'Bird of peace' still has only one wing 

2025-09-29 12:03:54


	NEWS CENTER - One year has passed since Devlet Bahçeli shook hands with DEM Party members and called for the "right to hope". While Abdullah Öcalan took historic steps in this process, not a single step was taken in response to Bahçeli's words "The bird must have a second wing in order to fly peace". 

	 

	With the impact of the developments in the Middle East on Turkey, the door to a new process regarding the solution of the Kurdish issue has opened. Turkish Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) General Devlet Bahçeli, one of the executors of the policies of denial against the Kurds, made a surprise appearance at the opening of the new legislative year of the Parliament on 1 October 2024 and shook the hand of Tuncer Bakırhan, Co-Chair of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, and party MPs. Immediately afterwards, talks began with the Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan, who had not been heard from for 43 months. 

	 

	On 22 October, Bahçeli called on Öcalan to "speak in the parliament" in a statement he made in the parliament. Bahçeli also mentioned the "right to hope" for the first time. In the event that Öcalan "cries out for the dissolution of his organisation", he asked that the way be paved for the legal regulation on the "right to hope". 

	 

	BAHÇELİ'S WORDS WAS LEFT HANGING FOR 1 YEAR 

	 

	Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair and President Tayyip Erdoğan kept silent for a while against these statements. However, in the following period, he announced his support for Bahçeli in terms of his messages. 

	 

	The most effective and historic steps in this process came from Abdullah Öcalan. Öcalan called on the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) to evolve the Kurdish issue from conflict to democratic politics. Then the PKK convened its 12th Congress and dissolved itself and held a weapons disposal ceremony on 11 July in Silêmaniyê (Sulaymaniyah) in the Federated Kurdistan Region. 

	 

	Öcalan's calls and the PKK's decisions had wide repercussions all over the world. One year has passed since the process, which the Kurdish side characterised as the "Peace and Democratic Society Process". However, no concrete steps have yet been taken to solve the Kurdish issue and democratise the country. 

	 

	The National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission established in the Parliament has not yet completed its work. Bahçeli's remarks on the "right to hope" have not yet been reciprocated. 

	 

	There have been many developments in the 1-year period affecting the balances in the Middle East, especially in Kurdistan and Turkey. Here are the developments day by day: 

	 

	UNEXPECTED COMMENT FROM BAHÇELİ 

	 

	October 1: Erdoğan said in Parliament that "after Palestine and Lebanon, Turkey will be the next place Israel will set its eyes on" and gave a message to "keep the home front intact". Bahçeli shook hands with DEM Party deputies in the Parliament. Bahçeli said about this surprise greeting: "We are entering a new era. While we want peace in the world, we need to ensure peace in our own country." 

	 

	October 3: Bahçeli told a journalist, "It was the speech of our President that moved me to action."

	 

	October 7: Kurdish Communities Confederation (Koma Civakên Kurdistanê-KCK) Executive Council Co-chair Besê Hozat said: "If Devlet Bahçeli, AKP and Erdoğan have such an intention and approach, come on, Imrali is there." 

	 

	October 8: At the group meeting, Bahçeli said, "The hand I extend is the message of our national unity and brotherhood. The hand I am extending is the wish and offer to become a party of Turkey, to take a front against terrorism."

	 

	October 8: DEM Party Co-chair Tülay Hatimoğulları said: "We want an honourable peace. We are ready for negotiations and dialogue on this issue. It is not enough to appear in front of the camera and say two words; it is possible to talk about a solution by announcing a plan and programme to the public."

	 

	October 8: On 13 October, the planned rally against isolation in Amed (Diyarbakır) was banned. 

	 

	October 9: AKP President Erdoğan said, "We hope that the value of the hand extended by the People's Alliance (AKP-MHP alliance) will be understood by its interlocutors."

	 

	October 13: Kurds did not listen to the ban and gathered at the "Freedom Rally" in Amed. 269 people were detained in 36 provinces. 

	 

	CALL FOR 'RIGHT TO HOPE' 

	 

	October 22: Devlet Bahçeli spoke for the first time about the "right to hope". Bahçeli invited Öcalan to the parliament and asked him to "shout that the organisation has been dissolved" if the isolation is lifted. Bahçeli said: "If he shows this persistence, the way for the legal regulation on the use of the right to hope should be opened wide open. Let the address extend from İmralı to DEM". 

	 

	October 22: Bahçeli's response was not delayed. DEM Party Co-chair Tülay Hatimoğulları said: "The interlocutor of peace in the Middle East and Turkey is Mr Abdullah Öcalan, who is under severe isolation in İmralı. The way to a solution is the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. We are ready to take the initiative. As a start, the isolation should be lifted". 

