DEM Party Marks International Day of Peace with Nationwide Events in Northern Kurdistan

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DEM Party) will launch a series of coordinated public activities on Monday across 20 cities in Southeast Turkey (Northern Kurdistan), underlining its commitment to advancing the stalled peace process.

Senior DEM party officials announced that the activities, which include rallies, community meetings, and cultural events, are designed to stress the significance of peace and dialogue, particularly in light of Abdullah Ocalan’s latest message from prison.

The DEM Party confirmed that simultaneous activities will be organized in major urban centers, including Istanbul, Urfa, Mardin, and Diyarbakir, drawing participation from large crowds and party co-chairs.

Organizers emphasized that the events aimed to reaffirm that the International Day of Peace, marked annually on September 1, should serve as a reminder of the urgent need to pursue reconciliation and democratic solutions to longstanding conflicts.

Party officials said the DEM Party views the peace process not only as a political dialogue but also as a vital framework for coexistence, social stability, and the recognition of Kurdish rights.

Ocalan: “True Peace Only Possible When Weapons Fall Silent”

The statement coincided with the release of a new statement by Abdullah Ocalan, who remains imprisoned on İmralı Island. In his message, Ocalan stressed that peace is not merely a political choice but a historic and strategic necessity.

“Our call for peace and democratic resolution is not a simple political step, but a historic stage,” Ocalan wrote. “In Turkey and across the Middle East, a new era can only begin when a life of peace and democracy replaces war and destruction.”

He warned that genuine peace cannot be realized without the silencing of weapons and the cessation of armed conflict.

“A real peace will only emerge when weapons are silenced, when freedom, democracy, and justice take root in every aspect of life,” he stated, urging both Kurds and Turks to embrace this “historic responsibility.”

Ocalan’s message, published on Sunday, followed a meeting between DEM Party delegates and the imprisoned leader on İmralı. According to the delegation, Ocalan had offered a comprehensive assessment of the peace process, its phases, and the challenges that continue to obstruct progress.

The DEM Party underlined that the September 1 activities mark the continuation of a broader movement that seeks to revive dialogue and prevent further escalation of conflict.

By organizing synchronized gatherings across Turkey and Kurdistan, the party signaled its determination to keep the issue of peace at the center of public debate, while amplifying Ocalan’s message that genuine reconciliation can only be achieved through practical steps and international support.