said their party is planning to do so, adding: “We will not exclude any social segment.”