	 

	October 22: Republican People's Party (CHP) Chair Özgür Özel said: "Mr Devlet raised his hand. I am also raising my hand and offering a state to the Kurds. I am offering all Kurds who do not feel that they fully belong to the Republic of Turkey to be the owners of the state of the Republic of Turkey."

	 

	October 23: An armed attack was carried out against the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) in Ankara. PKK claimed responsibility for the action. In the PKK's statement, it was stated that the attack was carried out by an "autonomous" team and that "this action has nothing to do with the political agenda that has been discussed in Turkey in the last month".

	 

	FIRST CONTACT WITH ÖCALAN

	 

	October 24: Öcalan's nephew, DEM Party Riha (Urfa) MP Ömer Öcalan, travelled to İmralı.  Ömer Öcalan shared the following message from Abdullah Öcalan: "Isolation continues. If conditions are created, I have the theoretical and practical power to move this process from the grounds of conflict and violence to the legal and political grounds"

	 

	October 24: PKK Executive Committee member Murat Karayılan said: "Any search for a solution that does not centre on the freedom of Leader Apo is null and void for us. (...) Developing dialogues by approaching Leader Apo within the framework of Mandela's law can bring a radical solution to the issue."

	 

	ERDOGAN: BAHÇELI SHOULDER ALL RESPONSIBILITY

	 

	October 30: Erdoğan said, "Mr Devlet is a leader who always makes a note in history and draws a direction with his wisdom and experience. Mr Bahçeli shoulder all responsibility. With him, we have a much greater opportunity. This window of opportunity should be well utilised by the nation and the political establishment. Dear Kurdish brother, we expect you to hold this hand with sincerity and hold it tightly." 

	 

	KAYYUM APPOINTMENTS CONTINUED 

	 

	October 30: Ahmet Özer, the mayor of Esenyurt Municipality in Istanbul, which was won with the "Urban Consensus", was detained. 1 day later, a kayyum (trustee) was appointed to the municipality. Ozer was arrested. 

	 

	November 4: Trustees were appointed to the DEM Party-controlled Mêrdîn Metropolitan Municipality, Êlih and Xelfetî (Halfeti) municipalities of Riha. 

	 

	November 5: Devlet Bahçeli asked Abdullah Öcalan to "disband the organisation" and defended the appointment of trustees to DEM Party municipalities by claiming that they were "linked to the organisation". 

	 

	November 5: Ahmet Türk said, "There can be no dialogue with a stick in one hand, and no one is in a position to exploit us. Kurds are a politicised people today. Kurds know what they want."

	 

	BESÊ HOZAT: WE ARE BEHIND THE WILL OF LEADER APO

	 

	November 6: Besê Hozat, pointing to the meeting in İmralı after 43 months, said: "Leader Apo is ready. We are also behind the will of Leader Apo."

	 

	November 7: Detention operations were carried out against Kurdish institutions and Kurdish politicians in Izmir.

	 

	November 8: Erdoğan said, "Nothing will change in our fight against terrorism" and targeted North and East Syria. 

	 

	November 20: Co-mayor of Colemêrg (Hakkari) Mehmet Sıddık Akış, who was replaced by a trustee, was sentenced to 9 years in prison. Dêrsim (Tunceli) Co-Mayor Cevdet Konak and Pulur Mayor Mustafa Sarıgül were sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison each.

	 

	VISIT BAN TO IMRALI

	 

	November 21: Asrin Law Office announced that Öcalan was given a new 6-month visit ban.

	 

	November 22: Trustees were appointed to DEM Party's Dêrsim and CHP's Pulur municipalities.

	 

	BAHÇELİ: FACE-TO-FACE MEETING SHOULD NOT BE DELAYED

	 

	November 26: Devlet Bahçeli said, "We stand by what we have said since our group meeting on 22 October 2024. We expect face-to-face meeting between İmralı and the DEM Group to be made without delay, and we repeat our call with determination."

	 

	November 26: Announcing its support for the call for talks between the DEM Party and Abdullah Öcalan, the New Walfare Party stated that the AKP should also support this call. The party said, "Whatever message is to be received, let it be received. Turkey should stop beating water in a mortar." 

	 

	November 29: A kayyum was appointed to Miks (Bahçesaray) Municipality of Wan (Van). 

	 

	ATTACKS ON NORTH AND EAST SYRIA

	 

	December 8: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) takes control of Damascus. The Assad regime was overthrown. 

	 

	December 9: Stating that the attacks against North and East Syria will continue, Erdoğan said, "Turkey will not tolerate the emergence of new terrorist outposts beyond its borders." 

