RIHA – Abdullah Oncel, Chair of the Riha Bar Association, emphasized the need for constitutional and legal forms based on equal citizenship and mother tongue education to achieve lasting societal peace. He underlined the importance of implementing the “Right to hope”. 

 

Following Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s “Call for Peace and Democratic Society”, the PKK declared its decision to end armed activities at its 12th Congress, a move that continues to echo nationally and internationally. 

 

‘A SOCIETAL MILESTONE’

 

Describing the PKK’s disarmament as a “turning point,” Oncel said: “This is a meaningful decision. The support from political actors, including the opposition, gives us hope. But peace isn’t just the absence of arms, it requires open dialogue and legal reform to restore basic freedoms.”

 

‘TRUSTEE APPOINTMENTS VIOLATE THE LAW’

 

On what must be done for sustainable peace, Oncel stated: “We need constitutional changes that reinforce equal citizenship. Appointing trustees to replace elected mayors is a violation of voters’ will and must end. Removed mayors should be reinstated immediately.”

 

‘ILL PRISONERS MUST BE FREED’

 

Calling for the release of ill prisoners, “Thousands were imprisoned under vague claims of membership. We need legal changes for those who laid down arms. Selahattin Demirtaş and others who did legal political work must also be freed. Many were punished just for opposing the government,” Oncel said.

 

Criticizing prosecutions despite the organization’s disbandment, Oncel noted: “If the organization no longer exists, charges like ‘membership’ or ‘aiding’ are baseless. Tens of thousands were victimized, those imprisoned under these claims should be released, and their rights restored.”

 

‘RIGHT TO HOPE MUST BE APPLIED’

 

Oncel recalled the ECtHR’s 2014 ruling that lifelong imprisonment without parole violates the prohibition on torture, adding: “The Right to hope must apply to Abdullah Öcalan. More than 50,000 lives have been lost; countless others were displaced or imprisoned unjustly. Everyone, from Öcalan to Bahçeli, Önder, and the İmralı delegation, contributed to this process. Now, bar associations and legal institutions must step in.”

 

He outlined urgent legal reforms: “There must be legal guarantees for former fighters, and a new constitution that proves this is genuine peace. Kurds must see themselves as equal citizens, with mother tongue education protected.”

 

‘A NEED FOR CONSENSUS’

 

Concluding, Oncel said: “People are thirsty for peace. The door has been opened, both by the state and the PKK. Now it’s up to civil society to ensure it stays open. We must prevent those who profit from conflict from sabotaging this moment. Brighter days await Turkey.”

 

MA / Emrullah Acar