“The right to hope exists, it’s a right,” Tuncer Bakırhan, co-chair of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party spoke to reporters after his party’s weekly parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday, rejecting Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç’s claim that the concept does not exist in Turkish law. Bakırhan pointed to international legal precedents, including rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), arguing that Turkey is bound by universal legal standards.
“There are decisions from international courts, including the ECHR. This issue seems beyond the Justice Minister’s authority,” Bakırhan stated. “If universal legal principles are to be upheld, then the ‘right to hope’ must be recognised. This is not something we invented. If a solution is to be found, if peace is to be achieved, then ‘hope’ must be part of the equation.”
Bakırhan also confirmed that his party had officially requested a visit to Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader, ahead of the Kurdish Newroz festival. He criticised the government’s stance on Öcalan’s isolation, dismissing claims that he is not being held in solitary confinement. “Are we supposed to believe that there’s no isolation? Has Mr Öcalan met with his lawyers or family in the last four years? This is shameful,” he said.
Regarding Öcalan’s potential role in delivering a message for Newroz, Bakırhan stressed the importance of any statement from him. “We closely follow any message that contributes to peace, regardless of form. If such a message arrives before Newroz, it will be significant,” he stated.
Asked whether a delegation could visit İmralı on 21 March, Bakırhan responded, “It’s possible. The Justice Minister answers everything—perhaps you should ask him this as well.”