	 

	December 10-13: Protests started in many cities due to the increase in attacks. A watch action was started at the Qamişlo (Qamishlo) border in Nisêbîn (Nusaybin) district of Mêrdîn (Mardin). 

	 

	December 14: Intellectuals and writers made a statement on the solution of the Kurdish issue: "We call for the urgent steps necessary for the start of a peace and democracy process."

	 

	December 16: The Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) issued a 10-point declaration for dialogue in the construction of a new Syria. It was stated there is a need to be united to carry out the process adn the policies of denial must end. DAANES called for the all political forces must take their place in the construction of a new Syria. 

	 

	December 16: Democratic Institutions Platform started "Democratic Solution and Freedom March" from Amed to Ankara. 

	 

	December 17: PKK Executive Committee member Murat Karayılan said, "Political steps should be taken and the ground should be created so that Leader Apo can play a role and make efforts for a solution." 

	 

	December 17: "Turkey should be one of the biggest supporters and defenders of the constitutional rights of the Kurds in Syria," said Bülent Kaya from the Saadet Party. 

	 

	December 18: Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said, "Turkey continues its attacks by abusing the ceasefire. It is now a well-known fact that Turkey is occupying the region and trying to displace the people." 

	 

	December 19: Journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin, who were following the developments in North and East Syria, were targeted on the road between Tişrîn (Tishreen) Dam and Sirîn town. Two journalists were killed in a Turkish drone strike. 

	 

	December 20: "Democratic Solution and Freedom March" ended in Ankara.  

	 

	December 27: One thousand 43 names, including intellectuals, writers and politicians, called for urgent steps to be taken for the "peace and democracy process" to begin. 

	 

	ÖCALAN: I HAVE THE WISDOM AND DETERMINATION

	 

	December 28: The first visit to İmralı took place. İmralı delegation members Pervin Buldan and Parliamentary Deputy Speaker Sırrı Süreyya Önder travelled to İmralı.

	 

	December 29: Abdullah Öcalan's statement " I possess the necessary competence and determination to provide the required positive contribution to the new paradigm supported by Mr. Bahçeli and Mr. Erdoğan. The delegation will share my perspective with both the state and political circles. In this context, I am ready to take the necessary positive steps and issue a call." 

	 

	December 31: Bahçeli interpreted the meeting in İmralı as "the impetus for a good beginning". Bahçeli also said, "There is no such process as a new solution or an opening." 

	 

	CONTACTS OF THE IMRALI DELEGATION

	 

	January 2: CHP leader Özgür Özel made a statement regarding the process: "I say 'yes' to the new process to be carried out sincerely and transparently." 

	 

	January 6: The DEM Party İmralı Delegation's contacts started. Speaking after the meeting with the Fecility (Saadet) Party, Sırrı Süreyya Önder said, "We will establish peace together." "We will try to support," said Mahmut Arıkan, chair of the Felicity Party. 

	 

	January 7: Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Federated Kurdistan Region, arrives in Ankara for talks with Erdogan.

	 

	January 7: CHP Chair Özgür Özel met with the DEM Party İmralı Delegation and he emphasised the need for a commission in the Parliament in which all political parties participate. 

	 

	January 2-8: The İmralı delegation held meetings with the Speaker of the Parliament Numan Kurtulmuş and political party leaders.

	 

	January 8: A vigil started at the Tişrîn Dam against Turkey's attacks. 

	 

	January 9: Erdoğan and Bahçeli met.

	 

	January10: Co-Mayors of the DEM Party-run Akdeniz Municipality in Mersin, Hoşyar Sarıyıldız and Nuriye Arslan, and council members were detained, 

	 

	January 11: İmralı delegation visited Selahattin Demirtaş, Figen Yüksekdağ and Leyla Güven in prison. All 3 names expressed their support for the process. 

	 

	January 13: A kayyum was appointed to Akdeniz Municipality.

	 

	January 13: Sırrı Süreyya Önder, who met with Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı, said that Öcalan's position is clear and that he prioritised the security of Kurds as much as their freedom.

	 

	January 13: SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi received Kurdistan Democrat Party (KDP) Chair Masoud Barzanî's representative Dr Hemîd Derbendî.

	 

	January 15: Referring to the contacts of the İmralı delegation, Erdoğan said, "I see that the delegation's contacts were positive. If the necessary call is made and the terrorist organisation and related structures take the necessary steps, the winner will be the whole of Turkey with its Turkish and Kurdish members. If the terrorist organisation turns a deaf ear to the call and throws flour on the rope, then we will achieve our goal of a terror-free Turkey through other methods."

	 

	January 18: Cemil Bayık, Co-chair of the KCK Executive Council, said that the isolation should be lifted for Öcalan to play his role, but the state has not taken any steps for democratisation. 

