Ahead of PKK Congress, DEM Party Delegation to Meet Erdogan and Öcalan
Çiğdem Öçer, co-chair of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP), criticized Ankara’s continued silence on Öcalan’s peace proposals, accusing the Turkish government of neglecting a viable peace path.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – As the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) prepares to hold a long-anticipated congress on disarmament, political momentum is building in Turkey, with a delegation from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (DEM Party) expected to hold pivotal meetings with both President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan.
According to Turkish news outlet HaberTürk, the congress is scheduled to convene in April with the goal of formally initiating the PKK’s withdrawal from armed struggle—a move that could signal a dramatic shift in the Kurdish question in Turkey and beyond.
DEM Party Delegation to Meet Erdogan, Then Visit Imrali
In preparation for the congress, the DEM Party’s “Imrali Delegation” is reportedly set to meet President Erdogan in the coming days. The Turkish presidency is expected to schedule an official meeting with the pro-Kurdish bloc, signaling a potential thaw after years of political gridlock.
Following the Erdogan meeting, the DEM Party delegation is slated to visit Imrali Island, where Öcalan has been imprisoned since 1999. This would mark the fourth time the delegation has met with the PKK leader.
Öcalan is expected to once again call for the designated terrorist organization by EU, US and Turkey (PKK) to lay down arms and pursue a political path forward, echoing a similar appeal he made on February 27, in which he urged his organization to “end the armed struggle and redefine its role.”
Öcalan’s February Call Yet to Yield Concrete Results
Despite Öcalan’s public call for disarmament over a month ago, the PKK has yet to act on the appeal, prompting renewed speculation about the group’s internal deliberations. The upcoming congress, however, could be the platform for a formal decision.
The Turkish Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli was among the first to urge Öcalan to push the PKK toward de-escalation five months ago, laying the groundwork for recent developments.
In a recent statement commemorating Öcalan’s April 4 birthday, the PKK’s executive leadership emphasized the widespread demand for Öcalan’s release, declaring, “The people want to see Öcalan as a free man among them—his release is a necessity.”
DBP Co-Chair: Government Must Stop Ignoring Peace Initiatives
Meanwhile, Çiğdem Öçer, co-chair of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP), criticized Ankara’s continued silence on Öcalan’s peace proposals, accusing the Turkish government of neglecting a viable peace path.
“The Turkish state has remained mute in the face of a clear call for peace,” she said. “This is unacceptable. So far, the government has failed to respond meaningfully to Öcalan’s message.”
She warned that without government engagement, the opportunity for a renewed peace process could slip away, even as grassroots and political forces push for a negotiated settlement to the Kurdish issue.
A New Chapter for the Kurdish cause?
Observers note that recent developments hint at the early stages of a new political process aimed at resolving the decades-long Kurdish conflict. The DEM PARTY, for its part, has reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful, democratic Turkey free from terrorism, while urging Ankara to return to meaningful dialogue.
The disarmament congress, if held as planned, could mark a significant turning point not only for the PKK, but also for the broader Kurdish movement across the region. The coming weeks will determine whether political will, both from Kurdish factions and the Turkish state, can converge to revive a long-stalled peace process.
