Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party Imrali Delegation member and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Sırrı Süreyya Önder died 18 days after a heart attack in the hospital. 

 

Önder was laid to rest yesterday in Istanbul Zincirlikuyu Cemetery with the participation of tens of thousands of people. DEM Party provincial and district organisations also held condolence services for Önder. Many people visited the condolence centre in Amed (Diyarbakır). 

 

Describing Önder as a “messenger of peace”, citizens said that they felt his pain in their hearts. 

 

 

Müşeher Ülker recalled first knowing Önder through his film work before he entered politics, said, “When I asked him if he could really commit to political struggle, he laughed and said, ‘If it’s in your mind, no matter what you do, it always leads to struggle.’ That moment moved me deeply.”

 

She added: “Even if only one person is left in the world, they will remember his struggle.”

 

 

Zekiye Almaz described him as a tireless advocate, saying: “He was a hardworking man. We will never abandon his fight.”

 

 

Sema Koç also had worked with Önder. “He had powerful human connections. In one of his last interviews, he said, ‘I will take on any responsibility to bring peace and unity to this land.’ We lost him before he could see that peace,” said Sema Koç and added: “We’ve taken up the flag he left us. May his soul rest in peace.”

 

 

Ekin Yeter, Co-Chair of the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), emphasized Önder’s dedication to the oppressed: “He fought all his life so different peoples, beliefs, and identities could live together. The greatest promise we can make to him is to continue and grow his struggle.”

 

 

Peace Mother Necmiye Yaşar said, “He represented human values in every way. We want peace now—no more tears. He was a man of peace, and we will carry his mission forward.”

 

 

Harun Özünlü added: “We are grieving. But his comrades will carry on his struggle.”

 

MA / Berivan Altan