	 

	January 18: Theatre actor Bavê Teyar (Cûma Xelîl Îbrahîm) lost his life in the Turkish attack on Tişrîn. 

	 

	SECOND VISIT TO IMRALI 

	 

	January 22: The İmralı delegation met with Öcalan for the second time. A short statement was made due to the Bolu fire and it was stated that "Mr Öcalan's work on the process continues. Necessary explanations will be made to the public after his preparations on this issue are completed."

	 

	January 26: Head of the National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) İbrahim Kalın travelled to Damascus for the second time and met with Ahmet el-Shara, President of the Syrian Transitional Government.

	 

	January 27: Journalist Aziz Köylüoğlu was killed in a Turkish airstrike in Ranya district of Silêmaniyê. 

	 

	January 29 : A kayyum was appointed to the DEM Party-run Sêrt (Siirt) Municipality.

	 

	January 28-29: Amed City Protection and Solidarity Platform met with political parties in Ankara as part of the process. 

	 

	January: Turkey's airstrikes on northern and eastern Syria killed 41 people. 245 people were also injured. 

	 

	MONTH OF HISTORICAL EVENTS

	 

	February 11: Wan (Van) Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Abdullah Zeydan was sentenced to 3 years and 9 months in prison. 

	 

	February 12: The PKK stated, "A new process will begin with the expected statement of Leader Apo. Not everything will be realised with a statement and not only Leader Apo will do everything. As the problem is all of us, the responsibility is also all of us." 

	 

	February 13: Diyarbakır Governorate banned the commemoration of Şêx Seîd (Sheik Said) and his friends on the grounds that it would "disrupt public order". 

	 

	February 15: A kayyum was appointed to the Wan Metropolitan Municipality.

	 

	February 15: Journalist Egît Roj was killed in the Turkish airstrike on Tişrîn. 

	 

	February 16-19: The İmralı delegation met with Massoud Barzani, Nechirvan Barzani and Bafil Talabani in the Federated Kurdistan Region. 

	 

	OPERATION AGAINST HDK 

	 

	February 18-21: 52 people, including political party executives, trade unionists, artists and journalists, were detained in operations against the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK). 30 people were later arrested.

	 

	February 24: A kayyum was appointed to DEM Party-ruling Qaxizman (Kağızman) Municipality in Qêrs (Kars).

	 

	HISTORIC CALL FROM ÖCALAN

	 

	February 27: İmralı delegation expanded. A 7-member delegation consisting of Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Pervin Buldan, Tülay Hatimoğulları, Tuncer Bakırhan, Cengiz Çiçek and Özgür Erol travelled to İmralı. The delegation shared Öcalan's message with the public on the same day. In his message Öcalan said: "As in the case with any modern community and party whose existence has not been abolished by force, would voluntarily do, convene your congress and make a decision; all groups must lay their arms and the PKK must dissolve itself." Sırrı Süreyya Önder quoted Abdullah Öcalan as saying to the delegation: "Undoubtedly, in practice, laying down arms and the PKK's dissolution require the recognition of democratic politics and the legal dimension." The call had a wide repercussion all over the world. In addition to the United Nations, many countries around the world made statements of support for Öcalan's message. 

	 

	ERDOGAN: A NEW PHASE HAS BEGUN

	 

	February 28: Erdoğan said about Öcalan's call: "As of yesterday, a new phase has started in the efforts for a terror-free Turkey, which started with the courageous initiative of our People's Alliance partner Mr Devlet Bahçeli and advanced with our determined attitude. In front of us, there is an opportunity to take a good step towards the goal of demolishing the terrorist wall built between our thousand-year brotherhood. We believe that it is the most appropriate method to be carried out with calmness, patience and sincerity. There will be those who do not want this problem to end permanently, absolutely and definitively. In this process, we will show the highest level of caution against any provocation and take all necessary measures. When the pressure of arms and terrorism is removed, the democratic space of politics will naturally expand further." 

	 

	MARCH

	 

	March 1: The PKK Executive Council declared a ceasefire. It was stated that they follow the call of Abdullah Öcalan and they declared a ceasefire. 

	 

	March 1: Bahçeli said, "The statement read to the public by the DEM delegation on 27 February 2025 and written in İmralı is valuable and important from beginning to end". 

	 

	March 2: The People's Defence Forces (Hêzên Parastina Gel-HPG) Headquarters Command stated that the PKK's ceasefire declaration was valid for all its forces and said, "This decision must be fully complied with."  

	 

	March 6: The HPG announced that Turkey carried out 828 attacks despite the ceasefire decision. 

	 

	March 10: When asked about Abdullah Öcalan's call, Kurtulmuş said: "The parliament is the place to solve all problems of Turkey. We will also step in when necessary. The parliament will fulfil its responsibility". 

