![A supporter of the Pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) holds a picture of HDP's nominated presidential candidate Selahattin Demirtas who is currently in prison after being arrested in 2016 as part of a terror investigation at an election rally on May 4, 2018 in Istanbul, Turkey [Chris McGrath/Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-954680326-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Imprisoned Turkish-Kurdish politician, Selahattin Demirtas, has announced support for renewed peace talks between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terror group, expressing hope for the “permanent end to conflicts and violence”.
Over the past few months, unofficial efforts have been taken to restart and bolster peace talks between the PKK and the Turkish state, with the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahceli – a partner in the current coalition government – calling for imprisoned PKK leader, Abdullah Ocalan, to denounce and disband the group in potential return for his release.
The government has subsequently allowed pro-Kurdish MPs and politicians from the
Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) party to meet with Ocalan on Imrali island – where he has been detained for the past 25 years – in order to advance that agenda, resulting in a positive response from the imprisoned militant leader.
Now, jailed Turkish-Kurdish politician, Selahattin Demirtas, has given his public support for the peace talks, saying in a statement published on social media on Saturday that “as actors engaged in democratic and peaceful politics, we desire, demand and support the permanent end to conflicts and violence”.
— Selahattin Demirtaş (@hdpdemirtas) January 11, 2025
Stressing that “we will stand with Mr Öcalan if he is to take initiative in this regard when the conditions arise”, he said that “as politicians, our role and mission is to strengthen the ground for peace, to encourage and urge the parties for peace and to facilitate peace.”
Demirtas further announced that “we are ready to provide all kinds of support for the elimination of the conflicts that have caused unspeakable suffering in these lands for years and consumed all the energy of the country, and for the establishment of a political peace.”
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