Turkey’s pro-Kurdish DEM party is expecting a “historic declaration” from PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan during a planned prison visit. This visit aims to facilitate peace talks to resolve the decades-long conflict with the Turkish state, which has seen significant violence and loss of life. The delegation hopes Ocalan will make his peace appeal through a video message.
Turkey’s leading pro-Kurdish party, the Democratic Regions Party (DEM), has announced expectations for a “historic declaration” from Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). A delegation from the party is scheduled to visit Ocalan at his prison on an island near Istanbul, with hopes that he will issue a peace appeal amid ongoing efforts to resolve the longstanding conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state.
The visit, which follows two previous meetings with DEM lawmakers, aims to set the stage for Ocalan to call for the cessation of hostilities. This latest engagement has been supported by Turkey’s justice ministry, allowing for continued dialogue after years of escalated tensions stemming from the PKK’s insurgency that began in 1984 and has resulted in over 40,000 deaths.
The DEM delegation, including prominent party figures, plans to urge Ocalan to deliver his anticipated message via video instead of written communication. Turkish media report that the extent and content of Ocalan’s appeal, particularly regarding concessions for the Kurdish minority in exchange for peace, remain unclear. However, there is a growing sense of urgency as the Turkish government re-engages with the PKK under the influence of the ultra-nationalist leader Devlet Bahceli, a close ally of President Erdogan.
The anticipated meeting between DEM party members and Abdullah Ocalan signifies a new effort to bridge the divide in the longstanding Kurdish conflict. With hopes high for a peace appeal, the Turkish government’s renewed engagement reflects the critical nature of these discussions amid a historically violent backdrop. The results of this visit could have significant implications for the future of Kurdish relations in Turkey and the potential for peace.
Original Source: www.france24.com
