Turkey’s Kurdish Leaders Advance Peace Talks with Jailed Politician

A delegation from Turkey’s Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) met jailed Kurdish leader Selahattin Demirtas, marking a significant effort to resolve the country’s 40-year conflict. The engagement follows previous discussions with PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, emphasizing a potential path toward peace. Turkish President Erdogan has also called for the disbandment of the PKK, hinting at a shift in political dynamics aimed at fostering democracy.

On Saturday, a delegation from one of Turkey’s major pro-Kurdish parties, the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), met with Selahattin Demirtas, a leading figure in the Kurdish movement who is currently incarcerated. This meeting marked a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to resolve the longstanding conflict that has persisted for 40 years. Demirtas has been imprisoned since 2016 on charges viewed by many, including the European Court of Human Rights, as being politically motivated.

The meeting occurred just weeks after DEM representatives conversed with Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Since the 1980s, the PKK has led an armed struggle against the Turkish state. In contrast, DEM emerges as the latest political entity advocating for leftist Kurdish nationalism, often facing severe state repression, including the imprisonment of its members and the banning of political parties.

Following the meeting, Demirtas emphasized the importance of working towards a unified future that benefits all involved parties. He acknowledged Ocalan’s potential role in persuading the PKK to lay down arms. Ocalan, incarcerated since 1999 following his treason conviction, remains influential within Kurdish communities despite his imprisonment.

Ahmet Turk, a member of the DEM delegation, expressed the need for mutual dependence among Turks and Kurds, envisioning a democratic Turkey that could lead to stability in the Middle East. The PKK-Turkish state conflict, ongoing since 1984, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and has been marked by various attempts at peace, most of which have failed.

Erdogan, in a recent address to supporters, called for the complete disbandment of the PKK and its disarmament. He posited that this would enable the DEM to flourish, reinforcing a unified front against regional conflicts and paving the way for the conclusion of over half a century of separatist violence.

The current momentum for peace was notably supported by Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party. In a surprising statement, Bahceli proposed the possibility of Ocalan being granted parole should he renounce violence. This suggestion received backing from Erdogan, coinciding with indications from Ocalan of his willingness to engage in peace negotiations.

The recent meeting between DEM leaders and jailed Kurdish figure Selahattin Demirtas highlights a significant step towards resolving Turkey’s decades-long conflict involving the PKK. Both political leaders and imprisoned figures show a willingness to pursue peace. This ongoing dialogue signals a renewed effort to address the historical grievances and political challenges faced by the Kurdish population in Turkey, amid calls for democratic reforms and the cessation of violence by both sides.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com