Iraqi Communist Party: Ocalan’s “right to hope” must be addressed legally, humanely

ANHA agency conducted an interview with Iraqi politician and Central Committee member of the Iraqi Communist Party, Dr. Ali Mahdi, discussing developments in the peace process in Turkey, the impact of granting leader Abdullah Ocalan the “right to hope,” as well as the political and legal challenges related to achieving any democratic settlement and the future of dialogue and civil peace in the region.

The following is the text of the interview:

How do you view the importance of Abdullah Ocalan obtaining the “right to hope” at this stage?

The issue of the “Right to Hope” is discussed to be described as matter related with international humanitarian and legal standards concerning prisoners, especially those who have spent long periods in detention. From this perspective, the issue should be handled within a legal and rights-based framework that respects principles of justice and human rights.

At the same time, any approach to this issue must take into account the political and security complexities in the region and the importance of moving toward peaceful solutions and political dialogue instead of continuing armed conflicts.

It cannot be ignored that Abdullah Ocalan holds significant political and symbolic influence within a broad segment of the Kurdish movement, making his presence an influential factor in supporting any path toward dialogue and reconciliation within Turkey.

The success of any political process also requires involving forces and figures capable of influencing their social and political constituencies, thereby strengthening opportunities for de-escalation and stability.

Therefore, any steps that help create a positive atmosphere for dialogue may contribute to the success of political settlement efforts and the development of more realistic approaches to resolving outstanding issues, in a way that serves the stability of Turkey and the region as a whole, while respecting state sovereignty, applicable laws, and the rights of all communities.

To what extent could this contribute to advancing the peace process and enhancing opportunities for a democratic solution?

Any step that reduces tension and opens channels of dialogue can positively contribute to advancing the peace process and enhancing opportunities for a democratic solution, especially in complex and historically rooted issues where experience has shown that security-based approaches alone are insufficient for achieving sustainable solutions.

In this context, the presence of figures with broad political and social influence, such as Abdullah Ocalan, may help create the necessary atmosphere for dialogue and encourage different parties to engage in calmer and more realistic political processes.

The success of any peace process also requires building mutual trust and taking gradual, balanced steps that pave the way for democratic solutions, whether regarding cultural and political rights, expanding political participation, or strengthening the principle of citizenship.

It is clear that Turkey’s stability and democratic progress positively affect the overall situation in the region. Therefore, supporting peaceful solutions and political dialogue remains the most rational and effective option for achieving long-term stability.

What are the main legal and legislative steps that the Turkish state should take to ensure the success of the process?

The success of any peace process or sustainable political settlement requires providing a legal and constitutional environment that builds trust among the various parties and establishes mechanisms for addressing disputed issues through democratic institutions and political dialogue.

In this context, several important steps can be highlighted, most notably reviewing legislation related to public freedoms, political activity, and freedom of expression in line with constitutional standards and human rights, alongside expanding legal guarantees that ensure equal political participation for all communities.

Strengthening judicial independence, consolidating the rule of law, and adopting clear legal mechanisms to address politically sensitive cases are also essential elements in building trust and creating a suitable environment for successful dialogue and reconciliation.

It is also important to support local administrations and strengthen economic and social development in areas affected by conflict, because stability cannot be achieved through security solutions alone; it requires balanced political, economic, and cultural approaches.

Regarding amnesty or legal settlements, it is necessary to deal with the matter within a comprehensive political vision based on social reconciliation rather than a logic of domination or absolute condemnation.

The success of any peace process requires viewing participants in the conflict as part of a political and social issue requiring historical and political treatment, helping integrate them into public life and open a new chapter based on dialogue and democratic settlement.

In general, the success of any democratic solution depends on the ability of the state and political forces to transform political understandings into practical legal and institutional reforms that ensure stability while preserving the unity of the state and the interests of all its citizens.

How could developments in the peace process affect Turkey?

Any progress in the peace and dialogue process within Turkey could have broad positive impacts politically, economically, socially, and in terms of security.

Domestically, the success of the peace process could help reduce polarization and tension, strengthen political and social stability, and create space for resolving disputes through democratic frameworks and constitutional institutions instead of continued conflict and violence.

Economically, political and security stability is an important factor in attracting investment and stimulating development, especially in regions that have suffered from conflict for many years.

