There is a historic opportunity for lasting peace for Turkey and the region. Abdullah Öcalan’s call for peace and a democratic society, shared with the public on February 27, 2025, is a critical step towards ending the long-standing conflict and violence and
initiating a democratic resolution process. This call not only carries great potential for the stability and protection of human rights in Turkey but also for the entire region.
Peace is one of the most fundamental values of humanity and is at the forefront of the universal principles that form the basis of international law. It is also an indispensable necessity for everyone to fully benefit from human rights. As a state,
Turkey must fulfil its responsibilities to its own people and the people of the region, meet its obligations arising from international law, and take the necessary steps to
establish peace.
In this process, creating conditions that will allow Abdullah Öcalan’s active participation in the peace process is of great importance. This not only ensures the protection of his fundamental rights, including the right to communicate with the
outside world and the ‘right to hope’ in response to over 25 years of imprisonment but also provides a significant opportunity for the implementation of democratization and the principles of the rule of law.
According to the United Nations Right to Peace Declaration, the establishment of peace requires ensuring equality, justice, and the supremacy of law; it necessitates building a society free from fear and deprivation, and free from discrimination. Accordingly, it is essential for Turkey to quickly review its penal laws, anti-terrorism laws, and similar regulations in the light of the decisions and recommendations of the European Court of Human Rights and international legal mechanisms, and to implement the necessary reforms. Ensuring judicial independence must be one of the cornerstones of this process. Additionally, for the achievement of societal peace, Turkish authorities need to plan and implement necessary regulations concerning political prisoners in jails.
Furthermore, cultural and social adjustments should be made in line with the necessities of a pluralistic society, and an environment where everyone has equal rights should be created.
In essence, the state of Turkey and the Turkish people are faced with a historic peace opportunity after a conflict process that has lasted 50 years. Authorities are obligated to ensure the cessation of arms and to establish an environment where the people of Turkey can enjoy peace and tranquillity with equal rights and freedoms.
We, the undersigned legal organizations, call on Turkey and all actors of peace to seize this historic opportunity and take the steps required by the peace process. Every step taken towards peace and the strengthening of human rights, justice, and democracy not only holds great importance for the future of Turkey but for the entire region as well. The construction of peace is our common responsibility. In this context, we call on all international public opinion to support the peace call and take an active role in fulfilling the requirements of this call.
There is a historic opportunity for lasting peace for Turkey and the region. Abdullah Öcalan’s call for peace and a democratic society, shared with the public on February 27, 2025, is a critical step towards ending the long-standing conflict and violence and
initiating a democratic resolution process. This call not only carries great potential for the stability and protection of human rights in Turkey but also for the entire region. Peace is one of the most fundamental values of humanity and is at the forefront of the universal principles that form the basis of international law. It is also an indispensable necessity for everyone to fully benefit from human rights. As a state, Turkey must fulfil its responsibilities to its own people and the people of the region, meet its obligations arising from international law, and take the necessary steps to establish peace.
In this process, creating conditions that will allow Abdullah Öcalan’s active participation in the peace process is of great importance. This not only ensures the protection of his fundamental rights, including the right to communicate with the
outside world and the ‘right to hope’ in response to over 25 years of imprisonment but also provides a significant opportunity for the implementation of democratization and the principles of the rule of law.
According to the United Nations Right to Peace Declaration, the establishment of peace requires ensuring equality, justice, and the supremacy of law; it necessitates building a society free from fear and deprivation, and free from discrimination.
Accordingly, it is essential for Turkey to quickly review its penal laws, anti-terrorism laws, and similar regulations in the light of the decisions and recommendations of the European Court of Human Rights and international legal mechanisms, and to
implement the necessary reforms. Ensuring judicial independence must be one of the cornerstones of this process.
Additionally, for the achievement of societal peace, Turkish authorities need to plan and implement necessary regulations concerning political prisoners in jails.
Furthermore, cultural and social adjustments should be made in line with the necessities of a pluralistic society, and an environment where everyone has equal rights should be created.
In essence, the state of Turkey and the Turkish people are faced with a historic peace opportunity after a conflict process that has lasted 50 years. Authorities are obligated to ensure the cessation of arms and to establish an environment where the people of Turkey can enjoy peace and tranquillity with equal rights and freedoms.
We, the undersigned legal organizations, call on Turkey and all actors of peace to seize this historic opportunity and take the steps required by the peace process. Every step taken towards peace and the strengthening of human rights, justice, and democracy not only holds great importance for the future of Turkey but for the entire region as well.
The construction of peace is our common responsibility. In this context, we call on all international public opinion to support the peace call and take an active role in fulfilling the requirements of this call.
Turkey must do its part to achieve peace following Abdullah Öcalan’s call!
Asociación Americana de Juristas
Association for Democracy and International Law (Maf-Dad)
Democratic Jurists, Italy (Giuristi Democratici)
European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH)
European Democratic Lawyers (AED)
Giza Eskubideen Behatokia (Observatory of Human Rights) Basque Country
International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI)
Legal Centre Lesvos
Legal Team Italia
National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), Philippines
Socialist Lawyers Association of Ireland
Swiss Democratic Lawyers
The Defence Commission of the Barcelona Bar
The National Association of Democratic Lawyers (South Africa)