Commission members demand legal guarantees for Imralı visit: They recalled Sırrı Süreyya Önder

MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli stated that the commission established in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) as part of the second opening process, of which he is the architect, should hear from terrorist leader Abdullah Öcalan.

In his party's group meeting on November 4, Bahçeli said, "It will strengthen the process for members of parliament selected from the commission to go to Imralı and receive the necessary messages firsthand and directly. The MHP is ready to participate in such a delegation. There is no need for fear or anxiety. To date, Imralı has kept its word and stood behind its statements."

Following these remarks by Bahçeli, the visit of the opening commission members to Imralı has been put on hold for now due to concerns that they might face investigation in the future. The fact that contacts made by the state during the first resolution process became the subject of legal proceedings years later, specifically the case opened against Sırrı Süreyya Önder, who visited Qandil, was cited as an example. After the uncertainties experienced during that period, Law No. 6551 on "Immunity" had been enacted.

Moreover, Bahçeli's words, "There is no need for fear or anxiety," were not seen as sufficient for a guarantee.

According to a report by Sözcü, it is emphasized in parliamentary circles that while it is possible for the commission to go to Imralı, a legal protection mechanism—just like in the previous resolution process—is essential to ensure these contacts do not turn into a legal process in the future.

Commission members explain the reason for their current concern by saying, "Sırrı Süreyya Önder was also on the Imralı delegation at that time. The photos taken in Qandil were considered evidence, and he went to prison." On the government front, the assessment that "the political cost will be high due to low social acceptance" regarding an Imralı visit stands out.

SIRRI SÜREYYA ÖNDER HAD BEEN PROSECUTED

On the other hand, during the previous resolution process, while serving on the Imralı Delegation in 2014, Sırrı Süreyya Önder was prosecuted on charges of 'being a member of an organization,' 'making propaganda for an organization,' and 'inciting the public to hatred and hostility' due to a photo taken with organization members in Qandil.

Furthermore, a speech he made at the Nevruz celebrations in Diyarbakır regarding the need to resolve the Kurdish issue through democratic and peaceful means was also included in the indictment. Önder argued that the photos were part of the process, stating, "These happened in front of all of Turkey and the world," and was acquitted as a result of the trial.