Imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan calls for ‘fraternity-driven charter’ in meeting with DEM Party delegation

İMRALI — A delegation from Turkey’s Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (Halkların Eşitlik ve Demokrasi Partisi, DEM Party) met with imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan at İmralı Prison, where he emphasized the urgent need for a “fraternity-driven charter” as a transformative approach to Kurdish-Turkish relations. 

In a message conveyed by the DEM Party delegation, Öcalan stressed the unique nature of Kurdish-Turkish ties, lamenting that the current dynamics are eroding the foundational bonds of brotherhood between the two communities. 

“The paradox of sibling communities locked in conflict must end,” Öcalan stated. “Neither can truly exist without the other. I am committed to dismantling the barriers and remnants that have damaged these ties, rebuilding the fractured paths and collapsed bridges step by step.” 

Öcalan also expressed deep regret over his inability to communicate with Sirri Süreyya Önder, a prominent political figure who recently passed away. He described Önder as a “wise and invaluable personality for Turkey,” mourning his loss as a significant blow to the nation’s intellectual and political fabric. 

Mezopotamya Agency reported that the DEM Party delegation, which included parliamentarian Pervin Buldan and lawyer Faik Özgür Erol, returned from İmralı after their meeting with Öcalan. The visit underscored ongoing efforts to address the longstanding conflict and explore pathways for reconciliation between Kurdish and Turkish communities.