A delegation from the United European Left (UEL) Group of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) arrived in Ankara for talks on Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s status, the “right to hope,” and the ongoing Peace and Democratic Society Process. 

 

The delegation, which also applied to the Ministry of Justice for the implementation of European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings, included PACE United European Left (UEL) Group Co-Chair and AKEL MP from Cyprus George Loucaides, PACE-UEL Group Vice-Chair and La France Insoumise Senator from France Emmanuel Fernandes, PACE Honorary President Tiny Kox. 

 

Speaking to the Mezopotamya Agency (MA), the delegation members outlined the purpose of their contacts in Ankara.

 

 

‘TURKEY CAN BE A MODEL’

 

Emmanuel Fernandes stated that they had come to Ankara in support of the Kurdish people and the ongoing peace process. He also pointed to the necessity of a peaceful and political solution to the Kurdish issue, adding: “I believe Turkey can be a model for democracy if this process can be achieved. Not only for the region, but also for the whole European continents, Asia and maybe the world. Turkey is a full member of the Council of Europe and we want to see positively that this process has emerged so that Turkey can progressively get to the point that proper civil law and human rights are fully respected.”

 

HIGHLIGHTS THE ISOLATION IN IMRALI

 

Speaking about the international impact of the “Peace and Democratic Society Process,” Fernandes noted that the very emergence of the process is already a very positive development. Drawing particular attention to the isolation conditions imposed on Abdullah Öcalan, he continued his remarks by stating that Abdullah Öcalan’s prolonged detention under isolation conditions demonstrates that Turkey is not fulfilling its commitments under the ECHR.

 

ACTS RATHER THAN WORDS 

 

Emphasizing the importance of the judgments of the ECHR, Fernandes stated that Turkey should immediately implement the Court’s rulings. Stressing that “We would like to see more acts rather than words”, he pointed to the need for Parliament to take action regarding the process. He noted: “Because now the question is not to struggle with weapons and arms but to find a political solution. There’s been a lot of pain all over the country for all populations. Now this process of political resolution should take a step forward in the Parliament and this should include improvements in Abdullah Öcalan’s conditions of detention.”

 

FREEDOM OF ABDULLAH ÖCALAN

 

Fernandes stated that Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom would represent an immense sign of progress toward democracy and said: “A democratic solution to the Kurdish issue can only be achieved with the full participation of Mr. Öcalan. We must achieve all the steps that can lead to the total freedom of Mr. Öcalan.”

 

 

LOUCAIDES: WE ARE FOLLOWING THE PROCESS

 

George Loucaides noted that they had been following the process from the very beginning. He stated that the process is embraced and supported not only by the Left Group but also by the Parliamentary Assembly as a whole adding: “That's why it will be a part of the monitoring process of Turkey and of the work of the co-rapporteurs for Turkey. Therefore we expect that the co-rapporteurs will come here in Turkey and follow up the developments in relation to the peace process and assist in any way in that direction.”

 

AGREEMENT SHOULD BE INCLUSIVE 

 

Loucaides also stated that the process would bring a new perspective for the both country and the region. He said: “We believe that Abdullah Öcalan is an indispensable actor in this process. His rights should be protected in accordance with the European Court of Human Rights. If an agreement is reached, it should be inclusive from the bottom to the up. From Abdullah Öcalan and all the members of PKK, as well as all those people who are in prison and all those people who are in exile because of the political situation for so many decades. It should include all of them.”

 

 

‘MR. ÖCALAN IS THE MAIN NEGATIATOR’

 

Tiny Kox stated: “We know that Mr. Öcalan is the main negotiator for this peace and democracy process. We also think that the Turkish authorities have to accept that it was decided by the European Court of Human Rights that everybody who is in prison should have the right to hope. Therefore they can improve the situation of those who are imprisoned. We also made it clear that this also applies to Mr. Öcalan. If we want to have this peace and democracy process ongoing, then we need the assistance of Mr. Öcalan.”

 

Kox also noted that they had conveyed these messages during their contacts with political parties regarding the “right to hope” and Abdullah Öcalan’s status. 

 

MA / Deniz Karabudak