In the second part of this interview, Prof. Vicenç Fisas Armengol, an expert on peace negotiations known worldwide for his work on peace processes, said that “Öcalan should have had an office in prison long ago to be able to carry out his work for peace.”
The first part of this interview can be read here.
You said that one of the most important problems is that there are no direct negotiations between the Government and Öcalan. How could action be taken to encourage this, or how could the Government act to make it possible?
There are several possibilities. From the beginning of the process, it was requested that Öcalan be released so that, as a political figure, he could be at the forefront of the process. Because he is a person who has had the courage, bravery, and foresight to propose, honestly and sincerely, the end of the armed struggle. This should have a reward. There should be a response from the government.
And, as I said, it can be done in stages. I know the experience of another guerrilla group in Colombia, the ELN. There were two negotiators who were in prison. They had been imprisoned for many years. But the government gave them almost an apartment within the prison, separate from the other inmates, with an office, a kitchen, a meeting room, fax, telephone, internet, everything. They even had a radio frequency to communicate with the mountains, because they were peace negotiators.
So, when someone belongs to an armed group but is responsible for achieving peace, governments must provide facilities for these people. I spent an entire day with them inside the prison and could see how they worked. That is the first step.
Öcalan should have had an office in prison long ago to carry out this type of work. He should have no restrictions on visits. If he wants to receive people every day, then everyone necessary should be allowed to go. This helps create the right climate for the process to move forward. If full freedom is not to be granted, there is the intermediate step of house arrest. That could also be done.
The government has the power to do this, if it wishes. I believe these are the steps that should be taken in the near future. I am talking about months, not years.
As you mentioned, not only are there no negotiations, but the Turkish government doesn’t show the right attitude, one that gives much hope for any speed in the process. What are the most critical things to do so that somehow this process can move forward, become a peace process, and consequently lead to lasting peace?
Right now, everything is in the hands of the Parliamentary Commission. But of course, this will end in a few weeks, and then it will be up to the Government to make the laws that must be presented to Parliament. There are three stages: the Commission, the government, and Parliament. Everything possible must be done to speed this up. And, firstly, security guarantees must be given to PKK fighters.
They must have the right to return to their families and homes. The type of work they could do in the future must be planned. All of this requires preparation, depending on the studies or projects some of them wish to pursue later on.
If they need productive projects, microcredits should be provided, for example. There are many things, many experiences around the world. In Colombia, in the Philippines, which I also know very well, many interesting things have been done. But in these countries and others, the government has a peace office, a High Commissioner for Peace. This is a person dedicated solely and exclusively to ensuring the proper functioning of dialogue with armed groups. In Turkey, such a position does not exist.
It should have already been implemented. Another example from experience: in Colombia, parliaments have a permanent peace commission. They invite people from all sectors of society, as well as foreigners, to give their opinions and help advance the process. I have been invited to both Colombia and by the Peace Commission of the Philippines to share ideas. So, I know that the current commission is doing something similar.
But even if this commission soon makes a proposal to the Government, I think it should remain active to continue monitoring implementation. Everything should move faster, and above all, it is very important that there be an amnesty, and I repeat this again, for those who are imprisoned or in exile. To move forward in a peace process, it is necessary to facilitate the return of these people.
Would you like to add anything?
No, only that I follow the news every day. It’s the first thing I do in the morning: check the newspapers in Turkey and the region, the press releases.
And I am quite distressed because I see that things are moving too slowly when they could be progressing better. Therefore, I’ve already mentioned several things that could be done, but now I would insist on two fundamental points. First, to enact a proper amnesty, and second, to ensure the proper reintegration of the combatants.
I think this needs to be worked on more quickly in all sectors. Civil society, universities can offer ideas, Parliament too, and political parties as well. It’s a collective effort involving the whole of society, which must come together to ensure that this can end well, and as soon as possible.