Parliamentary Commission Green-lights Visit to İmralı Prison, CHP Opts Out
By Bosphorus News ·
The Millî Dayanışma, Kardeşlik ve Demokrasi Komisyonu (National Solidarity, Brotherhood & Democracy Commission) of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) has approved, by a 3/5 qualified majority, a plan to send a parliamentary delegation to İmralı High Security Prison to meet PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan.
The decision was made during the commission’s 18th session, chaired by TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş.
According to reports, the meeting was held in a closed session, underlining the sensitive nature of the discussions.
Notably, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) has declined to participate in the delegation. CHP Group Deputy Chair Murat Emir said the decision to go to İmralı should not be made without broader transparency; he also expressed concern that only a small 5-person delegation might go while much of the process remains behind closed doors.
The commission’s decision also comes against the backdrop of Turkey’s declared goal of building a “terror-free Turkey.” According to the TBMM’s own announcements, since its establishment in August the commission has heard from more than 130 institutions, NGOs, academics, and community leaders.
The İmralı visit is widely seen as part of a broader “solution process” aimed at political dialogue. As reported by Euronews, the commission has been tasked to help transition from armed conflict to democratic participation.
Some parties that supported the motion, including AKP, MHP, DEM Party, TİP, and EMEP, said the visit is a critical step toward peace.
On the other hand, dissenters — such as DSP, HÜDA-PAR, and DP — voted against it, while Yeni Yol Group abstained from the vote.
According to commission rules, parties now have until 28 November to submit concrete proposals and recommendations for the final report that will frame the next phase of the process.