On behalf of the international campaign “Freedom for Öcalan, Political Solution to the Kurdish Question,” we call on the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to ensure Turkey’s implementation of the “Right to Hope” in accordance with the European Court of Human Rights’ judgments in Öcalan v. Turkey (No. 2) and the related Gurban Group of cases. The international campaign started on the 9th of October 2024 with participation of undersigned social movements, trade unions, Nobel Laureates, lawyers, academics, youth, women’s organisations, NGOs, elected officials, and others in its third anniversary renews its demands for the release of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan for the success of the peace process.
This is a decisive moment to support Turkey in fulfilling its obligations as a Council of Europe member state and advancing the ongoing Peace and Democratic Society process initiated by Mr. Abdullah Öcalan. Implementing the Right to Hope is the essential legal step toward ending the regime of extreme isolation imposed on Mr. Öcalan for the past 27 years and enabling him, as the principal negotiator, to participate effectively in the peace process.
The December 2026 meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies presents a crucial opportunity for the Committee of Ministers to reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law, democracy, and human rights through concrete action. A strong decision supporting implementation of the Right to Hope would help Turkey in breaking out of its current deadlock on such fundamental issues, while demonstrating international support for a peaceful and democratic resolution of the Kurdish question.
Mr. Öcalan’s Call for Peace and Democratic Society, announced on 27 February 2025, has had significant impact in Turkey and the wider region. It has contributed to reducing violence and renewed hope for democratic dialogue and peaceful coexistence after decades of conflict. However, for these hope to materialise significant changes domestically and the support of the international community are needed more than ever.
Despite recent legislative developments, Mr. Öcalan remains imprisoned under conditions that severely restrict his fundamental rights and communication with the outside world. While some legal reforms have been introduced, they fall short of genuine democratisation and do not implement the ECtHR’s judgments. Most critically, they fail to address the legal status and working conditions of the peace process’s principal negotiator—an issue widely recognised as vital to the success of any sustainable peace process.
We therefore urge the Committee of Ministers to ensure the full implementation of the ECtHR’s 2014 judgment in Abdullah Öcalan’s case by recognising and enforcing his Right to Hope. This is the indispensable first step toward resolving his legal status and enabling his meaningful contribution to a democratic and peaceful resolution of the Kurdish question.
The Council of Europe has a historic opportunity to support one of its member states on the path toward genuine democratisation. We urge you to translate the Council’s principles into action by taking a clear and active decision at the December meeting.
We further call for Abdullah Öcalan’s release and for him to be granted full, free, and unrestricted conditions to participate meaningfully in the ongoing peace process.