Leader Ocalan: Principle of hope is step state must take

Al-Qarn (The Century) Human Rights Office issued a statement on its visit to Imrali on October 13, and its meeting with Leader Abdullah Ocalan and other detainees there. The statement included, "On October 13, 2025, we, as lawyers, met with Mr. Ocalan and the rest of our clients on Imrali Island Prison. During this visit, we discussed our clients' circumstances and legal status, and exchanged information. In this context, we would like to share Mr. Ocalan's assessments and views on establishing peace with the public opinion.

Mr. Ocalan's legal status within the framework of Right to Hope decision issued by the European Court of Human Rights was one of the most prominent and important topics during our discussions. As we know, after its last session, held between September 15 and 17, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe renewed its call on Turkey to resolve the issue of the right to hope legally in accordance with the European Court of Human Rights ruling.

On this basis, Mr. Ocalan pointed out that the principle of hope is a fundamental and extremely important right. He continued, "The principle of hope is a step that the state must take. It must remove this burden. It is an issue that affects the lives of thousands of people. It must be removed, regardless of its assessment, and it must be legally lifted. Politics and justice dictate this." He stressed the need for the law to exist in this form.

In the context of the Call for Peace and Democratic Society, which he launched on February 27, he declared that all beliefs and sects should be able to express themselves freely, and that everyone has the right to express their nationality and live freely. He confirmed the need to fully include Kurds in the law, considering this the right path to peace. He pointed out that the rights of Kurds have been ignored and they have been excluded from the law to date, emphasizing the need to establish a law for democratic integration from now on.

 While explaining the concepts of legal exclusion and physical and mental captivity, he emphasized, "Life has meaning when it is free. I have said this before: 'O life! Either I live you freely or I consider you never been lived.' This is my motto in life."

Mr. Abdullah Ocalan is known to have pointed out that the fundamental truth underlying social and political problems is the inequality between women and men. He explained that the solution to this lies in a life practice that embraces women's freedom and socialist thought. He stressed that he closely follows and greatly appreciates the works of Jinolojy, and extended his special greetings to all women and female prisoners in prisons.

He called on those who wish to understand him to deepen and participate in the peace process and democratic society we are undergoing, and emphasized the importance of working for freedom in developing and implementing this process.

J.J