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İmrali Delegation Member and Turkish Deputy Speaker Sirri Sureyya Onder Dies
Sirri Sureyya Onder, Deputy Speaker of the Turkish Parliament and a prominent member of the İmrali delegation, has died.
Deputy Speaker of the Turkish Parliament and one of the most distinctive voices in Turkey’s modern political and cultural life, passed away on May 3, 2025, at the age of 62. His death comes just weeks after undergoing emergency heart surgery, marking the end of a career defined by resistance, dialogue, and an unwavering belief in justice.
Onder, a filmmaker, writer, and longtime advocate for Kurdish rights, was widely respected across political lines, even by those who opposed his views for his sincerity, wit, and moral clarity. He was best known for his role in the İmrali delegation, where he served as a mediator between the Turkish state and the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan during the 2013–2015 peace process.
A Life of Struggle and Storytelling
Born in Adiyaman in 1962, Onder came from a politically active leftist family. His early life was shaped by trauma and resistance. At just 16, he was imprisoned for protesting the Maraş Massacre. He later attended Ankara University’s Faculty of Political Sciences, but his education and his freedom, were cut short by the 1980 military coup. He was arrested, tortured, and spent seven years in prison, participating in hunger strikes and organizing resistance behind bars.
After his release, Onder turned to cinema and writing to continue his political mission in new forms. His acclaimed 2006 film, The International (Beynelmilel), used dark humor to reflect on the military coup's absurdities and the courage of ordinary people. It remains one of Turkey’s most beloved political comedies.
Entering Politics with Purpose
Onder entered Parliament in 2011 as an independent candidate backed by the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP). He would go on to join the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), serving as a bridge between the Kurdish movement and broader segments of the left. In 2013, during the Gezi Park protests, he became a national symbol of peaceful resistance, standing between police forces and protestors and famously taking a gas canister to the shoulder.
But his most significant political role came through his involvement in the İmrali peace process, where he acted as an intermediary between the Turkish government and Ocalan. It was Onder who read Ocalan’s ceasefire message aloud during the historic Newroz celebrations in Diyarbakır in 2013, an unforgettable moment of hope for millions.
A Target of the System, But Never Silenced
Despite his peaceful message, Onder was often targeted by the judiciary. In 2018, he was sentenced to prison for a speech delivered during the 2013 Newroz rally, accused of spreading “terrorist propaganda.” He served time but was later released after Turkey’s Constitutional Court ruled that his freedom of expression had been violated.
In the 2023 elections, he returned to Parliament under the banner of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and was elected Deputy Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
A Legacy of Peace, Humor, and Principle
Even in his final years, Onder remained a vocal supporter of peace and inclusion. He believed in a Turkey for all its peoples, and never wavered in his commitment to the Kurdish question, democratic reform, and cultural coexistence.
His death leaves a void in both Turkey’s political and intellectual spheres. But for those who heard him speak, watched his films, or marched beside him in protest, Sirri Sureyya Onder will be remembered not only as a politician, but as a storyteller, a bridge-builder, and a principled rebel in the best sense of the word.
03/05/2025
İmrali Delegation Member and Turkish Deputy Speaker Sirri Sureyya Onder Dies
Mazloum Abdi Mourns the Death of Sirri Sureyya Onder, Praises His Legacy of Peace
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander Mazloum Abdi expressed his condolences over the passing of Sirri Sureyya Onder, the prominent Turkish politician and member of the İmralı delegation, describing him as a steadfast advocate for peace and coexistence.
"It is with great sadness that we received the news of the passing of Mr. Sırrı Süreyya Önder," Abdi said in a statement on Sunday. "His work and efforts for peace, resolution, and coexistence have left a lasting mark in the hearts and memories of the people."
Abdi extended his condolences to Onder’s family, friends, the DEM Party, and all those committed to peaceful political solutions.
Ocalan on Onder: A Comrade Who Turned Struggle into Hope
In a heartfelt message, Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed founder of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), expressed profound sorrow over the passing of Sirri Sureyya Onder, describing him as “a true son of the people” and “the identity of peace.”
