Kurdistan Workers' Party Demands Completion of Bahçeli's Initiative Regarding Öcalan's Release

SadaNews - Mustafa Karasu, a leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), called on the leader of the Turkish Nationalist Movement Party, Devlet Bahçeli, to complete the initiative he launched last October regarding the release of Abdullah Öcalan.

 

Karasu pointed out that there has been an "objectionable approach" to the right to hope for years, stating: "The European Court of Human Rights reminded of the right to hope ten years ago. Last year, a warning was issued in this regard. A year later, the matter was revisited, but the authorities have not taken any steps in this regard yet."

Karasu mentioned that Bahçeli, during his speech, called on the PKK to disband its ranks, abandon armed struggle, and activate the right to hope. He added: "In fact, he proposed allowing Öcalan to speak in parliament, but the authorities did not dare to give him a chance to speak in parliament. Otherwise, it would have been possible to clarify the reasons for dismantling the PKK and stopping armed struggle more effectively to public opinion. They did not do this, but Bahçeli also demanded the activation of the right to hope."

The PKK responded to its leader Abdullah Öcalan's call to stop the armed struggle and announced the dissolution of its organizations and laying down arms.

Karasu emphasized the need for Bahçeli to fulfill what he proposed in his speech, saying: "Bahçeli must hold on to his word and ensure the activation and implementation of the right to hope. This is not just a random speech issued by Bahçeli; rather, he delivered this speech in agreement with Erdoğan. It is a vision of a partner in the ruling coalition. Therefore, this authority that currently manages the country should do what is necessary regarding the right to hope."

During the parliamentary group meeting of the Nationalist Movement Party in parliament on October 22, 2024, Bahçeli delivered a speech in which he called for giving Abdullah Öcalan the opportunity to speak from the parliament platform during the meeting of the Democratic and Equality Kurdish Party if the isolation imposed on him is lifted, saying: "Let him announce the end of terrorism and the abolition of the organization. If he shows this will and determination, let the legal amendments related to using and benefiting from the right to hope be opened to the table."

It is noteworthy that the "Right to Hope" law project grants prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment instead of the death penalty, a chance to return to society after a certain period of their sentence and to revive their hopes of gaining freedom again.

Source: "Zaman"