Following the meeting of Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) MP Ömer Öcalan with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan on 23 October, a delegation of DEM Party MPs Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder went to İmralı Island on 28 December. Although both meetings with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan created excitement, bans on meetings with lawyers and families continue.

 

'MEETINGS ARE A LEGAL RIGHT'

 

Mehmet Öcalan, brother of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, evaluated the meetings and the isolation policy. Mehmet Öcalan had his last meeting with Öcalan on 3 March 2020 and stated that families of other prisoners held in İmralı have not been able to go to the island and have meetings since then. Mehmet Öcalan stressed that meetings are legal right of the prisoners. 

 

Öcalan noted that the recent meetings are important no matter what and said: "Ömer had a meeting before, but it was a family meeting. The meeting with Mrs Pervin Buldan and Mr Sırrı Süreyya Önder was of a slightly different scope. However, this process needs to continue. In terms of the Kurdish issue, we see the visits to İmralı as positive. Mr Abdullah Öcalan's attitude is clear as always; He wants a democratic solution and everyone knows this. Those who go to the talks also know this. However, we do not know what the state's aim is."

 

Mehmet Öcalan pointed out that PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan's democratic solution perspective is a model not only for Kurds but also for all peoples in the Middle East and therefore the talks must continue. 

 

'EVERYONE MUST FULFIL THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES'

 

Stating that the government is aware of the importance of the Kurdish problem for the Middle East even though it does not put a name to the discussions on a solution, he said: "If this problem is solved, the peoples of the region will be relieved. For this reason, everyone must fulfil their responsibilities. We want the meetings to continue and a democratic solution-orientated process to move forward."

 

MA / Delal Akyüz