“The passing of the beloved Sirri Sureyya Onder has deeply saddened our hearts,” Ocalan said. “He was a very valuable person—a true son of Anatolia and of the Turkmen tradition. Our geography has lost a great comrade.”
Recalling their last meeting on February 27, Ocalan shared a poignant memory:
“He wrote the final sentence of our joint statement with his own hand and insisted on reading it aloud himself. His dedication to peaceful coexistence was unforgettable.”
Ocalan praised Onder’s unique ability to transform difficult situations into opportunities for unity, calling him a “talented figure” and “the true identity of peace and the culture of reconciliation.”
“He knew well that peace and the peace process would benefit all of us. That was his greatest hope and dream. This hope must not be left incomplete.”
In his message, Ocalan emphasized the importance of honoring Onder’s legacy:
“The most meaningful way to remember him is to carry the spirit of peace forward and to crown it with the name of Sirri Sureyya Onder.”
Concluding his tribute, Ocalan offered condolences to Onder’s family, comrades, and the people he served:
“I once again express my deep attachment to his memory and extend my condolences to his family, friends, and all our people. May we all find strength in his legacy.”
Turkish President Expresses Condolences Over the Death of Sirri Sureyya Onder
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has expressed his condolences following the death of Sirri Sureyya Onder, Deputy of Istanbul and Vice President of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Istanbul Deputy and Vice President of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Honorable Sirri Sureyya Onder,” President Erdogan said in a statement.
The president extended his sympathies to Onder’s family, loved ones, members of the DEM Party, and colleagues in the parliament.
“I extend my condolences to the bereaved family, loved ones, the DEM Party, and our Grand National Assembly of Turkey. I pray for God’s mercy upon Honorable Onder.”
President Erdogan also recalled a recent meeting with the late Onder, during which they discussed political initiatives and exchanged views at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.
“I had the opportunity to host the late Onder at the Presidential Complex, where we engaged in a productive exchange of ideas regarding the initiatives he was pursuing.”
Concluding his message, the president acknowledged Onder’s efforts to contribute to peace and national unity:
“I sincerely believe that we will, God willing, reach the goal of a ‘Terror-Free Türkiye,’ to which Sirri Sureyya Onder devoted great effort in his final days.”
Masoud Barzani Offers Condolences on the Death of Sirri Sureyya Onder
Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Sirri Sureyya Onder, the Turkish politician, former co-chair of the DEM Party, Deputy Speaker of the Turkish Parliament, and a prominent member of the İmralı delegation.
“It is with great sadness that I have received the news of the passing of Turkish politician Sirri Sureyya Onder,” Barzani said in a statement. “He devoted much of his life to political and peaceful struggle, and his tireless efforts toward a peaceful resolution in Turkey are highly appreciated.”
Barzani extended his condolences to Onder’s family, friends, colleagues, and comrades, as well as to the leadership, members, and supporters of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) and others who shared in his vision for peace.
“I ask God Almighty to grant the soul of the deceased Paradise and to grant patience and peace to all who mourn him,” he added.
The message concluded with a traditional prayer:
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (Surely we belong to God, and to Him we shall return).
Bafel Jalal Talabani Mourns the Death of Sirri Sureyya Onder, Praises His Role in Kurdish Peace Efforts
Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Sirri Sureyya Onder, a key member of the İmrali delegation and prominent advocate for Kurdish rights.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Sirri Sureyya Onder,” Talabani said in a statement. “I extend my condolences to his family, the DEM Party, and all those committed to peace and the peaceful resolution of the Kurdish issue through dialogue.”
Talabani described Onder as a loyal and courageous figure who consistently defended the rights of the Kurdish people and played an important role in efforts to advance the peace process between the Kurdish movement and the Turkish state.
“He made every effort to resolve issues peacefully and contribute to the success of the peace process in North Kurdistan and Turkey,” Talabani noted. “His loss is deeply regrettable. The Kurdish people have lost a truly caring and dedicated friend.”
Concluding his statement, Talabani prayed for Onder’s soul and for strength to his family and supporters during this time of mourning:
“May Allah Almighty grant Mr. Sirri Sureyya Onder eternal peace. May God give patience to all who mourn his loss.”