On Sunday, the Peoples' Democratic and Equality Party (DEM Party) issued a statement summarizing their Saturday meeting (December 28, 2024) with Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), at İmralı Prison.

The DEM Party confirmed that Ocalan, detained since 1999, is in good health and maintains high morale. The meeting focused on recent developments in the Middle East and Turkey, with Ocalan reportedly offering "positive solution proposals against the dark scenarios being imposed."

In the statement, Ocalan emphasized the importance of fostering Kurdish-Turkish brotherhood, calling it both a "historical responsibility" and a "vital necessity for all peoples." He urged political parties in Turkey to adopt constructive approaches, warning against "temporary and narrow calculations." Ocalan highlighted the Turkish Parliament as a critical venue for advancing dialogue and cooperation.

Addressing recent remarks by Turkish officials on resolving the Kurdish issue, Ocalan expressed his willingness to participate in the process, stating, "I have the capacity and will for necessary positive participation in Erdoğan and Bahçeli's call for dialogue." He characterized the current era as one of "peace, democracy, and brotherhood for Turkey and the region."

Ocalan also commented on broader regional issues, noting that events in Gaza and Syria underscore the urgency of resolving the Kurdish issue. He called for an end to external interference that complicates the process, stressing that further delays are unacceptable.

The DEM Party revealed that Ocalan instructed them to share his perspectives with the Turkish state and political parties. He voiced optimism, asserting that these efforts could elevate Turkey to its "deserved level" and contribute to broader democratic transformation.

The meeting took place amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing discussions about a potential resolution to the decades-long Kurdish conflict in Turkey. The DEM Party, a pro-Kurdish political movement and successor to the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), continues to advocate for democratic solutions and Kurdish rights.

Abdullah Ocalan, the founder of the PKK—designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union—remains a polarizing figure. Despite his imprisonment, he retains significant influence over Kurdish political movements and discussions regarding peace in Turkey.

This latest development signals a potential shift in addressing the Kurdish issue, with hopes that it could lead to renewed dialogue and reconciliation efforts.