The international delegation travelling to Turkey to demand an end to the isolation of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan made a press statement in front of the Ministry of Justice.

 

The statement was attended by the deputies of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), European Left Party Chair Walter Baier, Green Left Alliance of Italy MP Francesca Ghirra, Matteo Massa, Portuguese Republican Assembly member Eduardo Jorge Costa Pinto, Catalonia Deputy Eulàlia Reguant Cura, CUP of Catalonia Board member Blai Tabarner, Kurdish Solidarity Group of the Norwegian Red Party Director Anne Kulseng Berg, Italian General Confederation of Labour Director Caterina Posterino, Italian Confederation of Labour Director Fracesca Baruffaldi, journalists Benedetta Rossi, Daniela Galie, Communist Group of the Paris Metropolitan City Council Chair Raphaëlle Primet, German Left Party Hesen Director Jakob Migenda, German Left Party Director Yusuf Karacelik.

 

Before the statement, DEM Party MP Saliha Aydeniz stated that the Kurdish issue in Turkey is getting deeper and deeper, "For the democratic solution of the Kurdish issue the role of Mr Öcalan, his interlocutor and his will for peace must be recognised by the government and the state. We emphasise that concrete steps must be taken," she said. 

 

'IT IS VITAL TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF ÖCALAN'S VOICE'

 

Statement read by Journalist Benedetta Rossi.

 

The statement read as follows: "We are here to support the DEM Party and show solidarity with the Kurdish people. We believe that especially at this time it is essential to engage with the Turkish government to explore potential strategies for constructive dialogue, and it is vital to highlight the importance of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan’s voice in this process. 

 

'ROJAVA HAS BEEN A BEACON OF HOPE'

 

After the invasion of Tal Rifaat and the attack on Kurdish districts in Aleppo, the Kurdish population risks annihilation. As a matter of fact, since 26 November, Aleppo region has been at the centre of an unprecedented military escalation that is jeopardising the lives of thousands of civilians, especially those belonging to the Kurdish population. The situation is extremely tense and increasingly vulnerable civilians are facing an unprecedented siege and humanitarian crisis.

 

The Rojava Revolution was a unique experience of self-determination, human rights and resistance against oppression. Originating in the Kurdish lands of northern Syria, the revolution has built a system that promotes gender equality, direct democracy and peaceful coexistence between different ethnic groups and religions. In a context of conflict and instability, Rojava has been a beacon of hope, showing the world that it is possible to build an inclusive and just society, even under the most difficult conditions. 

 

The resilience of Kurdish forces has had a decisive impact in the fight against Islamic State terrorism, contributing to the stabilisation of the region. Nonetheless, ten years after the historic Kobane resistance that put an end to ISIS expansion, this model of society is currently being threatened, with the annihilation not only of the Kurdish people, but also of the values of freedom and democracy that Rojava embodies.

 

'DECISIVE ACTION IS NEEDED TO STOP THE VIOLENCE'

 

Therefore, we would like to make a strong appeal: Swift and decisive action is needed to stop the violence and avoid a new humanitarian catastrophe. The future of Syria, and especially of the communities living there, is uncertain, but hope lies in international solidarity and a concrete political and humanitarian response that can guarantee the security and dignity of all the peoples of the region and open the door to a political solution to the Syrian civil war.

 

We want to reiterate today that the situation of the Kurdish people has implications both for Turkey and the international community.We believe Mr. Abdullah Öcalan's contribution is crucial in facilitating dialogue and promoting understanding between the Turkish government and Kurdish communities. Mr. Öcalan's efforts, particularly in 2013-2015, were significant, as he advocated a peaceful resolution through a carefully crafted roadmap. This approach received a positive response from those who were willing to actively engage in this peace process. 

 

ECHR JUDGEMENT RECALLED 

 

The deprivation of Mr. Öcalan's inalienable human rights on the island prison of Imrali, where he has been held in isolation for 25 years, ignores international and national jurisdiction. On 18 March 2014, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that the sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole imposed on Mr. Öcalan constitutes a violation of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). 

 

This article of the Convention states that no one shall be subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The court also ruled that his sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole violated his fundamental right to hope, effectively amounting to a prolonged death sentence.

 

In its judgment of 19 September 2014, the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers also called on Turkey to comply with the ECHR rulings. Despite all these criticisms and rulings, the illegal isolation of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan has continued since 2021.

 

'DEMAND IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF ÖCALAN'

 

We are here to remind the Turkish government about this important ruling of international law and to appeal to their sense of justice and compliance to the basic principles of democracy and human rights. Therefore, we strongly demand the immediate release of Mr. Öcalan and the start of concrete peace talks and we will be determined to continue our effort in this direction until a just peace agreement for Kurdish people is reached and Mr. Öcalan is finally free.