Preparations by DEM Party to visit İmralı: Representatives of other political parties may also meet with Öcalan

img

ANKARA – DEM Party Spokesperson Aysegul Dogan stated: “We are planning to make a visit to İmralı Island as soon as possible. It is highly likely that Mr Öcalan will also meet with representatives of various political parties.”

Aysegul Dogan, the spokesperson for the Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, held a press conference at the party’s headquarters regarding the ongoing Central Executive Board meeting. She noted that one of the main topics discussed during the meeting was the proposed establishment of a parliamentary commission.
 
‘A COMMISSION SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED’
 
Stating that a specially authorized commission should be formed in the Parliamen, she called on Speaker of the Parliament Numan Kurtulmus to “take initiative.” Aysegul Dogan said: “This is a very simple initiative. But it will assume a historic responsibility to resolve a very serious, very complex, and very deadly issue. Therefore, it requires a serious approach; this issue cannot be resolved with a simplistic mindset.” 
 
Saying “The Kurdish issue is not only the problem of the Kurds,” she added: “What we are experiencing is proof of this. Therefore, when democratic resolution and peace are seen as political, social, and humanitarian necessities, and approached accordingly, Parliament can act swiftly. As DEM Party, we have preparations concerning the procedures, substance, and functioning of such a commission. We have a draft and suggestions.”
 
PREPARATION TO VISIT İMRALI
 
Aysegul Dogan stated that opposition parties they have met with demand “direct contact, communication and transparency on the issue.” She said they have also met with the ruling party AKP and MHP and talks will continue: “We are not only speaking with political parties represented in Parliament. Talks are also ongoing with various parties not represented in Parliament, and this will continue in the new period. Written statements have been released following these meetings.”
 
Aysegul Dogan continued: “As DEM Party, we are preparing to visit İmralı Island. We plan to conduct a visit there as soon as possible. With a delegation composed of our MYK members, including our co-chairs, we are preparing for direct dialogue and consultation with him [Öcalan]—to better understand this period, to explain our perspective, and to organize more strongly. We will visit him as the DEM Party delegation as soon as possible. It is also highly likely that Mr. Öcalan will meet with representatives of other political parties in the coming days.”
 
DESIRE TO MEET WITH KDP AND PUK REPRESENTATIVES
 
Aysegul Dogan further stated: “Given the scope and gravity of the issue, we believe it would be beneficial for him to meet with Mr. Mesut Barzani, Mr. Nechirvan Barzani, Mr. Mazloum Abdi, Mr. Qubad Talabani, and Mr. Bafel Talabani. We know that he wants to hold these meetings as well. We want to share this with the public. This is Mr. Öcalan’s request, and we also believe it would be beneficial. Meeting with leaders and prominent figures from different political parties is highly valuable and necessary for the coming period.”
 
DISCUSSIONS ON THE “PERSPECTIVE”
 
Aysegul Dogan noted that Mr. Öcalan has presented a “perspective text” to his organization, a kind of political program: “But it is clear in this text that the discussion space he opens is not limited solely to his organization or to the PKK. As DEM Party, we must express that there is a tremendous effort, labour, determination, and resistance aimed at building a new life.”
 
She added: “This text is quite extensive and invites public debate and dialogue. It creates space for words and consultation. It establishes a ground for discussion and conversation. That’s why we value criticism, responses, contributions, and support—because this is precisely the space Mr. Öcalan is inviting us into: a place for discussion, speaking, critique, consultation, and enhancing the value and impact of discourse. This is what is currently being discussed with this strong text. A broad public is now engaging with this text.”
 
DIRECT CONTACT NEEDED FOR RESPONSES
 
Aysegul Dogan said: “In the end, the text is being debated and invites a new space within a discussion framework. What’s in this text? There are some interventions regarding entrenched paradigms and traditional behaviors, ranging from real socialism to sectarianism and the perspective of communal living. That’s why it has garnered a very broad public impact. We believe that for this debate to proceed more clearly and healthily, all parties wishing to establish direct contact with Öcalan should do so.
 
