Several Yazidi women’s organizations sent a joint letter to the Council of Europe demanding that Abdullah Öcalan be granted his “Right to Hope” and that the Turkish state take steps in line with the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights.
The letter was sent by the Yazidi Women’s Freedom Movement (TAJÊ) in Shengal, and the Yazidi women’s unions in Germany, Rojava, Moscow and Armenia.
Drawing attention to the process for peace and democratic society initiated by Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, the letter by women’s organizations stated the following:
“We, as Yazidi women’s institutions, organizations, and movements, are submitting this letter to the Council of Europe. Severe wars are being waged in many parts of the world, to which thousands of people, women, and children are falling victim. In such a period marked by discussions on the third world war, a door has been opened for a solution and peace. The peace and a democratic society process in Turkey, initiated by the Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan, is taking effect across the Middle East and the world. If it is successful, many peoples and societies will benefit from it in a positive way.
For 27 years, Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan has been held under severe pressure and isolation on Imrali Island. Abdullah Öcalan represents millions of people. As the Yazidi community, we also see him as our leader and pioneer. Similarly, millions of people act in accordance with his ideas and paradigm. He is the interlocutor for a permanent solution. Without his ideas and philosophy, a lasting peace in the Middle East and the world would be impossible.”
The letter emphasized that there are thousands of prisoners in Turkey, all of whom are deprived of their right to hope: “The European Court of Human Rights states that no prisoner can be held in prison for the rest of their life. The Turkish state has recognized this law but is not implementing it. Despite the repeated calls by the Council of Europe for the implementation of the right to hope for Öcalan and all prisoners, the Turkish state is not taking any steps in this regard nor making any changes.”
The Yazidi women’s organizations recalled the genocide of August 3, 2014, which is the 74th mass slaughter suffered by the Yazidi people in their history.
Women’s organizations stated that they were saved from the 74th genocide thanks to the ideas and thoughts of Öcalan: “As the Yazidi community, we see Leader Abdullah Öcalan as our protector and savior. Someone who saved a community from genocide and protects it should not be held in prison. Therefore, we also demand the physical freedom of our leader and ask you to implement the right to hope. No prisoner should be held in prison under severe pressure for the rest of their life. As the Yazidi community, we demand that you implement the right to hope for Leader Abdullah Öcalan and all prisoners. We also demand that you implement the right to hope decision adopted by the Council of Europe on September 18 and exert pressure on the Turkish state in this regard.”