Title: Freedom for Öcalan! The Process for Peace and Democratic Society and the ‘Right to Hope’
Publisher:Campaign Committee - Freedom for Öcalan,
Political Solution to the Kurdish Question
Release date: 2025

In 1999, Kurdish peoples’ leader#Abdullah Öcalan# was abducted as a result of an international conspiracy and imprisoned in Imrali Island Prison. Despite this, his movement remains central to Kurdish struggles for autonomy and democracy in the Middle East. His theories inspire global movements for women’s liberation, ecology and coexistence. Today, as a key interlocutor within ongoing process for ‘Peace and Democratic Society,’ and legitimate representative of the Kurdish people, the conditions must be created for Mr. Öcalan to participate fully in the process, and eventually for his freedom. With regards to legal processes, the implementation of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) 2014 decision on the “Right to Hope” remains crucial, in recognising Mr. Öcalan’s right to have his case reassessed, and eventually to secure his freedom.

In September 2025, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe will discuss again this case, and Turkey’s refusal to implement decisions of the ECtHR. This is a key opportunity for European institutions take a clear stance on this topic, and to support democratisation in Turkey. The decisions of the court, and mechanisms for their implementation are there, what is needed now is political will, action realising a commitment to democratic politics.[1]