Besê Hozat, co-chair of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), has fiercely condemned the Turkish Ministry of Justice’s stance on imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s anticipated message, dismissing the ministry’s claim that a video message would violate regulations as “entirely unserious”. Speaking in a special broadcast on Medya Haber Television, Hozat stressed that neither she nor the movement would accept any restrictions placed on Öcalan’s communication, emphasising that the Turkish government’s contradictory stance exposes a deliberate attempt to manipulate public perception while continuing its policy of isolation.
Hozat highlighted that the isolation imposed on Öcalan at Imrali Prison remains intact and questioned the inconsistency in the government’s approach. “For months now, calls have been made from various political figures, including Devlet Bahçeli, urging Öcalan to make a statement,” she said.
"Yet now, the Ministry claims that a video message is not permissible. Does this mean a written statement will be? How does this logic work?"
She further pointed out that while some government officials claim Öcalan’s statement is necessary and historically significant, they simultaneously create legal and bureaucratic barriers to prevent it from reaching the public in an unfiltered form.
She accused the authorities of playing “a game” by creating legal obstacles to prevent Öcalan’s message from reaching the public, despite previously expressing a strong interest in hearing from him. Hozat also reiterated the demand for fundamental legal changes to dismantle the isolation system at Imrali and called for Öcalan’s complete freedom to enable his active role in shaping a democratic transformation process. She noted that these restrictions reflect a broader pattern of political repression and an unwillingness to engage in genuine dialogue.
Furthermore, she insisted that Öcalan’s statement must be delivered in his own voice and image for it to have any credibility. “If the Turkish authorities deem this message ‘historically important’, as parliamentary officials have stated, then they must approach it with seriousness and respect,” Hozat stated. “There is no justification for filtering or altering his words to fit a state-controlled narrative. This is about transparency and the fundamental rights of not just Öcalan but the people who want to hear from him directly.”
Hozat warned that the continued refusal to allow Öcalan to communicate in a direct and unrestricted manner could have serious consequences, not only for political stability but also for efforts to foster peace and democratic progress.
"This is not just about one person; this is about an entire movement, a demand for justice, and the broader democratic struggle in Turkey and beyond. The people deserve to hear his message as it is, without interference."
She stressed that the ongoing isolation imposed on Öcalan is not merely a legal issue but a deeply political one, with broad implications for peace, justice, and democracy in Turkey. According to Hozat, silencing Öcalan is part of a wider strategy to undermine Kurdish political representation and prevent any meaningful resolution to longstanding conflicts.
"The government wants to maintain control over the narrative, but the people are demanding the truth. The more they try to suppress it, the louder the calls for justice will become," she warned.
Hozat also noted that the issue has gained international attention, with growing calls from human rights organisations and political figures worldwide urging Turkey to end Öcalan’s isolation and respect his right to communicate freely. “The world is watching. The longer they continue this undemocratic practice, the more isolated they will become on the global stage. This is about fundamental human rights, and the Turkish government cannot continue to ignore it without consequences,” she stated.
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Hozat also revealed that a letter from Öcalan had already been received, shedding light on his ongoing efforts and political vision despite the severe isolation imposed on him. She described the letter as a crucial political message, reaffirming Öcalan’s unwavering commitment to a democratic transformation and a just resolution to the Kurdish issue.
According to Hozat, Öcalan’s letter makes it clear that he is preparing for a historic initiative, one that seeks to advance the struggle for democracy and peace in Turkey. She highlighted that Öcalan’s 50-year-long fight, coupled with his 26 years of resistance in the extreme isolation conditions of Imrali Prison, has always been dedicated to the democratisation of Turkey and the peaceful resolution of the Kurdish question.
"Öcalan is not merely enduring these conditions; he is actively shaping a vision for the future. Even under the most inhumane restrictions, he is working with great determination, focusing on the freedom and democratic rights of the Kurdish people and all oppressed identities," she stated.
Hozat stressed that the letter demonstrates Öcalan’s deep commitment to structural change and renewal within the movement, advocating for a broad, democratic transformation process. “This is not just about the Kurdish issue. Öcalan envisions a democratic renewal for all peoples of Turkey, for women, for the working class—for everyone who suffers under the current system,” she said. She further noted that the letter underscores Öcalan’s strategic approach to mobilising all available resources, using even the smallest opportunity to push for democratic progress.
She also remarked on the determination and clarity in Öcalan’s words, stating:
"His level of commitment to democratic change, structural transformation, and rebuilding a just system is evident. His message is clear: this is a historic moment that requires action, unity, and an unwavering will."
Hozat criticised the Turkish government for attempting to suppress the letter’s content, warning that such efforts will not succeed in silencing Öcalan’s influence. She called on political forces and the public to recognise the importance of his message, urging them to take it as a directive for action. “The state may try to suppress his voice, but they cannot suppress the impact of his ideas. His words continue to guide the struggle for justice, democracy, and freedom,” she concluded. Her remarks come amid a broader political context in which opposition groups and democratic forces are calling for a resolution to Öcalan’s isolation and a shift towards a more inclusive democratic framework in Turkey. The demands for his message to be heard without restrictions align with a growing international outcry against the policies of isolation imposed on political prisoners. Hozat underscored that the struggle for Öcalan’s freedom is also a struggle for democracy, justice, and peace in the region.
Additionally, Hozat pointed out that the AKP government is intensifying its oppression against all opposition groups, seeking to dismantle dissenting voices across the political spectrum. She noted that the government is not only targeting Kurdish political movements but also extending its crackdown to civil society organisations, independent media, and even Turkey’s powerful business elite.
"The government is not even sparing TÜSİAD, the club of the rich. They are attacking everyone who dares to challenge their authority," she said, referring to the tensions between the ruling party and Turkey’s largest business association.
Hozat argued that this increasing authoritarianism is a sign of desperation, as the government struggles to maintain control amid growing social and economic unrest.
Abdullah Öcalan, the Kurdish leader and the founder of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has been imprisoned on Imrali Island since his capture in 1999 via an international conspiracy plan jointly committed by global powers. For the past 26 years, he has been held under extreme isolation, with only sporadic contact with his lawyers and family.
The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party’s delegation have so far been granted only two official visits to Öcalan during the reconciliation process since October 2024. These visits were crucial in facilitating dialogue and relaying his perspectives to both Kurdish and Turkish political circles. The previous reconciliation process itself, which took place primarily between 2013 and 2015, was an effort to resolve the longstanding Kurdish issue through negotiations between Öcalan, Kurdish representatives, and the Turkish state. However, the process was later abandoned by the Turkish state, and a decade of a return to conflict and heightened repression followed.
The Turkish government’s ongoing refusal to allow legal representatives or political delegations to meet with Öcalan reinforces its policy of extreme isolation. The lack of communication has raised serious concerns among the Council of Europe (CoE), international human rights organisations, and leading Nobel Prize laureates who argue that Öcalan’s continued incommunicado detention constitutes a violation of fundamental rights under international law. The question of whether he will be allowed to deliver a message now reflects broader political tensions and the unresolved nature of the Kurdish issue in Turkey.
