Kurdish Movement Demands Political Freedom for Jailed Leader Öcalan

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), outlawed in Turkey and several countries, has called for opening political avenues for imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, emphasizing that this step is crucial for advancing Turkey's democratic peace process.

In a comprehensive interview with Medya Haber TV, PKK member Hêlîn Ümit stressed that the movement has fulfilled all its obligations in the first phase of the peace and democratic society process. "In the second phase, the path must be cleared for Leader Öcalan to engage in politics, and legal arrangements should be made within the framework of democratic integration," Ümit stated.

The comments come amid discussions about the European Council Committee of Ministers' interim decision regarding Öcalan's "right to hope" - a legal principle that has been debated for over a decade. Ümit criticized the European body for what she described as enabling Turkey's stalling tactics, noting that the right to hope is not just about Öcalan but represents a universal human right, particularly for political prisoners.

"For 11 years, the Kurdish people have been strung along with talk of the 'right to hope,'" Ümit explained. "This is not just an injustice to Leader Öcalan, but actually imposes hopelessness on the Kurdish people, women, and the peoples of Turkey and the region under the guise of the right to hope."

The movement representative outlined that significant unilateral steps have already been taken, including the PKK's organizational transformation at its 12th Congress and declarations regarding changes to armed struggle strategy, particularly concerning Turkey. These developments, according to Ümit, were all undertaken under Öcalan's leadership and tied to his eventual physical freedom.

Ümit emphasized that the second phase of the process requires two fundamental elements: proper recognition of Öcalan's role as chief negotiator and the creation of a legal framework for democratic integration. She argued that genuine political engagement cannot occur through controlled prison visits alone, but requires Öcalan to have free working conditions to communicate with his organization, society, and politicians.

"If the founding leadership role of Öcalan is recognized, then an appropriate approach must be taken. The path for Öcalan to engage in politics must be opened," Ümit insisted, warning that without addressing Öcalan's physical freedom and creating conditions for his free political work, the peace process cannot advance meaningfully.