European delegation calls for release of Leader Abdullah Ocalan during its visit to Turkey

As part of the "I Want to Meet Abdullah Ocalan" campaign, 39 people from various European countries arrived in Istanbul, Turkey, yesterday. The delegation, which included journalists, writers, academics, unionists, parliamentarians, and lawyers, held a meeting at a hotel in Taksim today.

A banner was hung in the meeting room reading: "International Meeting on the Peaceful Solution to the Kurdish Issue and Ending Isolation."

The meeting was attended by a large number of figures, including Meral Danış Beştaş, spokesperson for the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDK), Keskin Bayındır, co-chair of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP), and Sabahat Tuncel of the Free Women's Movement (TJA).

Following the meeting, a joint statement was read, delivered in Turkish by Ferhat Koçak, member of the German Bundestag for The Left, and Eulalia Reguant Cora, head of foreign relations for the Catalan Party (CUP), in English.

"Ocalan made a courageous appeal."

The delegation's statement expressed its support for the Kurdish people: "We call on the Turkish authorities to take concrete steps to initiate constructive and sincere dialogue and peace negotiations with all parties in the Kurdish community. We also reiterate our call on all progressive movements, parties, and people in Turkey to work together to make this process a success. Only through these efforts can lasting and sustainable change be achieved and the path to a truly democratic Turkey be paved."

The statement emphasized the need for the Turkish authorities to respect human rights and fulfill their international responsibilities: "In an era where the international landscape is increasingly shaped by hostility and aggression, there is a historic opportunity to resolve the Kurdish issue through dialogue and negotiation, two essential elements of a democratic society. In an era where the Middle East is on fire and many countries are engaged in an unlimited arms race, Mr. Ocalan is one of the most powerful voices advocating for peace and disarmament. Mr. Ocalan has issued a courageous call for disarmament for a peaceful and democratic solution to the conflicts that have been ongoing for more than 40 years."

Highlighting "Democratic Confederalism"

The statement noted that Leader Abdullah Ocalan's idea of ​​"democratic confederalism" is a model not only for Turkey but for the entire region.

The delegation noted in its statement that "for the democratic process to reach its full potential, it is essential to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Ocalan and all other political prisoners whose rights are being violated."

He explained that, "Their continued detention raises serious concerns. A key issue during their detention is respect for human rights, especially since Mr. Ocalan has been held in extreme isolation on Imrali Island Prison for 26 years, unlawfully deprived of his basic rights. This is a clear violation of national and international legal standards."

The delegation's statement called on the Turkish government to act in accordance with the principles of justice, democracy, and peace. We will follow the steps taken by the government, and we hope that Turkey will move toward a democratic process and an inclusive society.

T/S
ANHA