Pervin Buldan, a member of the Imrali Delegation of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), spoke to Medya Haber TV’s Gündem program to discuss current developments. Buldan provided information about the meeting held with Abdullah Öcalan on October 3.
“Mr. Öcalan was extremely energetic, in high spirits, and confident. We had a long and productive meeting. We saw a healthy, determined, and enthusiastic Öcalan,” she stated.
‘There has been no change in Öcalan’s conditions’
Buldan said they also had a brief meeting with other prisoners on Imrali, saying, “Hamili Yıldırım had undergone a minor operation, but he joined the meeting when he heard we had arrived. The other prisoners were in good health. There has been no change in Mr. Öcalan’s conditions.”
Commenting on the process, Buldan said, “Claims that the process has stalled are not true. The pedal is turning, albeit slowly. Despite setbacks, the process continues. Improving Mr. Öcalan’s working conditions is of great importance. When conditions change, he can be more directly involved in the peace process.”
‘Important steps must be taken mutually’
Reporting on the latest meeting held in Imrali, Buldan said Öcalan emphasized that the process was at a critical stage. “Mr. Öcalan said that important steps must be taken mutually. He strongly emphasized this. He warned that groups opposed to the process will gradually gain strength if reciprocal steps are not taken. He always says this. I would also like to express that it is problematic for a process which should not be stalled and requires rapid reciprocal steps, to progress so slowly. We constantly express this in our meetings. We are critical of the way the Commission has worked so far. We also state that the sluggishness regarding the required legal steps and legal regulations must be eliminated as soon as possible. We are going through a process that requires great sensitivity, taking into account the sensitivities of those who oppose the process.
The process is progressing slowly, but we have entered a new phase that requires Mr. Öcalan’s conditions to change, the Commission process to accelerate and its work to be concluded, and at the same time the legal and judicial framework to emerge. Of course, society is closely following these developments. On the one hand, there is the issue of distrust, and on the other, a segment of society is highly critical. In response to all of this, I emphasize that both sides must take swift reciprocal steps.”
Pervin Buldan stated that the Commission established in the context of the parliamentary process is about to conclude its hearing phase, which is expected to end next week with the hearings of women and young people, before a final re-hearing of Minister of Foreign Affairs and MIT (Turkish intelligence service) President İbrahim Kalın.
‘The commission should go to Imrali as soon as possible’
“We expect the Commission to then go to Imrali and meet with Mr. Öcalan. Mr. Öcalan also has high expectations in this regard. During our last meeting, he once again shared his assessment regarding the Commission, its function, and its possible visit to Imrali. He stated that the Commission established in Parliament is extremely valuable, as he has repeatedly emphasized in the last few meetings. He closely follows the Commission’s work. In every meeting, he receives specific information from our delegation on this matter. In the last meeting, he stated that time was passing quickly, saying, “The commission should come to Imrali as soon as possible.” Mr. Öcalan is demanding that the pace of the peace and resolution process be accelerated. He stated that the commission could contribute to accelerating this pace by going to Imrali. The commission should meet with Mr. Öcalan after the hearings. There is no concrete date at this time. We expect a five-member delegation from the commission to go to Imrali within 1-2 weeks after the hearings are completed.”
‘A five-member delegation consisting of Commission members is planned to go to İmralı’
Pervin Buldan added, “A five-member delegation consisting of representatives from parties with parliamentary groups is planned to go to İmralı. That is the information we have been provided. There are also parties without parliamentary groups, and they are also part of the Commission. However, we have no information on whether any of them wish to go. However, since there are group representatives from five political parties, one person from each of them will definitely go. I would like to point out that it is not clear whether those without a group will go or not. There is no possibility of Mr. Numan Kurtulmuş going to the island. Such a thing has not been brought up. Mr. Öcalan has not mentioned this either. Only a five-member delegation consisting of Commission members is planned to go.”