Catalonia’s largest left-wing political party has officially welcomed the historic call by imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to disband and for Turkey to undergo a democratic transformation. In a statement released through its international branch, the Republican Left of Catalonia (Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya or ERC) expressed full support for the Kurdish movement and Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Eqaulity and Democracy (DEM) Party, urging the Turkish government to engage in a genuine peace process.
Öcalan, who has been imprisoned for 26 years under conditions of severe isolation, including nearly four years of incommunicado detention, made his appeal on 27 February, calling for an end to the armed conflict and proposing a path towards democracy and reconciliation. Since his announcement, international pressure has grown for Turkey to respond positively, with mounting calls for Öcalan’s release as part of a broader peace settlement.
In a video statement by posted on the X account of Esquerra International, the ERC’s foreign affairs branch, ERC Senator Laura Castel said:
"We congratulate the Kurdish movement and the DEM Party on their progress following the conference in Imralı. The path to peace and democracy must be built on dialogue and recognition of rights. Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan!"
Castel, a long-time advocate for Kurdish rights, delivered the party’s message in a video statement. The politician, who has actively campaigned for Öcalan’s freedom, stressed the significance of his call and called on Turkey to take steps toward peace.
"We, the Republican Left of Catalonia, welcome the historic call of Mr Öcalan, and we hope it will be a turning point in the peace process for the Kurdish situation. This clear message in favour of democracy is crucial in pressuring the Turkish government to move in the same direction. So now it’s time for the Turkish government to act."Esquerra International also issued a written statement reinforcing the party’s position:
"We congratulate the Kurdish movement and the pro-Kurdish DEM Party on their progress following the conference in Imralı. The path to peace and democracy must be built on dialogue and recognition of rights. Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan!"
Castel has been a consistent advocate for Kurdish political rights and self-determination, regularly engaging with European institutions and human rights organisations to demand a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue. She has also been one of the leading voices in Catalonia calling for Öcalan’s release, arguing that his freedom is crucial for ensuring a sustainable peace process.
Her long-standing support has included participation in international campaigns against Turkey’s military operations in Kurdish regions, as well as calling for an end to Öcalan’s isolation, in line with international human rights standards.
The party’s endorsement aligns with a growing list of international political organisations, prominent personalities, European bodies and human rights groups that have publicly supported Öcalan’s initiative and urged Turkey to respond with democratic reforms.
Since Öcalan’s call, several European political actors have voiced their support, including Nacho Sánchez Amor, the European Parliament’s Turkey rapporteur, and leading progressive parties across Europe. The growing international momentum has raised expectations that Turkey may come under greater diplomatic pressure to commit to meaningful negotiations with Kurdish representatives.
Both Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Turkey’s far-right nationalist leader Devlet Bahçeli have publicly welcomed Öcalan’s statement, describing it as a historic opportunity to end armed conflict and ensure national unity. The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) was the first political party in the country to welcome the call, with its leader Özgür Özel urging the government to be courageous and take the necessary steps toward democratisation. CHP officials have stressed that any resolution must be pursued transparently and in line with the authority of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, the country’s parliament.
As support for a negotiated peace process gains traction, pro-Kurdish groups have intensified their calls for Öcalan’s release, arguing that his involvement is essential for a lasting political solution.