This is not the first time we are saying this. The emergence of this text once again demonstrated the need. If this space expands, and if conditions for free engagement are established, then managing, conducting, and advancing the process will be much faster and healthier.
 
You are writing history, starting a new period, and taking a major initiative. With this initiative, you are also taking certain risks. Only those who are willing to take these risks can minimize them. Therefore, this space needs to be opened; for the process to progress and gain momentum, direct contact must be established with all necessary parties. This has always been one of our expectations.”

View More Articles

11/07/2025
20:17 Davutoglu: What we must do now is leading the new era
20:12 I hope this step will bring good results says Erdogan
20:09 Bese Hozat: We took this step with a clear decision
17:07 Echo of historic ceremony in Amed: Demand constitutional guarantees for those who lay down arms
16:51 CHP Chair Ozel: Process must be managed in Parliament with swift and decisive steps
16:27 Names of participants in historical ceremony of PKK
16:15 We reached end of our work on commission says Parliament Speaker
16:04 Peace Mothers: The state has no more excuses, it must take action
15:32 Nechirvan Barzani: Important and encouraging step
14:36 People watch historical ceremony of PKK with rapt attention
14:13 Footage of historic ceremony of PKK
14:08 Critical threshold has been passed says AKP Spokesperson
14:07 Founding leadership of the PKK kept his promise says Bahceli
13:21 Details of historic ceremony: Legal regulations needed
12:51 KCK Executive Council Co-chair Besê Hozat led historic ceremony
12:44 First images from historic ceremony
12:29 Delegation leaves the site after witnessing historic ceremony
11:58 Peace and Democratic Society Group: We voluntarily destroy our weapons
11:26 Ceremony to be in Şikefta Casenê
11:12 DBP, HDK, and DEM Party arrive at ceremony site
10:58 People awaiting for the “Peace and Democratic Society Group”
10:02 ‘Dream Travelers’ to commemorated with events: Let’s unite on a common ground
10:00 International delegation heads to ceremony site
09:11 Citizens participating in public meetings: The state must take steps
09:10 Ali Bozan: It’s turn of the state to take steps
09:09 Spent 30 years in prison: Ill prisoners should be release for peace
09:09 Tuberculosis patient prisoner subjected handcuffed examination for 3 years
08:07 Delegation on the way to Sulaymaniyah for ceremony
10/07/2025
16:35 He releases from prison after 30 years: We will continue the struggle
16:04 Journalists heading to PKK ceremony: We will witness historic moments
14:35 Call against increasing repression by the Iranian regime
12:33 People set off from Amed for PKK's ceremony
12:22 Censorship of Ajansa Welat by Instagram
12:19 Future of process depends on the government's attitude says Journalist Er
10:42 She lost 2 children during conflicts: Commission must be established, steps must be taken
10:29 Sile Municipality Mayor Kabadayı detained
10:26 Call from Roboskî to mothers of soldiers: If we join hands, peace will come
10:13 KCK: We are determined to take the step Leader Apo has asked of us
09:27 Nature of Şirnex to be plundered with 10 new energy activities
09/07/2025
22:04 Ocalan's video message celebrated in North and East Syria
21:46 Details of the Damascus meeting: 10 March agreement must be fully implemented
21:21 Abdullah Aksu releases from prison after 31 years
21:05 DAANES and transitional government meeting ends
16:38 Mayor Karalar and Deputy Mayor Sahin dismissed
16:19 Roadmap of Ocalan for solution will contribute to shaping future says DBP Co-chair
15:40 DEM Party will be in Sulaymaniyah on 11 July says Aysegul Dogan
15:15 AANES Delegation to meet with transitional government
14:21 After 26 years Amed citizens heard Öcalan: Urgent steps must be taken
13:58 Abdullah Öcalan’s historic call echoes in international media
13:42 Politicians and intellectuals to depart for ceremony in Sulaymaniyah