DEM Party leaders visit imprisoned politician Selahattin Demirtaş amid renewed hopes for peace in Turkey

EDIRNE, Turkey — In a significant political gesture amid renewed discussions surrounding peace in Turkey, the Co-Chairs of the People’s Equality and Democracy Party (Halkların Eşitlik ve Demokrasi Partisi, DEM Party) visited Selahattin Demirtaş, the former Co-Chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (Halkların Demokratik Partisi, HDP), at Edirne Prison.

Following the visit, DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan told reporters that Demirtaş is in good health and remains closely engaged with current developments in the country. Bakırhan reaffirmed Demirtaş’s continued commitment to the peace process and expressed hope that Turkey would move toward dialogue and reconciliation.

“Demirtaş remains optimistic,” said Bakırhan. “He is determined to support any initiative that promotes democratic peace in Turkey.”

The visit comes at a pivotal moment, as Ankara explores steps to revive stalled peace efforts. Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş is expected to meet with DEM Party leaders in the coming days to discuss forming a parliamentary committee that would oversee a new phase of peace negotiations.

Bakırhan also emphasized the need to release political prisoners, particularly those connected to the Kobane trial, noting that such actions are essential for creating an environment conducive to meaningful dialogue. He cited multiple rulings by the European Court of Human Rights calling for Demirtaş’s release.

These developments follow a notable announcement from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (Partiya Karkerên Kurdistanê, PKK), which publicly destroyed some of its weapons — a move welcomed by the US State Department as a “positive step” toward disarmament and a potential breakthrough in the long-standing conflict.

The DEM Party delegation, which also included Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları, stressed that Demirtaş’s voice remains vital as Turkey approaches what could become a defining chapter in its modern political history.