	 

	March 10: A 10-point agreement was signed between SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi and the President of the Syrian Interim Government, Ehmed al-Shara. 

	 

	March 12: The İmralı delegation started to visit political parties again. 

	 

	March 13: HPG Press Liaison Centre announced that Turkey carried out 715 attacks in 2 days despite the ceasefire decisions.

	 

	March 13: Cemil Bayık called for a "mobilisation for Abdullah Öcalan's freedom". 

	 

	March 10-16: DEM Party, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) and Free Women Movement (Tevgera Jinên Azad-TJA) reached 50 thousand people within the scope of "Public Meetings for Peace and Democratic Society" and informed the public about the process. 

	 

	March 19: Duran Kalkan said, "There is talk, but no practice", adding that the government and the state did not take any steps. Kalkan said that no one could take a decision in a congress without Abdullah Öcalan.

	 

	March 20: Bahçeli celebrated Newroz, targeted the CHP and, giving a date, demanded that the PKK convene its congress in Malazgirt district of Mûş to put an end to the dissolution debate.  

	 

	March 20: Erdoğan said, "We are both determined and sincere. We expect the same sincere and constructive approach from our opponents." 

	 

	March 21: Murat Karayılan stated that the process should be led by Abdullah Öcalan and that the attacks should stop in order for the congress to convene. 

	 

	March 21: Millions shouted for Öcalan's freedom in the Newroz areas. The government was urged to "take steps". 

	 

	March 23: Ekrem İmamoğlu was ordered to be arrested for "corruption". 

	 

	March 25: DEM Party and DBP delegation went to the Federated Kurdistan Region and made some contacts. 

	 

	March 28: According to Asrin Law Office's 4-month report, 52 family and lawyer visit applications for Öcalan and 3 prisoners in İmralı Prison were left unanswered. 

	 

	March 31: Öcalan and İmralı prisoners Ömer Hayri Konar, Hamili Yıldırım and Veysi Aktaş held talks with their relatives on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr.  Abdullah Öcalan sent a message: "I salute our people’s enthusiastic support of the Call for Peace and a Democratic Society during Newroz. I extend my greetings for both Newroz and Eid al-Fitr."  

	 

	The HPG Press Liaison Centre said, "In March, the Federated Kurdistan Region attacked our war tunnels in the Media Defence Areas 11 times with chemical weapons, 9 times with banned weapons and 9 times with drones loaded with explosives. At the same time, the resistance areas were bombed 169 times by warplanes, 98 times by attack helicopters and 11,289 times by heavy weapons, artillery and howitzers." 

	 

	APRIL

	 

	April 1: Young people started the march from Amed to Amara. 

	 

	April 2: HPG Press Liaison Centre stated that despite the inactivity in March, a total of 11 thousand 585 attacks were carried out against them by Turkey. 

	 

	April 4: The march ended in Amara in the Xelfetî (Halfeti) district of Riha. Abdullah Öcalan's freedom was shouted at the feast organised. 

	 

	April 7: HPG announced that 2 HPG fighters lost their lives in the drone attack in Garê. 

	 

	April 10: DEM Party's İmralı delegation met with President Tayyip Erdoğan. The meeting lasted 1 hour and 25 minutes and Sırrı Süreyya Önder said, "It was a very positive meeting. We are much more hopeful".

	 

	April 13: Cemil Bayık said, "Our only condition is that the isolation imposed on Leader Apo in İmralı Prison is lifted and he can work freely." 

	 

	April 15: Sırrı Süreyya Önder was hospitalised due to a heart attack. 

	 

	April 18:  HPG announced that there were 627 attacks in total on 15-18 April. 

	 

	April 19: Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (Yekîtîya Niştimanî ya Kurdistan-YNK/PUK) Chair Bafel Talabani announced that the PKK congress could not be convened due to Turkish attacks. 

	 

	April 21: İmralı delegation members Pervin Buldan and Faik Özgür Erol met with Abdullah Öcalan. Öcalan said, "I see that many people are visiting the hospital where Önder is staying, showing loyalty to his legacy. Real loyalty means putting his efforts for peace into practice." 

	 

	April 21: AKP Deputy Chair and Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik said, "There may be new developments this month." 

	 

	April 22: HDK, DEM Party and DBP met with many political parties in Hewlêr (Erbil) as part of their visit to the Federated Kurdistan Region.

	 

	April 24: DEM Party delegation met with Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç. Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit said, "We stated that the conditions of Mr Öcalan are the most important topic and that these conditions must be corrected without any buts and buts." 

	 

	April 24: A delegation including DBP Co-Chair Keskin Bayindir and DEM Party MPs travelled to North and East Syria. 

