European Free Alliance (EFA) President Lorena Lopez de Lacelle said that the implementation of the “right to hope” and the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan are crucial for a negotiation process with Turkey that must be conducted on equal terms.
The European Free Alliance (EFA), which operates within the European Parliament and brings together 41 political parties from 19 countries, is headed by Lorena Lopez de Lacelle. She spoke to ANF about the process initiated by Abdullah Öcalan and the question of the “right to hope.”
Abdullah Öcalan and the PKK’s stance on peace is very meaningful
As the leader of an alliance that defends the right of peoples to self-determination and to shape their own future, Lopez de Lacelle underlined the significance of the process launched by Leader Apo and the PKK: “Considering the state of violence the world is going through, we find it extremely important and valuable to insist on peace as an alliance. The PKK and Öcalan’s decision to stop violence and to seek a democratic and peaceful solution together with all the peoples of Turkey is very good news for us. Of course, we also have concerns. After Öcalan’s call, Erdoğan initially reacted positively. Unfortunately, the lack of progress over time causes us concern.”
Our concerns are directed at Erdoğan and his government
She noted that the establishment of a parliamentary commission was important and that they supported its work. Lopez de Lacelle continued: “In such a process, the pressures and attacks on opposition parties deepen our concerns. Our concerns are directed at Erdoğan and his government, because we know very well that it is not only the Kurds who want peace in the country; a large part of the Turkish population also wants peace.”
We must support peace efforts
Lopez de Lacelle said she views LAbdullah Öcalan’s initiatives and ideas not only as a light for Turkey but also for the whole world: “Of course, Öcalan’s initiatives and positions are fundamentally important for the Middle East, but they also have a great impact in Europe. These values are necessary for the entire world. Through his stance, Öcalan has shown that there are leaders in this world who want peace and insist on it, even in such a difficult context. That is why we, as politicians, intellectuals, and all different sectors of society, must support the peace efforts being carried out in Turkey. It is very important that the Kurds call this process one of ‘democratic society and peace.’ At its core, no one is excluded; everyone is meant to be part of the process. In this sense, we can only be supporters of a process in which everyone must have the same and equal rights.”
‘Right to hope’ must be implemented
Pointing to the importance of Abdullah Öcalan’s freedom for the success of the process, Lopez de Lacelle stressed that Turkey must comply with the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and implement the ‘Right to Hope’: “We support the demand for the ‘right to hope’ for Öcalan and call for its immediate implementation. The Turkish state must fulfill its obligations and implement the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers’ decision on the right to hope. It must be clearly established and enforced, because it means the right of all human beings to be treated with dignity. This is about human dignity. A leader who has been held in almost continuous isolation for 26 years is no longer serving a punitive sentence; this is a situation contrary to international law.”
He has the power and authority to bring peace
Lopez de Lacelle added: “Öcalan is a very important leader who has repeatedly demonstrated his will to end conflict through peaceful means, who has called for the dissolution of the PKK, and who has openly shown the will to end armed activities by burning weapons. The implementation of the ‘right to hope’ and Öcalan’s freedom are crucial for a negotiation process with Turkey that must be conducted on equal terms. Öcalan has the power and authority to bring about peace. Therefore, Erdoğan and his government must recognize the capacity for peace embodied in Öcalan himself.”
The Kurdish population is not Turkey’s enemy
Lopez de Lacelle underlined that true democracy requires recognition of the rights of all minorities living in the country: “The state cannot view diversity as an enemy. The Kurdish population in Turkey is not Turkey’s enemy. The Kurds’ only demand is that their language, traditions, way of life, and right to democracy be respected. Turkey must recognize this reality and accept these basic demands.”
The Council of Europe and its institutions must apply pressure
Finally, Lopez de Lacelle stressed that institutions of the Council of Europe must take concrete steps to ensure the implementation of the “right to hope” and the success of the process in Turkey: “The Council of Europe and EU countries must believe that the time has come to achieve peace in Turkey and approach the issue on that basis. For the success of this opportunity offered by Öcalan, the process must be supported. Diplomatic pressure must be exerted on Turkey to secure Öcalan’s freedom. If the Turkish state insists on lawlessness, the suspension of diplomatic and economic relations must also be considered.”