WAN - Representatives of civil society organisations stated that the government must take steps regarding Abdullah Öcalan’s status, saying: “The status of the Kurdish People’s Leader must be recognised and legal regulations must be implemented as soon as possible.”

 

More than a year has passed since Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan issued his Call for Peace and a Democratic Society on 27 February 2025, yet no concrete step has been taken by the state or the government. The government has also remained silent in the face of calls for the recognition of Abdullah Öcalan’s status.

 

 

Civil society organisations in Wan (Van), including the Mesopotamia Association for Solidarity and Support with Families Who Lost Relatives in the Cradle of Civilisations (MEBYA-DER), the Association for Solidarity with Families of Prisoners and Convicts (TUHAY-DER), and the Wan branch of the Human Rights Association (İHD), spoke to our agency on the matter.

 

Hanım Kaya, Co-Chair of the Wan branch of MEBYA-DER, stated that no one has confidence in the process unless Abdullah Öcalan’s status is determined and legal steps are taken. Recalling the steps taken by the PKK following Abdullah Öcalan’s call, Hanım Kaya criticised the government and the state for failing to take any steps for more than a year and a half. She said there is stagnation on the government side and that this stance is undermining public confidence.

 

Hanım Kaya noted that although Abdullah Öcalan has held some meetings, his working conditions have not been regulated and his physical freedom has not been ensured. “Legal steps must be taken without delay,” she said.

 

‘STATUS MUST BE RECOGNISED, LEGAL REGULATIONS MUST BE MADE’

 

Nedim Şipal, an executive of the Wan branch of TUHAY-DER, criticised the government for failing to respond to the Kurdish people’s steps, saying: “Our demand is that the state and the government recognise the status of the Kurdish People’s Leader without wasting any more time and make the necessary legal arrangements.”

 

‘LEGAL STEPS MUST BE TAKEN’

 

Mehmet Salih Coşkun, Co-Chair of the Wan branch of the İHD, stated that the process, which has continued for a year and a half, has not been placed on a legal and juridical basis. He noted that there has been a period without conflict since the call was made. Coşkun said that both the Kurdish Freedom Movement and some political parties in parliament have called for the determination of Öcalan’s status and the securing of his freedom.

 

“Legal and political steps must be taken as soon as possible. Necessary regulations must be made to allow the return of organisation members and politicians living abroad. Legal regulations also need to come into force so that political prisoners currently held in prisons can regain their freedom,” he said and added that IHD have been continuously working in this regard. 

 

MA / Bilal Babat