	 

	MAY

	 

	May 2: The HPG announced that Turkey bombed areas in the Federated Kurdistan Region 76 times during April despite the ceasefire decision. 

	 

	May 3-4: Sırrı Süreyya Önder died in the hospital where he was being treated. Önder was sent off to his last journey with a ceremony held at Atatürk Culture Center (AKM). 

	 

	May 6: Erdoğan met with Bahçeli. 

	 

	PKK HELD ITS CONGRESS

	 

	May 9: The PKK announced that its 12th Congress was held between 5-7 May. DEM Party made a statement: "Today we are in a historical witnessing of one of the most important and critical thresholds of Turkey's recent history". AKP Deputy Chair Hasan Basri Yalçın said, "Whatever statement the PKK will make, we will welcome it." 

	 

	May 10: "Democratic Unity Initiative" was announced in Amed. The meeting called on the state to take steps to solve the Kurdish issue.  

	 

	May 12: The final declaration of the PKK's 12th Congress stated, "We have finalised our work." The declaration stated that the congress was attributed to Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun, two of the PKK's leading cadres who lost their lives. It was emphasised that the implementation of the decisions of the 12th Congress of the PKK, which was held with the participation of 232 delegates in total, requires Abdullah Öcalan to lead and direct the process, the recognition of the right to democratic politics and a solid legal guarantee. 

	 

	May 12: Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan underlined that the decision taken by the PKK was historic and important. 

	 

	May 12: Interpreting the PKK's statement as "the seeds of peace have been watered with hope and have blossomed", Bahçeli said, "I express my gratitude to Abdullah Öcalan, the founding leader of the PKK, the Imrali-DEM delegations and the co-chairs of the DEM Party who have taken on the historical responsibility." 

	 

	May 12: Erdoğan said, "We find the decision taken important in terms of the security of our country and the eternal brotherhood of our nation. We are taking firm steps towards our goal of 'free-terror Turkey' by overcoming obstacles, breaking prejudices, breaking the traps of sedition and discord. We find the decision taken important for the security of our country and the eternal brotherhood of our nation. We consider this statement as a decision that covers all extensions of the organisation." 

	 

	May 13: Abdullah Öcalan said: "It is with great sadness that I have learned of the martyrdom of Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun. I would like to express my deepest condolences and respect for their memory, with the intention of conducting a comprehensive assessment in their honor at a later date. Their place in our struggle for national existence and democratic communalism is eternal. They will continue to play their roles as fundamental inspirational values for the paradigm and institutionalization of the new era." 

	 

	May 18: The İmralı delegation met with Abdullah Öcalan. 

	 

	May 19: Former Parliament Speaker Bülent Arınç, one of the founders of the AKP, said, "The right to hope is an important right. It applies not only to Öcalan, but to everyone in the same situation." 

	 

	JUDICIAL PACKAGE 

	 

	June 4: The 10th Judicial Package, criticised by the DEM Party and opposition parties, was adopted by the General Assembly of Parliament. No regulation on prisoners was included in the package. 

	 

	June 4: Serxwebûn newspaper published the full perspectives sent by Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan to the 12th Congress of the PKK and all documents related to the congress. 

	 

	June 5: HPG announced that 2 guerrillas lost their lives in the attacks against Zap region on 27 and 30 May. 

	 

	June 6: Bahçeli said, "Today's holiday is far beyond painful periods. All political parties should embrace such a period and there should be no need for social tension. Coup d'état laws must be eliminated. Parliament has an important duty after the Eid. With the statement made by the founding leader Abdullah Öcalan, the decision was taken to dissolve the PKK and lay down arms." 

	 

	6 June: Tuncer Bakırhan called Eren Bülbül's mother and wished her a happy Eid. During the meeting, Ayşe Bülbül expressed her support for the process, saying "Mothers should not cry anymore". 

	 

	8 June: Abdullah Öcalan and 6 other prisoners in İmralı held Eid visits with their families. Abdullah Öcalan was able to meet his child nephews for the first time in 26 years during the Eid visit.

	 

	June 17-18: 16 heads of bar associations from Kurdistan travelled to Ankara and held a series of meetings with representatives of political parties on the Constitution and the process agenda. A 17-point solution proposal was presented to the parties represented in the Parliament. 

	 

	June 26: Buldan and Mithat Sancar met with Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş. Pervin Buldan said: "The process has reached an important stage and we will share these in the coming days." Sancar, on the other hand, emphasised that the Parliament would play a vital role in securing the process legally.  

	 

	June 26: Ankara 22nd High Criminal Court announced the justification for the convictions of 36 politicians in the Kobani Case, which was announced on 16 May 2024. The reasoned judgement consists of 32,630 pages.  

