PACE United Left Group members demand visits for Öcalan, Demirtaş, and Yüksekdağ: 'Implement ECHR decisions, recognize the right to hope'
Members of the PACE United European Left Group reiterated their requests to visit Abdullah Öcalan, Selahattin Demirtaş, and Figen Yüksekdağ. The delegation called for the enforcement of European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decisions and the implementation of the "right to hope" ruling for Abdullah Öcalan.
Ankara — The United European Left Group of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) made a statement in front of the Ministry of Justice alongside DEM Party MPs Berdan Öztürk and Sevilay Çelenk. The statement expressed support for the ongoing "Peace and Democratic Society Process" in Turkey and emphasized that lasting peace and regional stability would positively impact millions of people in Europe and the Middle East.
The statement included the following: "As is well known, we had previously submitted our request to visit Mr. Abdullah Öcalan, widely regarded as an indispensable figure in the peaceful resolution of the Kurdish issue, one of Turkey's most fundamental problems, as well as former HDP Co-Chairpersons Mr. Selahattin Demirtaş and Ms. Figen Yüksekdağ, to the relevant authorities.
In the same context, we also requested an appointment with the Ministry of Justice, the legal and administrative authority responsible for the process. However, to date, we have received no response to these requests submitted through official channels. Today, believing that the doors to dialogue must be opened, we are here in front of the Ministry of Justice to renew our official petitions and share our views on the process with the public.
"We support every step towards lasting peace"
As the UEL delegation, we follow the ongoing Peace and Democratic Society Process in Turkey with hope and great interest. We see the establishment of lasting peace and regional stability as a critical and historic initiative that will positively affect not only the 85 million citizens of Turkey but also hundreds of millions of people beyond its borders, especially in Europe and the Middle East.
In a time when wars causing severe destruction are ongoing in many parts of the world and efforts to rearm, inviting new conflicts, are gaining momentum, we find every step taken towards lasting peace in Turkey extremely valuable and support it on behalf of our group.
We call on all parties involved in the Peace and Democratic Society Process, which will ensure Turkey's democratization and the permanent establishment of regional stability, to continue advancing this initiative with determination and responsibility. In this regard, we strongly support the evolution of Mr. Öcalan's prison conditions in a way that facilitates the progress of this process and strengthens hopes for peace.
We emphasize that the prompt implementation of the European Court of Human Rights' "right to hope" decision regarding Mr. Öcalan is a legal obligation. "Implement Demirtaş and Kavala decisions"
The enforcement of the European Court of Human Rights' rulings in the cases of Mr. Selahattin Demirtaş and Mr. Osman Kavala is also a critical obligation requiring immediate action.
We strongly advocate that Turkey take lawful and legitimate steps on its own initiative, in line with its international legal obligations, without the need for further measures by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers."
The delegation then proceeded to the DEM Party headquarters to meet with DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları. It was reported that the United European Left Group of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe would later have lunch with the DEM Party Imrali Delegation at the Parliament.
