19.02.2026 13:00
HDP MP Meral Danış Beştaş compared Öcalan to South African leader Nelson Mandela during a program she attended. Beştaş's remarks, stating "Mandela is one of the leaders who is most similar in position. He also became president later... There should not be an obstacle to this in Turkey either," surprised the host as well.
As part of the process for a terrorism-free Turkey, the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission established in the Turkish Grand National Assembly has completed its reporting process after the listening phase. The report prepared at the Commission's 21st and final meeting was made public and accepted through a vote.
DEM'S NUMBER ONE AGENDA IS THE RIGHT TO HOPE
It was stated that the report, prepared with contributions from individuals and institutions from all walks of life, would serve as a guiding document in the subsequent stages of the process. While the Commission's work is completed, the number one agenda of the DEM Party front is the right to hope for Öcalan... DEM Party Member of Parliament Meral Danış Beştaş made evaluations regarding the issue during a program broadcasted on İlke TV.
"WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A HISTORICAL INJUSTICE"
Beştaş stated, "How can someone who disarms, leads to a solution, advocates for democratization, and is only capable of doing something be imprisoned? This issue needs to be addressed. It is not something that will happen all at once. We are talking about a historical injustice and unfairness."
COMPARES ÖCALAN TO MANDELA
Beştaş, who compared Öcalan to South African leader Nelson Mandela, said, "Mandela is one of the leaders in a very similar position. He also later became president. He gained his freedom and received the Nobel Peace Prize." At that moment, the change in the facial expressions of the program host Dilek Odabaş did not go unnoticed.