leader's lawyer: Turkey did not take any practical steps for hope right to leader

After Leader Abdullah Ocalan announced peace and democracy on February 27, the PKK held its 12th congress and announced to cease all activities by the name of the PKK. After the announcement of the party, the attention was drawn to the steps that were waiting for the Turkish state.

Leader Abdullah Ocalan's lawyer and Peoples' Democracy and Equality Party (DEM) MP Newroz Uysal Aslan assessed what happened following the congress in an interview with ANHA news agency exclusively.

"Mutual steps will accelerate the process."

Uysal Aslan added that if the Turkish state makes the necessary steps, the process will accelerate, going on as follows: "The February 27 call was a very important step in Kurdish-Turkish politics and in Turkish politics and the Middle East as a whole. It made a huge impact on the region. If we look at positions of power and the government, nothing has changed in the isolation regime imposed in Imrali even after the congress. Calls of lawyers and families remain unanswered. During this period, the DEM did not hold a single meeting in Imrali. Nevertheless, the 12th PKK congress was held, and a decision was made regarding Mr. Ocalan's call. We can say that this process will accelerate with reciprocal steps. This will pave the way for great developments in Turkey and the region."

"No steps have been taken in terms of the right to hope."

Uysal Aslan continued by stating that conditions and requirements regarding Leader Abdullah Ocalan must be met for the process to move forward: "We cannot say that any steps have been taken in terms of the right to hope. Mr. Ocalan's influence on the region is not unknown. We, as the DEM Party, have raised the issue with all international organizations. The fact that the process may be affected by Mr. Ocalan's freedom requires steps to be taken in this direction. The right to hope is an issue of law. According to international law, this right can be obtained. The Turkish state can implement this right, and it is supported by international agreements. Nevertheless, despite all our efforts, no steps have been taken so far in this direction."

"In order to go to a political and legal platform, measures need to be taken.

MP Uysal Aslan emphasized the need to proceed from war and violence to democratic politics and said, "Many talked after the 12th Congress. When we listen to them, we see that everyone points to Mr. Ocalan for finding a solution to the Kurdish problem. Not only the DEM, but all world powers refer to this. When we consider what Mr. Ocalan said at the beginning, and move beyond war and conflict circumstances, and enter a political and legal platform, we can find a solution. To arrive there, measures should be taken. Political and legal measures should be taken. Legally, this process must proceed on the grounds of certain laws. The position of Mr. Ocalan, who is the focal figure of the process, must be corrected. Ways of dialogue must be opened. A committee should be formed in Parliament. This committee should follow the roadmap of the process. The country's transition to democracy should be step by step. These democratic steps should be made publicly available to society. People wish to see these steps." 

"The Kurds in the Middle East have turned into the axis of balance."

MP Newroz Uysal Aslan expressed that the Kurdish struggle for a period of one century has affected the world and Middle East tremendously. She went on, "Since the beginning of this call, the impact of this process on Syria can be felt. We can say that Northern Kurdistan (Turkish Kurds) will influence North and East Syria. Domestic developments in Turkey have also affected Syria. Syria's progress has also accelerated this process. The Kurds in the Middle East are now the axis of equilibrium. This process, in other words, will not only stay in one part but will influence all four parts of Kurdistan and the areas of Kurdish residence. What the Kurds will do for reunification will also influence the process."

T/S

ANHA