The repercussions of the meetings held on October 23 and December 28, 2024 with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has been held in İmralı Type F High Security Prison under heavy isolation conditions for 26 years, continue. Following the meeting of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) Imrali Delegation with Abdullah Öcalan, the 7-point solution perspective was made public and a series of meetings were held with political party representatives. 

 

While the delegation is expected to go to İmralı once again, we asked citizens in Amed (Diyarbakır) about the talks and the approach of the state and the government. 

 

'PEACE IS POSSIBLE WITH ÖCALAN'S FREEDOM'

 

Mehmet Aydoğmuş stated that they no longer trust AKP Chair and President Tayyip Erdoğan due to his past practices and demanded concrete steps to be taken. Aydoğmuş said, “The AKP was a bit good when it first came to power, but then it sank into the swamp. Now Erdoğan is persecuting everyone. We want a sincere peace with concrete steps. For 40 years this case has not been solved and it must be solved now. As Kurdish people, we want what our Leader (Abdullah Öcalan) wants. Peace can only be possible if Öcalan is free or put under house arrest.” 

 

Reminding that the murdered Apê Musa was put on trial in 1961 for a Kurdish poem he wrote in Kurdish, Dursun Özen said that they want peace and brotherhood and that they should be treated honestly in this regard. Emphasizing that they want to receive public services in their mother tongue, Özen said, “Kurds must be given the same rights as Turks in the Constitution. We also have martyrs, our mothers are heartbroken too. From this day on, there must be no games and honest behavior. We are ready for peace if the conditions are met.”

 

Esra Bars emphasized the importance of Abdullah Öcalan's freedom in the solution of the Kurdish issue and said, “Prisons are overflowing right now. When libertarian steps are taken, the Kurdish issue will really be solved. As a Kurd, I was taught in English in primary school, but not in my mother tongue Kurdish. I am 20 years old and I still don't know Kurdish. This is my deficiency as well as the country's deficiency.” 

 

Emphasizing that they insist on “peace” despite all oppression and persecution, Abdullah Karakaş said that no concrete step has been taken so far. Reacting to the dual policy of the government, Karakaş said, “On the one hand they appoint trustees and on the other hand they call it a solution. If they want a solution, they should first give us our rights. We have struggled so much, have we struggled in vain? Would we accept without giving our rights?”  

 

'THE STATE MUST TAKE THE STEP'

 

The demands of the Kurdish people are clear and concrete steps must be taken for this said Abdullah Öcalan and added, “Without concrete steps, nothing will improve. Turkey needs to take the first step. When the first step is taken, positive results will surely come from the other side. The Turks and Kurds will either act together or disappear together. There is no other alternative. We live here together. This is not the homeland of only one nation. There are many nations living in this region. The first step to be taken by the Turkish state is the release of all political prisoners, including Abdullah Öcalan.  A solution cannot be found by bringing information back and forth. They should sit face to face and talk. If there will be a result, there will be, if not, there will not."

 

“How long will it go on like this?” asked Maşallah Ece and said, ”The doors of the prisons must be opened. The state must first release Abdullah Öcalan. If they let him go, there will be peace, if not, there will be no peace.”

 

'RIGHTS MUST BE GIVEN'

 

Adil Baymış stated that Abdullah Öcalan is sincere about the solution, but the AKP-MHP's approach is not sincere and said, “President Tayyip Erdoğan comes to Amed and uses the words ‘our fight against terrorism will continue’ as if he does not need to take positive steps. How can we talk about a peace process here? There is no step from the AKP. They are constantly trying to take things to different places. Concrete steps need to be taken. Journalists, politicians and teachers should not be arrested. Enough is enough.” 

 

Baymış said that warplanes are constantly taking off from Amed and added, “Kurds need to be given their rights, they need to establish their status, they need to speak in their mother tongue. The government itself needs to take a step, make a promise so that they can sit at the table.” 

 

MA / Şirvan Şilan Çil - Heval Önkol