Abdullah Öcalan’s historic “Call for Peace and a Democratic Society” on 27 February was followed by the 12th Congress of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), where a series of landmark decisions were made concerning the democratic resolution of the Kurdish question. These congress decisions continue to echo on the international stage. Commentaries from around the world have welcomed the PKK’s move, emphasizing that this historic step toward a peaceful and democratic solution to the Kurdish issue must be taken seriously by the Turkish state.

Italian lawyer Ezio Menzione spoke to ANF about the recent developments.

Erdoğan must take responsibility

Lawyer Ezio Menzione described the decision taken by the PKK congress as highly positive steps toward a democratic resolution of the Kurdish question and emphasized that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan must respond with concrete actions.

Lawyer Menzione continued: "In my opinion, the PKK's decisions are very positive. It was time to move from armed struggle to political struggle. Now is the time for political engagement.

I believe these decisions are very meaningful. They followed Mr. Öcalan’s statement, which pointed in the same direction. But, of course, they also raise some important questions. In such a situation, there are two sides on the ground; on one side, the Kurdish people and the PKK, which are now talking about dissolution, and on the other, the Turkish government. Peace requires reciprocity. It takes two sides.

The PKK has made its position clear. Now we need to verify the Turkish government’s intent. I am not so sure whether they are genuinely moving toward peace. So far, we have not seen any real developments. There have been many statements from the Kurdish side. President Erdoğan only referenced Bahçeli’s statements and has not made any remarks of his own.

I would have expected the president of the entire country to clearly speak in support of the congress’s statement. And I also expect the Turkish government to take steps in that same direction."

Öcalan is the guarantor of the process, he must be freed

Lawyer Ezio Menzione stressed that it is unacceptable for Mr. Öcalan to remain imprisoned despite the decisions made at the PKK congress. He said: "Mr. Öcalan is the guarantor of this process. He must be released immediately," and continued: "Despite the process now underway, the conditions in which Mr. Öcalan is being held are entirely incompatible with any civilised standard. This is a situation that exists in no other country. To be held in isolation for 26 years is unimaginable. In my opinion, the central issue is the situation of Mr. Öcalan himself. One of the two actions I expect from the Turkish government is his immediate release. Only Mr. Öcalan can guarantee that the decision taken by the congress is just and that it can succeed. He alone possesses the intelligence, courage, and balance required to guide the process of dissolution in the way the congress envisioned. For this reason, Mr. Öcalan’s freedom must be secured within a matter of days."

What is the Turkish side waiting for?

Lawyer Menzione asked: "What is the Turkish side waiting for? What are they hoping will happen?”, and continued: “I repeat: Mr. Öcalan must be released. As even Devlet Bahçeli has suggested, he must be allowed to go to parliament. Mr. Öcalan should be the true guarantor of what may be a long journey toward peace and reconciliation between both sides. Another key issue is the release of all political prisoners. This should not take a year, it must happen within a week. Normally, when two sides reach a peace agreement, there is a prisoner exchange. The previous state of affairs is reversed. Now, the PKK is becoming a structure that will no longer exist. And there will no longer be a threat or danger that could justify keeping people in prison. I do not believe that thousands of people are truly dangerous or pose a threat. They are simply opponents of the government. Most of them have expressed their opposition through political means. They must be released immediately. If this happens, it will mean that Turkey genuinely wants to make peace with the Kurdish people. It will also show that the government aspires to represent not just one faction, but the entire country. Otherwise, it means the government wants to remain at war with part of its own population."

A demonstration of sincerity must be made

Lawyer Menzione added: "If we are talking about peace, then why are thousands of people still in prison? Lawyers, journalists, mayors, elected officials… For example, why is Selahattin Demirtaş still behind bars? If peace is truly the goal, what meaning can these imprisonments possibly have? This is not just about Demirtaş or a few prominent figures. Everyone imprisoned on the grounds of being a member of the PKK or having any alleged connection to it must be released. If the PKK is no longer going to exist, if it will no longer be considered a ‘threat’, then there is no justification for continuing to imprison these individuals.

That is why the Turkish state must take two immediate and concrete steps: Mr. Öcalan must be released, and so must all those imprisoned for alleged ties to the PKK. If these two steps are taken, it will mean that Turkey is truly moving toward peace and acting in good faith, just as declared in the PKK’s congress."

Europe must change its stance

Lawyer Menzione emphasized that both Europe and the United States must now revise their position towards the PKK. He said: "Europe’s decision regarding the PKK followed the position taken by the United States. But now, European institutions must change their stance toward the PKK, toward what was the PKK. This structure will soon be a thing of the past, a former reality. What now stands before them is a peaceful organization that represents the Kurdish people."