	 

	July 1: The European Forum for Freedom and Peace (EFFP), which includes academics, intellectuals, politicians and journalists who were forced to go abroad due to the repression in Turkey, has launched a campaign "I want to visit Abdullah Öcalan" to meet with Öcalan. 

	 

	July 2: KCK Executive Council Member Mustafa Karasu stated that a section within the state wants to disrupt the process and said, "The state should make an effort to understand the process correctly. The way to this is to ensure the freedom of Leader Apo."

	 

	July 5: Zeydan Karalar, Deputy President of Turkish Bar Association (TBB), Abdurrahman Tutdere, Mayor of Semsûr (Adıyaman) and Muhittin Böcek, Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality were detained.

	 

	July 6: İmralı delegation met with Öcalan. "We have seen that the hope, confidence and belief in the contribution of this process to the democratisation process of Turkey as a whole is extremely strong," the statement said. 

	 

	July 7: İmralı delegation members Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar met with AKP President Tayyip Erdoğan. The meeting lasted about 1 hour.  

	 

	July 7: Mehmet Öcalan and his guardian Mazlum Dinç met with Abdullah Öcalan. 

	 

	July 8: Submitting a new "action plan" to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on "aggravated life imprisonment", Turkey reiterated its exemption of Abdullah Öcalan from the "right to hope".  

	 

	July 8: Manavgat Mayor Niyazi Nefi Kara and Adana Metropolitan Mayor Zeydan Karalar were arrested. Semsûr Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere was released on judicial control. 

	 

	VIDEO MESSAGE FROM ÖCALAN 

	 

	July 9: A video message featuring Öcalan and his fellow prisoners was broadcast. Abdullah Öcalan said, "The level that has been achieved is highly valuable and historically significant. The efforts of the comrades who bridged this communication is equally valuable and praiseworthy.I believe not in the arms, but in the power of politics and social peace and call on you put this principle into practice."  

	 

	July 9: Zeydan Karalar and Büyükçekmece Deputy Mayor Ahmet Şahin were suspended from office. 

	 

	July 10: The KCK said on Abdullah Öcalan's call, "We are determined to take the step that Leader Apo asks us to take. It should be known that the process will not proceed unilaterally and only with the steps we will take. The process should be approached correctly and the necessary steps should be taken."  

	 

	WEAPON BURN CEREMONY 

	 

	July 11: The Peace and Democratic Society Group organised a weapons disposal ceremony in Şikefta Casenê in the countryside of Silêmaniyê following Öcalan's call. KCK Executive Council Co-Chair Besê Hozat, Nedim Seven, Tekoşin Ozan and Tekin Muş took part in the group. The Peace and Democratic Society Group made a statement: "From now on, we destroy our weapons with our free will in order to carry out our struggle for freedom, democracy and socialism through democratic politics and law, and on the basis of the enactment of democratic integration laws."  

	 

	July 11: Erdoğan said, "I wish that the important step taken today will be instrumental for good. May Allah Almighty grant us to reach our goals on this path we are walking for the security of our country, the peace of our nation and the establishment of lasting peace in our region." 

	 

	July 12: Erdoğan stated that a commission will be established in the Parliament and said, "We will start discussing the legal needs of the process under the roof of the Parliament." Erdoğan said, "Now we will sit down and talk. Not with guns. We will talk face to face, heart to heart. We will establish a commission in the Parliament and start discussing the legal needs of the process under the roof of the Parliament."

	 

	July 12: Turkey shelled Amêdiye countryside 5 times with mortars.

	 

	July 16-18: The İmralı delegation met with Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç and political parties. 

	 

	July 19: Cemil Bayık said, "If you don't remove the infrastructure that leads to armed struggle, the PKK will lay down arms, but tomorrow someone else will take up arms."

	 

	July 25: Lawyers from the Asrin Law Office petitioned the Committee of Ministers for their client Abdullah Öcalan's "right to hope", asking it to initiate a violation procedure due to Turkey's failure to take steps for more than 11 years.

	 

	July 25: İmralı delegation met with Abdullah Öcalan. Veysi Aktaş, who was held in İmralı F-Type High Security Prison, was released after 31 years and 3 months. 

	 

	July 28: Öcalan met with his guardian Mazlum Dinç and his nephew Ömer Öcalan as part of a family visit. "Mr Öcalan maintains his hope and determination for peace and democratic solution and underlines that 'the participation of all segments in the process is a vital need' in order for the process to proceed in a healthy way," Ömer Öcalan said. 

	 

	PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED

	 

	August 5: The National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission established in the Parliament held its first meeting. Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş said: "The new period must be a period in which politics, thought and conscience are spoken more. But it is time to speak even louder about the possibilities and power of freedom, equality and justice as well as security." 

