On 18 March 2014, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled that Abdullah Öcalan’s sentencing to aggravated life imprisonment without any possibility of conditional release violated the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), a principle referred to as the “right to hope.” The court called on Turkey to make legal amendments accordingly. In subsequent decisions, the ECtHR ruled similarly in the cases of prisoners Hayati Kaytan, Emin Gurban, and Civan Boltan. However, despite the passing of 11 years, Turkey has failed to take any steps to comply with the ruling. On 9 August 2022, the Asrin Law Office, the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), the Human Rights Association (IHD), the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV), and the Foundation for Society and Legal Studies (TOHAV) submitted a joint application to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe demanding implementation of the ECtHR decision. In its response to the Committee, the Turkish government claimed that “inmates sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment may be eligible for conditional release; however, certain crimes are exceptionally excluded from this possibility.” During its session held on 17–19 September 2024, the Committee of Ministers placed the ECtHR’s violation rulings back on its agenda for the first time in three years and urged the Turkish government to take the necessary measures without further delay. The Committee also warned that if no progress is made, it will prepare an interim resolution at its session in September 2025.
On 15 September, the Committee of Ministers will begin a session to monitor the implementation of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. The ongoing proceedings for the introduction of the ‘Right to Hope’ in Turkey will also be discussed at this meeting. The Committee will also evaluate whether Turkey has fulfilled its obligations regarding the “Right to Hope” for Abdullah Öcalan, Emin Gurban, Civan Boltan, and Hayati Kaytan.
The Congress of Kurdish Democratic Societies in Europe (KCDK-E) has called for a four-day sit-in strike in Strasbourg from September 15 to 19. The demonstration will demand that the Council of Europe implements its decision on Turkey, and the ‘Right to Hope’ for Abdullah Öcalan.
In a statement released on Sunday, the KCDK-E called for the immediate release of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has been held as a political hostage by the Turkish state since 1999. The KCDK-E cited a 2014 ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, which deemed the aggravated life sentence imposed on Öcalan to be a violation of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
“The ECtHR ruling found that the lack of realistic prospects for release violates the right to hope,” the statement said. “This constitutes a clear violation of international human rights standards. Öcalan is not just an individual, but symbolizes the political demands of millions of people. His imprisonment must therefore also be assessed in political terms,” KCDK-E underlined.
The Kurdish umbrella organization in Europe called on democratic organizations, trade unions, women’s and youth movements, and human rights initiatives to take part in the four-day protest. The action is to be peaceful and understood as an expression of international solidarity and constitutional responsibility. The sit-in is planned to take place on Avenue de l’Europe in Strasbourg. The gathering will begin at 10 a.m. each day, with the actual protest taking place at 12 noon.
Source: ANF News
