Lawyer: Leader Ocalan’s freedom key to peace process success

The Co-Chair of the Kobani Bar Association, lawyer Roziv Kino, spoke to ANHA Agency about the important role of leader Abdullah Ocalan in the current phase and the significance of securing his physical freedom as a key step toward establishing peace.

Roziv Kino explained that leader Ocalan’s “Call for Peace and a Democratic Society,” issued on 27 February 2025, led to several developments, including the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announcing its dissolution during its 12th congress, in response to the call.

She said: “On the ongoing process in Northern Kurdistan, the Turkish state has not yet taken any serious steps. The measures taken so far have been unilateral only.”

She emphasized that the success of this process requires serious action from the Turkish side, noting that time can no longer tolerate further delay.

Roziv Kino added: “Leader Abdullah Ocalan has stated in his assessments that the process has reached a legal stage, which requires reviewing several provisions, including the right to hope for the leader, because the success of this process is linked to achieving his physical freedom.”

She pointed out that one legal provision grants prisoners who have served 25 years in prison the right to benefit from the “right to hope,” noting that Öcalan has spent 28 years in prison without this right being applied, which she described as a violation of laws, despite Turkey being a signatory to human rights conventions that it does not fully implement.

In conclusion, Roziv Kino stressed the need to protect rights and clarify certain laws in Turkey, reaffirming that the success of the peace process depends on achieving the physical freedom of Abdullah Ocalan.

ANHA