One month after Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's “Call for Peace and Democratic Society” was announced on February 27, the government has not yet taken any goodwill steps or any concrete steps that would contribute to the progress of the process. While many consider the government's steps as a precondition for the process to move forward, Prof. Kariane Westrheim, President of the European Union Turkey Civil Commission (EUTCC), one of the signatories of the “Call for Support to Peace Efforts”, said that everything depends on Turkey's response to the call. 

 

Prof. Kariane Westrheim that she has been following the Kurdish Movement closely for 20 years. Evaulating the call to Mezopotamya Agency (MA), Prof. Kariane Westrheim said that Kurds have made a lot of progress from the past to the present, “The kind of the level of consciousness, how much aware the Kurds are now than 20 years ago, when, I was introduced to the movement first time. I would say, I am so impressed. It gives me so much energy and power just to work with the movement. Because there are so many people there who sacrifices their whole life, the private lives. I cannot express my admiration for that kind of work. They have a really discipline when it comes to work. At the same time they keep up their dignity, in a way, and they are so welcoming and so open to others. So for me, these 20 years together with a Kurds, I cannot express how much I have gained from it, myself as a person."

 

'THE CALL OPENS UP MANY POSSIBILITIES'

 

Kariane Westrheim said that when they first heard Abdullah Öcalan's call, they tried to understand it and were a bit worried. “I was little bit worried, but afterwards, when the movement themselves, then all the spokesperson has evaluated it and the call has become clearer what it actually meant. And I think it's actually a very strong call that opens up for many, many possibilities. But of course, it all depends on Turkey's answer to this question, to this call. So far, of course, it hasn't been much. But still, I think it's so important that this call has been made, because you cannot go back. A process has started, even if it's not so much coming out of it immediately. But I think we have to rely on time and just rely a little bit trust the process, in a way. So for me, it's very promising," she said.  

 

'THERE COULD NOT BE A PROCESS WITHOUT ABDULLAH ÖCALAN'

 

Kariane Westrheim stated that Abdullah Öcalan's freedom is the most important condition for the process and said, “There can't be a process without free Öcalan. Because, he is the leader. Every political leader has to confer and to communicate with their party members, with the movement. So far, there has been no attempt given by Turkey. Because they have to be security measures. And if it comes so far that Turkey responds and the process has moved forward, then it has to be legal and political measures to regulate the process. And that is also a prerequisite. It's absolutely necessary. But first of all, Öalan has to be free. There could be no process without him." 

 

'THE CRIME OF SILENCE AGAINST THE KURDS'

 

Kariane Westrheim, pointing to the European Court of Human Rights' ruling on the violation of the “right to hope” for Abdullah Öcalan, which was not implemented by Turkey, stressed: “Everyone has the ‘right to hope’. Now there is a decision of the European Court of Human Rights and the Committee of Ministers has also addressed this issue. But the problem is that they make statements, but there is no actual action. They want to wait a year. If Turkey does not do anything in a year then they will come up with other measures. But this is of no use. Someone has to come forward and say 'OK, enough is enough'. All these institutions have the power. They can do it, but they are not doing it. In fact, nobody is speaking out or standing up for the Kurds against Turkey. And this is the crime of silence. And the crime of silence is as serious as committing the crime. Because if you know what is right and you don't speak out, that is a crime.” 

 

Kariane Westrheim stated that the international campaigns such as "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and democratic solution to the Kurdish question" should be continued with the call she signed and that the PKK being on the "EU list of terrorist organizations" constitutes an obstacle to the progress of the process. Emphasising that this situation should be eliminated, Kariane Westrheim said: "The PKK, they're not terrorists. They are seeking peace. The EU know that. That is the mystery. Why are they continuing this practice, when they know that the PKK, they're not terrorists? they shouldn't be on the terror list, but it's there, and they don't want to upset Turkey in any way, or whatever it is. But I think there shouldn't be any hindrances now for removing the PKK from that list. It's ridiculous to have them there. It's no use. Maybe this process will lead to that at the end."

 

Reminding that Turkey does not want a third party in the process, Kariane Westrheim said: "Unless there is a real will for talks and negotiations, and I would say it has to be with a third party. I know that someone thinks that maybe that's not necessary, but I think there should be a third party to monitor. Because if the PKK is going to lay down arms, this has to be done, regulated in terms of security, in terms of joint promises, and the agreement has to be signed and monitored by someone. Turkey don't want a third party. They want to do this alone. 'Lay down your arms. Game over.' But this is not the negotiation take place."

 

'THE CALL IS A CALL FOR THE WORLD TO SUPPORT PEACE AND DEMOCRACY'

 

Kariane Westrheim said that Abdullah Öcalan's call is not only directed at the PKK and added, "Öcalan's call is not a call to the PKK or the movement alone. It's a call to the whole world to support peace and democracy. So I think that the responsibility to promote and to make a progress of this peace process that is mine and yours, and the movement and all of us. Everyone can do something in their own country, that everyone knows, someone they can approach. So I think we need to use this time to really put pressure on everyone we know and everyone that we can reach, who would listen and will understand. So it's everyone's responsibility, and the fact that 200 has signed show that there is a huge interest, and there is a huge engagement around the globe to reach a solution to the Kurdish question."

 

MA / Hîvda Çelebi