Turkey’s Pro-Kurd Party Anticipates Historic Declaration from PKK Leader

Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party DEM is anticipating a “historic declaration” from imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. A delegation will visit him on Thursday to discuss potential peace efforts, marking the third visit in months. The outcome may significantly affect the long-standing conflict and the Kurdish peace process in Turkey.

Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Democratic Regions Party (DEM) announced expectations for a “historic declaration” from Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), on Thursday, amid ongoing efforts to resolve a prolonged conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state. A delegation will visit Öcalan at his prison on Imralı Island to discuss potential peace initiatives. This visit marks the third time DEM representatives have met with the PKK leader in recent months.

The DEM party has expressed hope that Öcalan can convey a peace appeal through a video message instead of written communication; however, approval from the justice ministry for this method remains unconfirmed. The social and political dynamics in Turkey have led to rising anticipation surrounding Öcalan’s potential message, which may urge peace and lay down arms in return for concessions regarding the rights of the Kurdish population.

The visit includes significant figures from the DEM, including co-chairs Tulay Hatimogullari and Tuncer Bakirhan, alongside the veteran Kurdish politician Ahmet Turk, who has played a pivotal role in the Kurdish issue dialogue. The meeting follows previous discussions that have taken place since late December, reflecting an initiative encouraged by Turkish nationalist leader Devlet Bahceli. This initiative suggests that a public appeal for peace from Öcalan could shift the longstanding conflict between the PKK and Ankara, although the specific impact of such an appeal remains uncertain.

The decades-long struggle, which began in 1984, has resulted in over 40,000 fatalities, exacerbating tensions between the PKK and Turkey. A previous peace process collapsed dramatically in 2015, resulting in the cessation of official communications between the parties involved. Thus, the outcomes of Thursday’s meeting and the anticipated declaration from Öcalan could be pivotal in shaping the future of the Kurdish conflict and peace dialogue in Turkey.

In summary, Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party DEM is poised for a significant meeting with PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, forecasting a historic declaration that may encourage peace efforts in resolving the Kurdish conflict. This visit symbolizes renewed talks that could impact relations between the PKK and the Turkish government, aiming to end decades of violence. The outcomes of these discussions remain uncertain, particularly regarding Öcalan’s capacity to influence PKK members through his anticipated message.

Original Source: www.france24.com