The European Court of Human Rights' (ECtHR) ruling on 18 March 2014 that the imposition of aggravated life imprisonment on PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan without the right to conditional release is a "violation of the right to hope" has not been implemented despite the 10 years that have passed. The ECtHR's legal regulations and amendments demanded from Turkey to eliminate the "violation of the right to hope", which the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) considers within the scope of the "prohibition of torture and ill-treatment", have not been fulfilled by Turkey. Recently, in connection with the developments in Syria, discussions have been initiated on whether the ECHR's ruling on PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan's right to hope should be implemented.

 

 

Commenting on the discussions, Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) Êlih (Batman) Branch Co-chaşr Şirin Şen reminded that the issue was also on the agenda of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers and that the Committee asked Turkey to take the necessary steps in this regard. Reminding that the Committee of Ministers gave Turkey until 25 September 2025, Şen called on Turkey to comply with international law and to make legal arrengements on this issue.  

 

'VIOLATING THE PROHIBITION OF TORTURE'

 

Stating that the non-implementation of the "right to hope" decision means the continuation of torture, "MHP Leader Devlet Bahçeli made a statement about the right to hope. The right to hope is a right in name. The recognition of a right cannot be tied to another condition. This is not legal. The ECHR finds the situation of being imprisoned until death against the prohibition of torture. Not recognising this right is a violation of the prohibition of torture," he said. 

 

Emphasising that Turkey has not taken any steps on this issue for 10 years, Şen said that this right must be implemented immediately without making it a subject of bargaining.