The President of the Van (Wan) Branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD), Mehmet Salih Coşkun, spoke to ANF about the demand for the right to hope and the isolation policies in Imrali.

Coşkun emphasized that the right to hope entered legal discourse through a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). 

Coşkun said: "The right to hope was first introduced in a case filed against the United Kingdom at the ECtHR. In Turkey, it became a topic of discussion following the ruling concerning Abdullah Öcalan. The right to hope is a legal resolution ensuring that a person will not remain in prison for life without the possibility of release. The resolutions of the ECtHR, as well as the recommendations of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, have urged Turkey to introduce the necessary legislative changes. A legal framework must be established by September 2025. We can define this timeframe as such, but it is essential to remember that the concept of the right to hope emerged as a result of an ECtHR ruling, which found a violation of Article 3 of the ECHR."

No legal obstacle to the implementation of the right to hope 

Coşkun added that democratic circles have been advocating for the right to hope for years. "However, after Devlet Bahçeli's (chairperson of the MHP) remarks on the right to hope in October, the issue has gained broader attention. Its enforcement in Turkey is certainly possible, and there is no legal obstacle preventing it."

Coşkun further added: "Discussions are ongoing about whether a legal regulation on the right to hope will be introduced as a result of political evaluations and negotiations. As the IHD, we firmly state that this right cannot be conditional. The right to hope must be incorporated into legal regulations unconditionally. Our call, first and foremost to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) and all relevant institutions, is for the formal recognition and regulation of the right to hope."  

The isolation imposed on Öcalan and other prisoners remains in place

Stating that the isolation imposed on prisoners in Turkey's prisons is still ongoing, Coşkun said: "We have documented this in our reports. As the IHD, we visit both regional and other prisons. Based on the statements of the prisoners, we have released reports. Unfortunately, prisons are a reflection of a society under oppression. Prisoners are even deprived of their national and international legal rights. Specifically regarding Mr. Öcalan, we can say that although certain delegations have visited him, he is still not allowed to meet with his family or lawyers. The visit by the DEM Party (Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party) delegation to İmralı has not ended the isolation. Unfortunately, we cannot say that the isolation has been lifted. In line with legal rulings and ECtHR case law, all legal rights must be granted for the isolation in İmralı to come to an end. However, this has not yet been realized."