Despite significant steps by the PKK, such as ending armed struggle and dissolution, legal and regulatory measures have still not been implemented in the one and a half years since the Peace and Democratic Society Process began. As criticism grows over the lack of concrete action, demands for the recognition of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s “right to hope” and for his physical freedom are gaining prominence.

 

On May 2, 250 figures, including senators, trade unionists, academics, lawyers, and politicians, sent a letter to Gabriel Revel, Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, calling for the recognition of Abdullah Öcalan’s “right to hope.”

 

Marco Grimaldi, a member of Parliament, and Vice President of the Green-Left Alliance Parliamentary Group and one of the letter’s signatories, shared his perspective with Mezopotamya Agency (MA) on the ongoing process and the importance of the “right to hope.”

 

Grimaldi first criticized the fact that the process on the state and government side was defined as a “terror-free Turkey,” stating that this definition alone does not reflect a genuine peace process. He also emphasized that laws are needed for a real democratic transition and noted that Turkey remains very far from such a process. 

 

‘THE ONLY LEADER WHO SPEAKS OF PEACE’

 

Referring to the 27 years of isolation imposed on Abdullah Öcalan, Grimaldi stated that Abdullah Öcalan has never ceased to work and produce ideas despite his imprisonment. He said: “The ‘Manifesto for a Democratic Society’ speaks not only to Kurdish society, but also to the societies of the entire region and the global community. In a Middle East in flames and at a time when Western countries are engaged in an unrestrained rearmament race, Öcalan, together with Marwan Barghouti, is the only leader speaking about peace. For this reason, his freedom could have a disruptive impact on the entire world.”

 

‘AN OBSTACLE TO PEACE AND RESOLUTION’

 

Grimaldi stated that international and European institutions should increase pressure for the implementation of the “right to hope,” adding: “The isolation of Öcalan is a violation of human rights and an obstacle to peace and to the resolution of the Kurdish question in the countries where Kurdistan is divided. Öcalan has repeatedly called for political solutions and negotiations; the dissolution of the PKK and the laying down of arms by the movement, that is, the only concrete step toward a possible peace process, can be attributed to him.”

 

‘ÖCALAN IS A POLITICAL AND INTELLECTUAL VANGUARD’

 

Grimaldi stated, “Kurdish communities around the world see Öcalan not only as a leader, but also as a political and intellectual vanguard." He added that Abdullah Öcalan’s figure is also directly linked to the model in Rojava, which defeated ISIS and made possible a pluralistic coexistence between different peoples. Grimaldi noted that Rojava is an inspiration for movements worldwide and pointed to international responsibility: “The survival of the concrete utopia in Rojava, as well as the peace process in the Middle East, concerns all of us.”

 

MA /  Deniz Karabudak