	 

	August 6: Mustafa Karasu stated that the establishment of a commission in the Parliament is important, but the first meeting they will have should be with Abdullah Öcalan and said, "It is unthinkable that this commission will be very functional without discussing with Leader Apo."

	 

	August 8: The HPG announced that Turkey's attacks continued between 24 July and 7 August. 

	 

	August 8: In a message sent to the Mexmûr Camp, Öcalan said, "The people in Maxmur, in Europe, and all refugees, I think as follows; all of your returns will be collective, and we will determine the geography. Do you want to return? We will assume that the demand for return will be about half-and-half. We must think of return collectively. Within this framework, convey my greetings to the people of Maxmur. On this basis, I send my deep and endless greetings and love to the entire people of Maxmur, especially the women and youth." 

	 

	August 9: The Syrian transitional government announced that it would not participate in the planned talks with the SDF in Paris.

	 

	August 9: Murat Karayılan, one of the HPG commanders, pointed out that the commission has an important role and said, "We are a party to the issue and our opinions should be taken into consideration. Our chief negotiator is Leader Apo, and we hope that they will apply to Leader Apo for this." 

	 

	August 21: Peace Mother Nezahat Teke, who was invited to the commission established in the Parliament, was prevented from speaking in Kurdish. 

	 

	August 28-29: The İmralı delegation met with Öcalan. Öcalan was quoted as saying that "Democratic society, peace and integration are the three key concepts of this process". 

	 

	August 31: HPG announced that many attacks took place between 8-31 August. 

	 

	August 31: In his message on 1 September, Öcalan said, "Real peace is possible only when freedom, democracy and social justice are embodied in all areas of life. This social transformation is the main task of the new period ahead." 

	 

	COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS' DECISION 

	 

	September 1: Öcalan sent a message to the conference organised by Rûdaw Research Centre. Abdullah Öcalan stated that the fate of the Middle East will change if the process in Turkey succeeds and added: "I call on all Kurds to meet on democratic grounds and unite." 

	 

	September 2: Bahçeli made a statement: "It should be known to everyone that the SDF and YPG must abide by the memorandum of understanding signed with the Syrian government on 10 March, otherwise military intervention will become inevitable with the joint will of Ankara and Damascus." 

	 

	September 4: Mustafa Karasu, pointing to the work of the commission, stated that "Leader Apo should speak in the Parliament". 

	 

	September 5: MHP Deputy Chair Feti Yıldız suggested that a few people selected from the commission established in the Parliament should meet with Öcalan. 

	 

	September 12: Bahçeli said, "Peace is not a bird with one wing. In order for peace to fly, it must have a second wing. The only wing of peace was realised by Öcalan. Now we have reached the stage of what the conditions for living together should be." 

	 

	September 13: Murat Karayılan, in a video message for the Kurdish Culture Festival, said, "We must be ready for every possibility. But above all, we must take forward Leader Apo's Peace and Democratic Society move and the march for democratic socialism in a strong way." 

	 

	September 15: İbrahim Bilmez, Raziye Öztürk and Cengiz Yürekli, lawyers from Asrin Law Office, held a lawyer meeting in İmralı for the first time in 6 years. 

	 

	September 16: Numan Kurtulmuş said, "It is the main task of our commission to mature the work as soon as possible and to bring it to a final conclusion." 

	 

	September 16 Stating that the state, not the Kurds, is the party that needs to take steps regarding the process, Duran Kalkan said, "Everything will change if Leader Apo is allowed to do politics, if he becomes free to do politics, if he becomes able to carry out democratic political work. The solution comes from Leader Apo."

	 

	September 17: Asrin Law Office stated that Abdullah Öcalan pointed out the need for legal solutions that would cover the "interim period" laws, and quoted Abdullah Öcalan as saying "He stated that the peace and democratic society process has reached the stage of legal solutions due to the progress it has made".

	 

	September 18: The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe put the "right to hope" on its agenda. The Committee gave Turkey until June 2026. The Committee also referred to the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission, which was established with the Peace and Democratic Society Process, and asked for a regulation. 

	 

	September 20: Sending a letter to the 32nd Musa Anter and Free Press Martyrs Journalism Awards ceremony, Öcalan said: "We are carrying out a process aimed at building Peace and a Democratic Society. Its success will require a genuine and valuable effort. My belief and hope in its success are strong. It should not be forgotten that when words meet truth, they are very powerful; they are creative and guiding. With this truth, it is a historical responsibility for valuable press workers to play their role with responsibility and contribution in this matter."

	 

	Tomorrow: Message of Abdullah Öcalan 

	 

	MA / Berivan Altan