Melek Avcı

 

ANKARA - Former Member of the European Parliament Julie Ward, evaluating the Imrali talks and the isolation process, said: "We know that Öcalan chose the path of peace, he was just waiting for others to catch up with him! Ending the isolation and stopping the bombardment would be a sign of goodwill. If this is not done, Erdoğan will not emerge as a man of peace, but as a hollow leader with no credibility."

 

While political contacts with İmralı continue in Turkey, a large number of international participants, including academics, trade unionists, politicians, human rights defenders and 69 Nobel Prize winners, have recently written a letter addressed to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe calling for the freedom of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan.

 

The letter was addressed to the Chair of the Committee, Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, and demanded that Abdullah Öcalan be granted immediate access to his lawyers and family, and that he be finally released. In the same letter, it was pointed to the talks with Abdullah Öcalan and emphasised that Abdullah Öcalan is ready for a peaceful process despite his 26 years of imprisonment and called for concrete steps, stating that this process is critical for ending the conflict in Turkey and contributing to lasting peace in the Middle East.

 

Former Member of the European Parliament Julie Ward, one of the signatories of the letter, commented on Turkey's continued isolation and the letter they wrote.

 

‘We must be outraged and keep raising our voices’

 

"The continued isolation of Abdullah Öcalan is an inconceivable violation of human rights,” said Julie Ward, emphasising that a few short family visits are insufficient to address the rights of Turkey's most important political prisoner.  Julie Ward, "The CPT wrote in a report published in 2002 that, "To hold persons in solitary confinement for years on end cannot be justified under any circumstances." The delegation that had visited Imrali and met with Mr Öcalan subsequently urged the Turkish authorities to comply with their recommendations to end the isolation. More than 20 years have passed since then and the Turkish authorities have chosen to ignore this group of experts (and others) , demonstrating their disregard for international law and human rights norms. We should not be surprised but we must be outraged and we must continue to speak out.”

 

‘If Erdoğan wants to improve his image, he should start at home’

 

Referring to the initiation of talks with Abdullah Öcalan, Julie Ward stated that Turkey is located in a conflict zone. For this reason, Turkey needs talks with Imrali, Julie Ward said and added, “The world has changed and continues to change in unexpected ways. Turkey sits uneasily between regions engaged in horrendous conflict and simply cannot afford to get mixed up with the Russia-Ukraine war nor to appear to side too heavily with either party in the Israeli-Hamas conflict. With the fall of Assad a new situation is unfolding in Syria which could draw attention to Turkey's military record across its borders. I suspect Erdogan is thinking about how he will be remembered and history would look more favourably on a leader who opened pathways to peace rather than continued aggression. If Erdogan wants to promote his image as a peace-builder and important interlocutor he needs to begin at home. Also other parties are doing the hard work in opening up this new space for dialogue. Erdogan can take the credit however.”

 

Emphasis on legal basis and international observers for the process

 

Regarding the reference to the parliament and the inclusion of all social segments in the process, which were included in the 7-point messages brought by the DEM Party İmralı Delegation from Abdullah Öcalan on 28 December, Julie Ward said: “We know that Öcalan has chosen the path of peace - he was just waiting for others to catch up! Parliament is indeed crucial in any peace process. The different parties need to agree and to draw up agreements with a strong legal basis. I would like to see, however, the involvement of international experts and observers to help give the process greater weight and legitimacy.”

 

‘If the bombardment does not stop, Erdoğan will be a hollow leader without credibility’

 

Julie Ward criticised the attacks against civilians in North East Syria and the constant threats against Rojava by Turkey while the process is being discussed, and stated that the lifting of the isolation and these attacks will show whether the process is sincere or not. Julie Ward said: “We must continue to talk about these ongoing violations and atrocities, to raise them up in the international media, to shame the Turkish government. Ending Öcalan's isolation and ceasing the bombing will be an important step in demonstrating good faith. I don't see how serious peace talks can take place unless these things change. Erdogan would then appear not as a man of peace but as a hollow leader with no credibility. He has the power to end Öcalan's isolation and to stop the bombs.

 

‘Let's keep our eyes on the peace prize’

 

We must keep our eyes on the prize, which is a just and sustainable peace with a clear role for the Kurdish community and other minorities to contribute to shaping the future. The international community did not turn away over the past years but instead built a vast body of knowledge about the Kurdish situation and developed an  extraordinary bond of solidarity. That continues via the strong networks of trust we have built with our Kurdish friends. I often think about my HDP friends, for example, who, like me, won elections but were imprisoned for trumped-up charges. Also my amazing Kurdish women friends who take so much inspiration from Öcalan's teachings. And also all the artists, writers, academics and journalists, who exercised their right to freedom of expression only to find themselves in prison.

 

‘Signs are positive, let's keep our focus as an international community’

 

Stating that the international community should closely follow the developments and take action when necessary, Julie Ward said: "The international community must continue to be a voice for those who don't have a voice, to demand an inclusive approach, to encourage when there is progress and to express concern when there is disagreement and stalemate.  As I said before, I feel that there should also be a formal international oversight body that can act as a conduit for information and support.  I can't predict the future but I think the signs look positive. And we in the international community must not look away but maintain our focus.”