Reducing spending related to military and security matters could also allow more resources to be directed toward development, services, and infrastructure.

At the regional level, Turkey’s success in building an internal dialogue and reconciliation experience would positively affect its political standing and regional role and enhance its image as a state capable of resolving internal issues through political and democratic means.

Any progress in this path could also open the door to a new phase of relations between the state and Kurdish political forces based on mutual recognition and political partnership, helping establish long-term stability.

Thus, the success of the peace process is not in the interest of one side alone; it could represent a general gain for Turkey and all its components if approached with a realistic political spirit based on dialogue and mutual understanding.

What are the main challenges that the “Peace and Democratic Society” project may face in the coming phase?

The “Peace and Democratic Society” project naturally faces a set of political, historical, and security challenges due to the complexity of the issue and the interconnection of its domestic and regional dimensions.

One of the main challenges is the continuing lack of trust accumulated between the different parties as a result of decades of conflict, making any step toward de-escalation or dialogue dependent on mutual guarantees and practical confidence-building measures implemented gradually.

There are also political, security, and economic forces that may see the success of the peace process as a threat to their interests or influence, which could lead to attempts to obstruct dialogue or slow the implementation of required political and legal agreements.

In addition, regional developments, especially the situations in Syria and Iraq play a role, as the interconnected nature of the Kurdish issue across the region means that any internal development in Turkey is also affected by regional transformations and international balances of power.

Another important challenge is how to move from broad political rhetoric to tangible legal and institutional steps related to public freedoms, political participation, economic development, and social reconciliation, since the success of any peace process depends on its ability to achieve results that citizens can feel in practice.

Maintaining the peaceful and democratic nature of the process is also a key challenge, because any return to tension or escalation could undermine trust and weaken the chances of reaching a stable settlement.

Despite these challenges, genuine political will, continued dialogue, and prioritizing national interests can open the way toward building a more stable and balanced experience that benefits all components of Turkish society.

What role can academic and cultural elites play in supporting dialogue and social peace?

Academic and cultural elites can play an important and central role in supporting dialogue and social peace because they possess the ability to influence public awareness and contribute to building a political culture based on understanding, acceptance of diversity, and reliance on democratic means to resolve disputes.

Universities, research centers, and cultural institutions can create spaces for calm and objective discussion away from incitement and polarization and can offer intellectual and legal approaches that help explain the roots of the crisis and ways to address it within the framework of a democratic state and the rule of law.

Intellectuals and academics can also help bridge differences among various communities by promoting a culture of dialogue and mutual recognition and confronting hate speech and nationalist or ideological extremism, thereby strengthening opportunities for coexistence and civil peace.

It is also important for cultural elites to defend public freedoms, human rights, and freedom of expression as fundamental pillars of any stable democratic project, while encouraging civil and community initiatives that support reconciliation and build trust among different parties.

In societies that have experienced prolonged conflicts, culture, thought, and dialogue are often more effective and sustainable tools for addressing divisions than solutions based solely on force. Therefore, the role of intellectual elites remains essential in preparing the social and political climate for any successful peace process.

Your final remarks?

In conclusion, issues of peace, dialogue, and democracy cannot be addressed through security approaches alone. They require a comprehensive political, legal, and humanitarian vision based on mutual recognition and reliance on dialogue and democratic institutions.

Historical experiences in many countries around the world have shown that sustainable solutions to internal conflicts are achieved when there is genuine political will to address the deep-rooted causes of crises and create opportunities for political participation, social justice, and respect for the cultural and civil rights of all communities.

The success of any peace process also requires joint contributions from the state, political forces, civil society, and intellectual and cultural elites to build an atmosphere of trust and understanding and transition from a logic of conflict to one of national partnership.

Thus, supporting paths of dialogue and democratic settlement is not only in the interest of a specific group; rather, it represents a gateway to strengthening stability, development, and social peace and building a more balanced and secure future for all peoples of the region.

About Dr. Ali Mahdi

Dr. Ali Mahdi is a prominent Iraqi academic and political figure. He holds a PhD in Public Law from the Institute of Arab Research and Studies in Cairo. He is a member of the Central Committee of the Iraqi Communist Party, Vice President of the Baghdad Center for Legal and Economic Development – Iraq, and a member of the Iraqi Initiative for Abdullah Ocalan’s Freedom.

ANHA