Italian lawyer Arturo Salerni, one of the international figures struggling against the unlawful treatment imposed on Abdullah Öcalan, who has been held under severe isolation in the Imrali High-Security Island Prison for nearly 27 years, spoke to ANF about the ongoing “Peace and Democratic Society” process and the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers’ decision regarding the right to hope.
Despite harsh conditions, Öcalan has maintained the capacity to remain a key actor
Recalling that Öcalan has the right to political asylum in Italy by decision of the Rome Court due to the role he plays as the leader of the Kurdish people, lawyer Salerni said: “Despite this ruling, President Öcalan has been held under harsh conditions for over 26 years. He is still living through an extremely long and inhumane imprisonment. His conditions were partially eased only after intervention by the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT). Despite all these harsh conditions, President Öcalan remains central in defining a framework for negotiations for a political solution to the Kurdish question in Turkey.
Within this picture is Öcalan’s decisive role in ending PKK armed actions, his signals toward disarmament of the guerrilla forces, and the necessity of opening dialogue for a political solution in Turkey. Öcalan’s stance in favor of dialogue concerns not only Turkey, but the entire Middle East, particularly the countries where Kurds live.”
The success of the process is in everyone’s interest
Salerni emphasized that despite the steps taken by Öcalan and the Kurdish Freedom Movement, it is still unclear how the Turkish government will respond: “Will this process, as we hope, lead to a negotiation table, to peace, and towards setting a new democratic horizon, or will everything continue as it is? We still cannot clearly see this.
There are significant and meaningful political statements coming from the Turkish side, but there has yet to be a decisive or even preliminary concrete step. I believe that this process is in the interest not only of Kurds and Turkish society, but of everyone living within this context. As a Mediterranean country, Italy is also part of this context.”
A negotiation framework must be formally defined
Salerni said that the next steps must come from the Turkish state: “First and foremost, a negotiation framework must be formally defined, a real negotiation table where the parties sit together, listen to each other’s views, and seek a solution in a constructive spirit. Despite months passing since the Kurdish side demonstrated concrete will and actions, the Turkish state has still not established this legal framework.”
We must apply pressure to achieve Öcalan’s freedom
Salerni continued: “If the Turkish state continues its current stance, I believe those of us in Europe who are friends of the Kurdish people must pressure our governments to compel Turkey to take steps. This way, European governments and Mediterranean countries can apply effective pressure on Turkey so that the peace process does not stop, fall apart, or regress. We must mobilize all democratic public opinion and all governments, because reaching a solution to the Kurdish question is in everyone’s interest. And to reach a solution, the negotiation process must continue. For the negotiation process to continue, Abdullah Öcalan, the primary representative of the Kurdish people today—must regain his freedom and be recognized as a political leader. Öcalan is still held in unacceptable conditions in Imralı Prison.
Therefore, every pressure must be applied to ensure Turkey grants Öcalan conditions that would allow him to genuinely participate in a negotiation table. Only then can a negotiation table be established where all sides—and especially the Turkish government, participate in a constructive spirit, paving the way for a solution based on peace and democracy.”
The right to hope must be applied
Addressing the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers’ decision on the Right to Hope, Salerni said: “A life sentence without any perspective of release contradicts the European Convention on Human Rights, to which Turkey is a party, and conflicts with the decisions of the Council of Europe’s judicial bodies. Therefore, applying the right to hope, meaning establishing a perspective for Öcalan’s release from a life sentence, is essential for beginning a direct dialogue process and for ensuring that parties sit at the table with goodwill in search of a solution. Keeping Abdullah Öcalan imprisoned for life as a hostage does not help the beginning or development of this political and democratic negotiation.”
Öcalan’s perspective contributes to international law
Salerni stated that Öcalan’s perspective on a solution to the Kurdish question is also compatible with and contributes to international law. He added: “One of the fundamental principles of international law is the right of peoples to self-determination. The solution President Öcalan promotes is not about breaking existing borders or state structures; rather, it is a search for a solution within states. In Turkey, there is a significant Kurdish population, and even before political demands, there is strong cultural visibility.
For this reason, the solution hoped to emerge in Turkey would not only comply with current principles of international law but would also positively contribute to their development. Because the solution Öcalan proposes, and which certain circles within the Turkish government are responding, offers a unique model of resolution.”