The process initiated by Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan has come this far with the steps taken by the Kurdish Freedom Movement. The state and the government, on the other hand, have limited themselves to making statements instead of taking concrete steps during this process.

 

 

Lawyer İbrahim Kaya, a member of the Lawyers for Freedom Association (ÖHD), made evaluations regarding the process.

 

Kaya emphasized that the Kurdish issue, which has continued for over a century, has been attempted to be resolved through different methods until now, but a permanent outcome has not been achieved. He reminded that since the beginning of the process, concrete steps have largely been taken by Abdullah Öcalan and the Kurdish Movement.

 

Addressing the work of the commission established within the Parliament, Kaya stated that the report prepared emphasized the necessity of democratization and legal regulations, but despite this, concrete steps have not been taken. Noting that the parties to the process and the public now expect legal measures to be taken, Kaya said that expectations have been postponed.  

 

Kaya added that Abdullah Öcalan was effectively accepted as the chief negotiator in the process, but this situation has not been defined in the legal and political framework, saying, "This deficiency undermines confidence in the process. Öcalan's status needs to be legally recognized and related regulations must be made."

 

Emphasizing that legal regulations concerning peace should not be delayed, Kaya said that it is necessary to secure the disarmament process legally. Kaya said that this is a requirement of the rule of law. Kaya also pointed out that European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decisions are not being implemented and said that these decisions can be carried out within the existing law.

 

Recalling the ECHR's 2014 “right to hope” decision regarding Abdullah Öcalan, Kaya stated that despite the time that has passed, no legal regulation has been made on this matter. Kaya noted that the “right to hope” is not only related to Abdullah Öcalan, but is a principle-based regulation, and that many political prisoners could benefit from this right. Referring to Nelson Mandela, Kaya stated that the process in Turkey also requires this.

 

Kaya continued: “Extending the process makes it vulnerable to both internal and external interventions. The recognition of Abdullah Öcalan's status, the implementation of legal regulations, and the enactment of peace laws are necessary for the healthy progress of the process.”

 

MA / Mehmet Gules