Hüseyin Küçükbalaban, co-chair of the Human Rights Association (IHD), emphasized that in a context where political balances in the Middle East are rapidly shifting, the state must now take concrete steps regarding the ongoing process.

In response to the government’s failure to take meaningful action in the current stage of the Kurdish question, Hüseyin Küçükbalaban shared his views with ANF.

The principle of equality in sentencing has been blocked

Hüseyin Küçükbalaban said that the widely criticized 10th Judicial Reform Package failed to meet any expectations. He explained that the package, which excludes political and seriously ill prisoners, effectively blocks the principle of equality in sentencing. Emphasizing that nothing has changed, especially for ill prisoners, Küçükbalaban noted that release decisions or sentence postponements still depend heavily on reports from the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK) and the judgments of Prison Administration and Observation Boards.

It is clear that the government has no agenda

Hüseyin Küçükbalaban pointed out that nearly 4,000 individuals sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment have already completed their minimum term and should be eligible for release. He noted that about 800 of them have reached their legal release dates, yet remain imprisoned due to arbitrary decisions made by Prison Administration and Observation Boards. Küçükbalaban said: “On the one hand, there are calls for people who have taken up arms to disarm and reintegrate into society. On the other hand, there are political prisoners whose sentences have been completed, yet their release is being unlawfully obstructed. This contradiction reveals that the state is confused and unprepared for this process, both administratively, legally, and politically. There is also a societal blockage, because, unfortunately, in Turkey, society often aligns itself with the stance of the ruling power. Even though human rights organizations and civil society institutions have been calling for proactive steps since the beginning of this process, the government still hesitates to take action. In Abdullah Öcalan’s call for ‘Peace and a Democratic Society’ on 27 February, there were expectations for steps toward the development of democracy, freedom of expression and press, and the recognition of Kurdish rights. But so far, we see no sign that the government has a concrete agenda in this regard.”

The state continues its military operations

Küçükbalaban added that although the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) convened its 12th Congress and declared its decision to disarm, the state has neither taken any steps in response nor ceased its military operations in Southern Kurdistan (Başur). He said: “The PKK has announced its decision to disarm, and Abdullah Öcalan is positioned as the key figure leading this process. Yet the state has not taken a single step. Worse still, it continues military operations in Southern Kurdistan. This is not just a contradiction, it is a deeply troubling stance that raises serious concerns among both the Kurdish and Turkish people. We can observe that the PKK has taken some steps to reduce this climate of mistrust, but the state has done nothing to ease the uncertainty or to build confidence.”

Unlike international examples

Küçükbalaban emphasized that the process currently unfolding in Turkey differs significantly from peace and resolution processes elsewhere in the world. He noted that in international examples, disarmament is always the final step. Küçükbalaban recalled that such processes typically begin with a negative peace phase, such as a ceasefire and a halt to military operations, followed by democratic reforms, with disarmament coming only at the end. He also pointed out the delay in establishing a parliamentary commission, and continued: “By now, a commission should have been formed. Parliament will go into recess at the end of this month. There should have been subcommittees, working groups focused on key issues, initiatives involving civil society, and outreach to the public. None of this has been initiated so far. All steps have been postponed until October. This delay does not inspire public confidence. It leads many to believe that the state has no agenda when it comes to recognizing Kurdish rights or democratizing Turkey.”

A grassroots peace movement must emerge

Küçükbalaban stressed the importance of not leaving the peace process solely to the discretion of the state. He continued: “Unfortunately, despite forty years of war in Turkey, a strong peace movement has never truly emerged. Only the Kurdish people’s allies and human rights defenders have spoken out against the brutality of this war, but a broad-based social sensitivity has not developed. This is a major shortcoming. At the very least, now that a disarmament decision has been made, civil society organizations, trade unions, political parties, professional associations, human rights groups, and women's organizations must embrace the call for peace with greater strength.” He recalled a recent statement by the President, who declared in May that the cost of the forty-year war has reached two trillion dollars. “What does this mean?” Küçükbalaban asked. “It means that the country’s resources have been spent on war. It means that money taken from workers, laborers, and retirees has been funneled into conflict. Even looking at it from this perspective alone, a broad, societal peace movement must take shape.”

‘The right to hope’ is not just a legal matter

Küçükbalaban said once again that, in a region where political dynamics in the Middle East are shifting rapidly, the state must take concrete steps in the peace process. He underlined the need to end military operations in Southern Kurdistan, implement the "right to hope", and release seriously ill prisoners. Küçükbalaban said that the right to hope is already a requirement under the state’s international obligations and does not require any constitutional amendment. He stated that this right is not only a legal issue, but also a human, moral, ethical, and political matter. He continued: “When the death penalty was abolished in Turkey, it was replaced by aggravated life imprisonment, and the main target was Abdullah Öcalan and, through him, the Kurdish people. Now, the government claims to want to resolve the Kurdish question, which has persisted for forty years, but it continues to keep one of its most central actors, Abdullah Öcalan, in solitary confinement for the past 26 years. He was allowed to see his family during the Eid al-Adha holiday, but lawyers are still barred from visiting him on Imrali Island.” Küçükbalaban referred to international examples and added: “In South Africa, Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years, but when the dialogue process began, he was moved to house arrest. Today, the Minister of Justice in Turkey can still say that the right to hope is not on their agenda. Yet Turkey is a member of the Council of Europe, and the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has ruled that Turkey must immediately change its regulations regarding aggravated life sentences.”

Democratic life has been taken hostage

Küçükbalaban said that since 2023, the Human Rights Association has submitted monthly applications to the Ministry of Justice requesting permission to visit Imrali, but they have yet to receive any response. He recalled the international campaign titled “I want to meet with Abdullah Öcalan,” and emphasized that it is incomprehensible for the state to continue imposing restrictions in this context. Küçükbalaban said, “Abdullah Öcalan had not been allowed any visits for nearly six years. Although family visits resumed in October, this does not mean the isolation has been lifted. The law is not functioning. In fact, in Turkey, the entire democratic sphere has been taken hostage through the Kurdish question. Press freedom and freedom of expression have been taken hostage. The freedom to assemble has been taken hostage. As long as the Anti-Terror Law (TMK) remains in place, it is misleading to claim that there is a genuine process underway. Without amending this law, there is no chance of resolving any issue. Under the current legislation, even the smallest act of protest or public statement results in detention. This law must be changed first.”

The 11th judicial reform package must be introduced

Küçükbalaban stressed the need to introduce the 11th Judicial Reform Package, which should include provisions for seriously ill and political prisoners as part of efforts to build peace and a democratic society. He also emphasized the importance of civil society organizations, human rights groups, and victims of the war coming together swiftly to create pressure on the state to take meaningful steps toward peace.