Kalkan: No progress by Turkey on physical freedom of Leader Ocalan

Duran Kalkan, member of the Abdullah Ocalan Academy for Social Sciences, evaluated the events that followed Leader Abdullah Ocalan’s call for peace and a democratic society, the decisions of the 12th Congress of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the Turkish state’s attacks on the Medya defense areas despite the ceasefire, in addition to the war between Israel and Iran in the Middle East and the policy of democratic communalism.

The evaluations of Duran Kalkan were given in an interview with Medya Haber TV, which broadcasts in Turkish. The text of the interview is as follows:

“First of all, I respectfully and appreciatively greet Leader Abdullah Ocalan. I want to reaffirm that the resistance in Imrali lights the way forward. Recently, on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, a meeting reportedly took place and was covered by the media — it was the first time in 27 years that he was able to meet with children.

Leader Abdullah Ocalan kept his promise. He said, ‘I can do this,’ and he did. He made the call and pointed the party in the right direction. The party held its congress and decided to dissolve itself and end the strategy of armed struggle. This was made clear to the public with documents. The PKK responded to Leader Ocalan and implemented his call. But has there been any change in Imrali...?

Before October 23, 2024, no meetings were held, no rights or laws were implemented. None existed.

There was an arbitrary administration, a political administration, and a stance of captivity. Has that changed? Yes, some meetings were held, and Leader Ocalan's messages were shared. A dialogue phase also began. However, as we understand it, the situation in Imrali has not moved beyond dialogue. There is discussion, yes, but no further progress. The changes in Imrali are also limited to these meetings. Legally speaking, the changes made so far are less than those in other prisons and have not been fully implemented.

In this regard, there is no change or progress concerning Leader Abdullah Ocalan’s physical freedom. That must be made clear. Meetings were held with the delegation of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party, and efforts continued at the level of dialogue. Beyond that, there is no concrete dialogue process. In other words, there has been no progress or effort toward the physical freedom of Leader Abdullah Ocalan.

The parliament should have taken responsibility and drafted a law. But it became clear that the current government, the AKP-MHP alliance, enacts laws as it pleases. No effort whatsoever has been made in this regard. Several meetings were held with the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party’s officials, and they repeatedly mentioned having hope and showed support. However, the parties did not convene in parliament and did not take a single step for Leader Apo’s physical freedom or to enforce the "right to hope."

It was again suggested that parliament should take on this responsibility. If it does, what would happen? We know that in 2013–2014, committees were formed, and we know how they were rendered ineffective. It seems the same type of committee may be formed again. But this committee will not be structural or capable of managing the process, opening a path toward legal resolution, or enabling parliamentary action. It would merely be an advisory committee providing information to President Erdoğan.

There is no serious intention within the AKP to meet the requirements of such a process. This also means there must be pressure on the current government, the AKP administration, through struggle and democratic action. In this context, Devlet Bahçeli made a statement. I previously said: there are hopeful words, but nothing more. Words, but no implementation. The same situation continues, and Bahçeli's words are losing impact due to lack of follow-through. That’s why applying pressure on the current government is essential, and efforts must be made in that direction.

This process is not solely about the government, or Leader Abdullah Ocalan, or the PKK leadership. It concerns all of society. What’s being sought affects everyone. Leader Ocalan’s call includes all parties. The PKK’s decisions affect everyone. Therefore, everyone must adopt this process and take on their responsibilities.

The way forward is through more effective struggle. The government, especially the AKP, must be pressured. Is there such a struggle? Yes.

For example, a very important campaign has begun demanding a meeting with Leader Abdullah Ocalan. This campaign started outside the homeland. Everyone must support it, in Turkey, in Kurdistan, and abroad. This demand must be made visible in the media. In fact, there must be a direct meeting with Leader Abdullah Ocalan.

Everyone should participate from children to the elderly, women and men, employees and non-employees. This is a vital struggle.

On the other hand, the international campaign for Leader Abdullah Ocalan’s physical freedom is ongoing and must be intensified and expanded. It seemed to fade after one or two meetings, but Leader Ocalan’s call underscores how important this struggle is. Therefore, we must escalate, strengthen, and develop this campaign. It is essential and critically important.

Additionally, the legal struggle must also be escalated. This is not a favor from the AKP but a matter of existing law. After 25 years, Leader Abdullah Ocalan should have been released. European laws stipulate this, and Turkey is subject to them too.

Now it has been 27 years. This exceeds the legal limit. In Turkey, those who have served 30 years are not released either. This applies to Leader Abdullah Ocalan’s case. Therefore, a legal struggle must be waged at all levels and should not weaken or retreat under any circumstances.

I will add one more thing. It seems as if Pandora’s box, (“Pandora’s box” is a metaphor taken from Greek mythology, used to describe a source of great problems or uncontrollable disasters that begin with a simple or innocent matter), has been opened in this issue. Now everyone stands and says, “I want this, I want that.” There is a suppressed social reality whose rights have been taken away. It is true that everyone demands their rights, and they have the right to do so. I join them and will say nothing. But now, if everyone demands everything, won’t there be pressure on those who are asked? Achieving all these demands is linked to the democratization of Turkey, and the democratization of Turkey is also linked to the freedom of the Kurds, and the freedom of the Kurds is also linked to the physical freedom of Leader Apo.

Therefore, all demands must be voiced, democratic and legal rights, but they must be connected to the physical freedom of Leader Abdullah Ocalan. They must not be separated. The context must not be lost. If someone wants something, it must be in the context of democracy and Leader Abdullah Ocalan’s physical freedom.

Because all other demands are tied to this. Without it, trying to achieve other demands would be a mistake. Such mistakes must be avoided. Therefore, our people, our friends, patriots, democratic circles, peace-loving peoples, those seeking Kurdish freedom, democratization in Turkey, and those striving to build a free and democratic life in the Middle East and the world, all must strengthen and develop the struggle for Leader Abdullah Ocalan’s physical freedom in this process. This is the basis of our call.”

To be continued...

A-H 

ANHA