17.10.2025 13:40
The PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan spoke about the recently discussed "right to hope" in a statement made through his lawyers. Öcalan stated, "The principle of hope is a step that the state must take. It needs to lift this burden. This is an issue that affects thousands of people. No matter how you look at it, this needs to be addressed. From a legal perspective, this must be done."
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The terrorist organization PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan made a statement through the lawyers of the Asrın Law Office, who visited him on Imralı Island on Monday, October 13. In the statement, he made striking remarks regarding the frequently discussed 'right to hope'.
"THIS BAGGAGE MUST BE REMOVED"
The lawyers stated that Abdullah Öcalan said, "The principle of hope is a step that the state must take. This baggage must be removed. This is a matter that affects thousands of people."
REMINDER OF THE ECHR DECISION
The statement from the Asrın Law Office is as follows:
"On October 13, 2025, we held a meeting with Mr. Abdullah Öcalan and our other clients at the Imralı Island Prison. During this visit, we exchanged information regarding the conditions and legal situations of our clients. On this occasion, we would like to share Mr. Öcalan's thoughts and evaluations regarding the establishment of peace with the valuable public.
In the meeting, Mr. Öcalan's legal situation has been one of the primary and important discussion topics in the context of the European Court of Human Rights' decision on the right to hope. As is known, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe recently called on Turkey again after its session on September 15-17, demanding that the right to hope be resolved in accordance with the ECHR decision.
In response to this development, Mr. Öcalan emphasized that the principle of hope is very important and fundamental. He continued directly; 'The principle of hope is a step that the state must take. This baggage must be removed. This is a matter that affects thousands of people. No matter how you look at it, this must be removed. Legally, this must be done. Both politics and justice require this.' highlighting the necessity of the law."
"DEMOCRATIC INTEGRATION LAW MUST BE BUILT"
"In connection with the February 27 Peace and Democratic Society call, he stated that everyone has the right to express their nationality and live freely, just as there is a necessity for beliefs and sects to express themselves freely. He said that the rights of the Kurds must be included within the law as a whole; he expressed that true peace is this. He explained that until today, the rights of the Kurds have been disregarded and excluded from the law, but today, the democratic integration law must be built.
While explaining the physical and mental captivity caused by exclusion from the law, he emphasized, 'Life is meaningful if it is lived freely. I have expressed this before. 'Oh life! I will either live you freely or consider you as never lived.' This is my life motto, my slogan.'
It is known that Mr. Öcalan has identified the fundamental reality underlying social and political problems as the inequality of women in relation to men. He explained that the solution to this inequality is possible through socialist thought and a women's liberation practice. He stated that he closely follows the studies of Jineology and attributes great value to them, and he sent special greetings to all women and prisoners in prison.
He invited those who want to understand him to deepen the peace and democratic society process we are going through and to participate in this process. He expressed the importance of working for freedom in terms of developing and practicing the process."
BAHÇELİ HAD BROUGHT IT TO THE AGENDA
In a call made by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli on October 22, 2024, to Öcalan, he said, "If the isolation is lifted, let him come and speak at the DEM Party group meeting in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Let him proclaim that terrorism has completely ended and that the organization has been dissolved. If he shows this determination and resolve, the legal regulation regarding the use of the 'right to hope' should be made, and his benefit from it should be opened wide."
WHAT IS THE RIGHT TO HOPE?
The right to hope is a regulation concerning the situation of prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment who cannot benefit from the possibility of conditional release. The essence of the decision is based on the evaluation of the ECHR regarding the case known as Vinter and others in the UK in 2013.
The court ruled that the application of life sentences without the possibility of review or release after a certain period constitutes a violation of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Article 3 of the Convention states that no one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
In its 2013 decision in the case of Vinter and others, the ECHR ruled that life sentences should be reviewed after a maximum of 25 years and that the conditions for the release of prisoners should be evaluated.
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