One year has passed since the Call for Peace and Democratic Society was made on 27 February. At the end of this one-year period, the second call from Imrali was released during a press statement in Ankara. The statement emphasized that the process has moved into its second phase and highlighted calls for democratic integration and legal steps. While the statement was closely followed by the public, particular attention was paid to the emphasis that the government must evolve toward a democratic transformation.
Asrın Law Office lawyer Rezan Sarıca drew attention to both the right to hope and the ongoing prison conditions in Imrali in the context of peace and the democratic process. Sarıca called for concrete steps to be taken and said: “The prison status of Imrali must come to an end and Mr. Öcalan must be able to play his political role on a more legal and political ground; the path must be opened for the struggle he is carrying out to give concrete form to the law of brotherhood.”
Rezan Sarıca also emphasized that the social demand became clearly visible during their march regarding the right to hope and stated that the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) must be implemented without delay. Sarıca said, “There has been a ruling concerning Mr. Öcalan since 2014. However, no step has yet been taken by Turkey in accordance with this ruling and in line with international law and the Constitution.”
Sarıca also referred to the anniversary of the process and the new statement by Abdullah Öcalan. He said: “Today also marks the first anniversary of the Peace and Democratic Society Process. At the same time, we followed from the press that Mr. Öcalan has once again made an important statement. When we look at the content of the statement, we see that Mr. Öcalan addresses both the democracy problem of society and the Kurdish question of the Republic in a multidimensional and comprehensive way. He also presents his ideas and views on what steps must be taken to overcome the crises and problems experienced by society. We see that this statement was made to correctly define the Kurdish question, to confront what has happened, and to ensure that the past period is never repeated, with the aim of ending denial, violence and conflict.”
Democratic transformation is needed
Rezan Sarıca said that the conditions in Imrali are decisive for democratic transformation and stressed that Turkey needs a serious democratic transformation. Sarıca said, “Such an expectation has risen in society in every respect. It is now clear that Turkey must undergo a multidimensional democratic transformation, from improving the conditions in Imrali to ending social pressures and political bans. The conditions in Imrali are important in this regard. The role undertaken by Mr. Öcalan carries out an important mission in terms of achieving a democratic form of the historical cultural alliance. Today, we also see that he is practically carrying out this role. However, we see that the current conditions in Imrali prevent him from fulfilling this role sufficiently. Society has concerns and demands on this issue.”
Prison status in Imrali must be abolished
Rezan Sarıca stated that the prison status in Imrali must be abolished and said: “A strong will and demand has emerged to change Mr. Öcalan’s current conditions, for example to close and abolish the Imrali system and the system of isolation in which he has been held for 27 years. This must now be recognized, and social demands must be incorporated into the law. Our proposal in this regard is the abolition of the prison status in Imrali.
The prison status must come to an end and Mr. Öcalan must be able to play his political role on a more legal and political ground; the path must be opened for the struggle he is carrying out to give concrete form to the law of brotherhood.”
Sarıca also stated that the struggle carried out by Abdullah Öcalan is oriented toward peace and continued his remarks as follows: “We can say that the statement made today by Mr. Öcalan also has a character that reinforces, clarifies, makes transparent and public his previous efforts. Considering these statements, we can say that the Kurds can carry out and continue their struggle as a people; a roadmap has now emerged, and the future has become clearer.”
ECtHR ruling must be implemented
Rezan Sarıca stated that the rulings of the ECtHR regarding the right to hope must be enforced as a constitutional responsibility. Sarıca said: “However, the government and the state must now take concrete steps. The ruling on the right to hope delivered by the European Court of Human Rights must be put into effect and implemented without being tied to any condition or justification, as a constitutional responsibility. Only after that can a discussion on freedom within the framework of the right to hope be carried out. It is also clear that Mr. Öcalan has now completed 27 years.”
Continuation of prison conditions does not benefit society
Sarıca also noted that Abdullah Öcalan has insisted on a line of peace for many years and added: “However, not only during these 27 years, but also throughout the past 30 to 35 years, we see that he has insisted on a line of peace. It is clear that this stance aims at social welfare, at benefiting society and bringing it to contemporary standards and a modern form. In light of this reality, it can be said that his continued imprisonment does not benefit society; on the contrary, it will continue to cause problems and crises to be carried into the future.”
Right to hope must be implemented
Sarıca concluded his remarks as follows: “The most fundamental principle of democratic transformation at this stage is the implementation of the right to hope and the abolition of the prison institution and the system of isolation. We say that the rulings of the ECtHR regarding the right to hope must be put into effect directly through legal regulations, without any delay. At the same time, once the right to hope is implemented, a second step should immediately lead either to the realization of physical freedom or to the establishment of a more political and legal ground that would allow Mr. Öcalan to play his role within the ongoing Peace and Democratic Society Process. In both cases, the prison conditions and the current status in Imrali must come to an end.”