ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Far-right Turkish politician Devlet Bahceli on Tuesday said that the status of jailed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan is key to advancing the peace process, calling for the PKK leadership to assume a role in a transition from armed struggle to politics.

“The PKK laying down arms is not, by itself, a final result. In this context, discussing Abdullah Ocalan’s status is important for us,” the far-right official said in an address during his Nationalist Movement Party’s (MHP) parliamentary group meeting.

Bahceli argued that it is not possible to advance properly with the peace process “by pretending this issue does not exist,” adding “if there is a lack of status for Abdullah Ocalan, this should be addressed in a way that serves the process aimed at a terror-free Turkey.”

He suggested naming this effort a “peace process and political transition coordination,” emphasizing that “our goal is for the founding leadership of the PKK to take on a role under this definition.”

The MHP leader’s remarks echoed a similar call by the PKK’s leadership in a press conference earlier in the day, saying that Ocalan must be granted the conditions to work freely to inspire belief that the process is progressing and for it to reach a conclusion.

The presser was held on the anniversary of the group’s decision to disband in a congress held on May 2025, in response to a historic call made by Ocalan in February where he directed the the PKK to dissolve and disband, bringing an end to the decades-old conflict.

The PKK leaders also called on Ankara to take the necessary legal and judicial steps to build a legal system that ensures freedom of expression and democratic politics.

Days prior, senior PKK commander Murat Karayilan said in an interview that Ankara is “freezing” the peace process by not implementing necessary steps. “The state and the government have done nothing legally. There is no reassuring legal situation.”

The ongoing peace process has been largely stalled following the regional unrest that developed in late February, after the US and Israel jointly attacked Iran. Ocalan has not received any visits for over a month.

On February 18, the Turkish parliament approved a report drafted by the committee tasked with overseeing the implementation of the process. The report called for non-violent actions and freedom of expression not to be labeled as “terrorism,” and for the reintegration of members who gave up their weapons back into society.

The peace process in Turkey was initiated last year by Bahceli, who urged jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan to address the Turkish parliament and call on his group to disarm.