‘There can be no trust without the right to hope’

2026-02-14 12:48:47


	 

	ISTANBUL – Speaking on the anniversary of the conspiracy against Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, women called for the immediate implementation of the usurped “right to hope” and for Abdullah Öcalan to be granted physical freedom.

	 

	Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan was arrested on February 15, 1999, as part of an international conspiracy and imprisoned in Imrali F-Type High Security Prison, where he has spent 26 years. The process Abdullah Öcalan has been subjected to is considered today not only a violation of law but also a violation of the “right to hope” guaranteed by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings. The ECHR's ruling on the violation of Abdullah Öcalan's “right to hope” continues to retain its relevance and importance. 

	 

	Women emphasized that the physical freedom of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan is now an urgent necessity that cannot be postponed.

	 

	‘If the state wants to inspire confidence in us, it must guarantee the freedom of the leadership.’

	 

	Suphiye Teymurtaş: February 15th is a dark day for all of us. We do not want war. The unity and brotherhood of the Kurdish people is very important in this process. The more we call for peace, the more they insist on war. They cannot finish us off by killing us. The system never wanted peace. Because they feed on war and blood. This is unacceptable. Today is a day of existence or extinction for the Kurds. All states are attacking the Kurds. When it comes to the Kurds, everyone is silent. They want to destroy the Kurds, but the Kurds have achieved unity; they cannot finish off the Kurds. The Kurds are right. Because we are not friends with oppression; we are against it. That is why the physical freedom of the Leader is very important to us. I have no trust in this state. We took a step, but the state has not taken a step yet. We have not seen a glimmer of hope. They say peace, but they go and attack Rojava; they say peace, but they cut women's hair. Peace cannot be achieved this way. If the state wants to gain our trust, it must first secure the physical freedom of the Leader. It must open the prison doors. If it does these things, then it will gain our trust. Only then will we believe that lasting peace is possible. Our faith is in the Kurdish people. We trust and believe in ourselves.

	 

	‘Leadership must be outside’

	 

	İpek Çakan: On February 27, the leadership sent us a message, showing us the way and the method. We must embrace this message. However, the physical freedom of the leadership is essential. We want our leadership. The leadership has been in prison for 28 years. It must now be among its own people. We are always following the Leader. The Leader should not be in prison, but among his own people. We have accepted him as our Leader. We want our Leader. The Leader must be outside.

	 

	‘The state is not sincere’

	 

	Raşide Yıldız: Without our Leader being free, without us being free, the Kurdish people will not be free either. Without the Leader's freedom, there can be no peace. We have only one demand: the physical freedom of our Leader. Only when the Leader is free can peace, democracy, and equality be achieved. The Kurdish people have been resisting for years and have paid a heavy price. On February 15, the Leader was arrested in an international conspiracy. That day was our darkest day. We do not want another dark day. The right to hope is often discussed, but no steps are being taken regarding the right to hope. We have no trust in the government. The right to hope must be implemented immediately. They cannot deceive us any longer. They are stalling us. We do not accept this insincerity. If the right to hope is implemented, the Kurdish people will feel secure.

	 

	‘Abdullah Öcalan must be among his own people’

	 

	Kiymet Keleş: We have always demanded peace. We have demanded freedom and equality. Equality and freedom are our rights. Of course, we have demands. At the top of our demands is Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom. Abdullah Öcalan must be among his own people.

	 

	‘A step is needed for peace’

	 

	Yeter Erkmen: I greet the struggle led by the leadership with love and respect. We want our leadership to be free. We do not want war. We want the Peace and Democratic Society Process to succeed as soon as possible. Steps are needed for peace. The government must take a step immediately and release our leader.

	 

	'Political prisoners must be released immediately'

	 

	Havva Ögün: We have never accepted this injustice, and we never will. We will resist as long as we exist. We now want concrete steps. First, the physical freedom of the Leadership, then the immediate release of all political prisoners. They talk about Kurdish-Turkish brotherhood. What brotherhood? We are ready to do whatever we can. They must also take steps.