Discussions regarding the resolution of the Kurdish issue, taking place within the framework of the ongoing Peace and Democratic Society Process, focus on the legislative reforms expected in this regard, whilst the status of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan, who is leading the process, takes centre stage in these discussions. 

 

Blai Taberner Curado, a member of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the Popular Unity Candidacy (Candidatura d'Unitat Popular-CUP), who applied to meet with Abdullah Ocalan, commented on the lack of response to his request, saying, “We have never received any response from the Turkish state, which is surprising and confirms that there’s no real respect to the rights of Mr. Ocalan.” 

 

Speaking to the Mezopotamya Agency (MA), Taberner stated that they were still awaiting a response from the Ministry of Justice regarding their request to meet with Abdullah Ocalan and that they maintained their desire to proceed with the meeting. He assessed the failure to respond to the application they submitted in December 2024 alongside two delegates from Catalonia, stating: “There’s no interest in letting the world know that there is a formal proposal by Mr. Ocalan and the Kurdish society to agree on a peace process that can guarantee peace, stability and respect for Kurdish rights in the region.” 

 

'MEETINGS MUST BE CONDUCTED WITH LEGAL GUARANTEES'

 

Taberner, who stated that a democratic and lasting solution to the Kurdish issue is impossible without direct communication with Abdullah Ocalan, said: "Mr. Abdullah Ocalan is a political leader that has inspired not only Kurdish, but People’s from all around the world. It is impossible to talk about peace without adressing Mr. Ocalan situation and the situation of other political prisoners in Turkey. It is absolutely impossible to think about a resolution process if one of its parts is jailed and under constant threat of basic human rights vulneration. Peace talks need to be done under equality and legal guarantees.”

 

‘WE CATALANS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INSPIRED BY THE KURDISH STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM’

 

Referring to Abdullah Ocalan’s role and the impact of the Kurdish people’s situation on their own country, Taberner said, “We Catalans have always been inspired by the Kurdish struggle for freedom, democracy and equality. We also fight for the same for our people. That’s why historically there have been solidarity links between us. We have passed resolutions in many local councils and the Catalan parliament addressing the Kurdish question and of course, demanding Mr. Ocalan’s freedom.”

 

Expressing that he did not see a "genuine will" in Turkey to bring about a political solution to the Kurdish issue, Taberner pointed to the impact of resolving the Kurdish issue on conflicts in the region, stating: " As we have said many times, addressing the Kurdish question is, in fact, addressing the democratization of the whole region, and this needs to be done respecting and promoting the self-determination and sovereignty of the peoples that live there.”

 

'ABDULLAH OCALAN’S POLITICAL RIGHTS MUST BE ADDRESSED'

 

Referring to the first step that must be taken towards a solution, Taberner said, “The first step that would be needed is addressing the political and human rights of Mr. Ocalan and other political prisioners. Secondly, respecting the political will of kurdish people, that elect their representatives but face systematic repression from the Turkish government. Without respect for human and political rights, discussing about peace is not to be taken seriously.”

 

MA / Hivda Celebi