Jailed politician Demirtaş gives 'full support' to PKK leader Öcalan's peace efforts

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A delegation from Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy ( DEM) Party on Jan. 11 visited former Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş and former Diyarbakır Mayor Selçuk Mızraklı at Edirne Prison.

The delegation comprised MP Pervin Buldan, Parliamentary Group Deputy Chair Sırrı Süreyya Önder, and Ahmet Türk, former co-mayor of Mardin replaced by a trustee.

Following the approximately three-hour meeting, Sırrı Süreyya Önder said that Demirtaş and Mızraklı were in good health and spirits.

"They asked us to convey that they fully support and contribute to the developing process,” the group chair stated. 

Selahattin Demirtaş later issued a statement on social media.

“I reiterate my full trust and support for our party, DEM Party, and especially for Mr. Abdullah Öcalan, who is making significant efforts for a democratic solution and peace on İmralı Island," began Demirtaş's statement.

He identified "public support" as the most critical issue during this period, calling for transparency.

"It is crucial for a language of peace to prevail in all circles. Those addressing these issues must avoid threats, blackmail, disparaging rhetoric, and provocative statements. Instead of pursuing empty and meaningless rhetoric about winning or losing, everyone should focus on building a shared future where we all emerge victorious," he said.

Demirtaş said he and the party named the process the "Democratization, Peace, and Fraternity Process," although efforts from government circles were being made to "avoid" naming it.

The former party leader was vocal in his support for Öcalan, "If Mr. Öcalan assumes the initiative on this matter when conditions allow, we will stand with him."

"The potential call and its initiative rest entirely with him. As he has noted, the responsibility for establishing the legal and political groundwork for such a call lies with the government and parliament," he added. 

Demirtaş acknowledged and appreciated the "genuine goodwill" around the process, but "swift and confidence-building steps" were necessary to take concrete form. 

"We are ready to provide all support necessary to end the conflicts that have caused unspeakable suffering and drained the country’s energy for years and to ensure political peace. However, political peace will only become lasting if it brings about societal peace—that is, democratization, equality, justice, and freedoms—by opening all channels of struggle. This approach will benefit everyone and the country as a whole", Demirtaş stated. 

The former party leader also thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the government ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, head of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Özgür Özel and other party leaders for the initiatives they have taken or will take for peace in this "critical and historic" period.

Demirtaş concluded by saying, "Finally, I want to emphasize that the majority of Kurds look toward and align themselves with Turkey. I believe that if peace and a strong democracy are established, we can all emerge from this process as winners. I hope and expect the Republic of Turkey to turn its face toward all Kurds and work toward building a great and honorable peace.”