The Party of the European Left and the Left in the European Parliament have formally announced their support for the ‘I Want to Visit Öcalan‘ campaign launched by the European Forum for Freedom and Peace (EFFP), joining the increasing number of international figures and civil society organisations demanding access to the imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. They are also calling for renewed dialogue efforts in Turkey to advance the peace process.
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The Party of the European Left has publicly stated that the initiative invites academics, artists, politicians, journalists, and civil society figures from around the world to recognise Abdullah Öcalan’s pivotal role in resolving the Kurdish question, and to advocate for peace and democracy in Turkey. Öcalan, the founding leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has been held in near-total solitary confinement on Imrali Island since 1999. Visits from his lawyers and family have been severely restricted since 2019, with only brief visits taking place in 2025.
In their statement, the Party of the European Left and The Left in the European Parliament emphasised the importance of Öcalan’s involvement in the peace process. They recognised the public appeal Öcalan made on 27 February for ‘Peace and a Democratic Society’, and emphasised the urgent need to end his solitary confinement, as this prevents him from meaningfully contributing to the process. The statement emphasised that enabling Öcalan’s participation in dialogue is necessary for achieving justice, equality and democracy in Turkey and the wider region. The statement also noted that the ultimate aim is to remove the restrictions that prevent Öcalan from sharing his vision for Turkey, Kurdistan, the Middle East and global democratic transformation.
Martin Schirdewan, Co-Chair of the European Parliament’s Left Group, recently voiced his support for the campaign, describing it as an important step towards resolving the decades-long Kurdish conflict. In a message to the ‘Freedom for Öcalan, a Political Solution to the Kurdish Question’ campaign, Mr Schirdewan referred to Öcalan’s February declaration that the PKK would dissolve itself if Turkey committed to genuine peace talks.
“Abdullah Öcalan has been held in isolation for 26 years by the Turkish state. And despite that, in February this year, he announced that the PKK will lay down its weapons, will dissolve itself if there is a chance for a serious peace process and if there is the will of the Turkish government by the president of Turkey, Erdoğan, to engage in a serious peace process and serious peace negotiations,” Schirdewan said. “I demand the Turkish state to remove all obstacles that might prevent Abdullah Öcalan to present his ideas, his vision for this peace process in Turkey, in Kurdistan and in the Middle East.”
‘I want to visit Öcalan’: EP left co-chair Schirdewan backs peace push
Walter Baier, president of the European Left Party, has reiterated his support for the campaign. He stated that he had formally requested permission from the Turkish authorities to visit Öcalan. In a public message, Mr Baier said that Öcalan’s long-term solitary confinement “has drawn mounting international concern”, and described him as “a key person in any peace negotiations in Turkey and the wider Middle East”. Baier added that Öcalan’s peace proposals are “worth being made known to the Turkish people and to the peoples of the world.”
European Left leader renews call to visit Öcalan, urges peace talks
Launched earlier this month by the EFFP and supported by various civil society groups and prominent individuals, the campaign aims to raise the international profile of, and build momentum for, a peaceful and democratic resolution to the Kurdish question, by encouraging direct civic engagement and solidarity. It is endorsed by legal experts, politicians, academics and trade unionists from across Europe.
The campaign organisers have stressed that Öcalan played a pivotal role in previous peace negotiations between the Turkish government and the PKK, and that his involvement is essential for any future resolution. They warn that his ongoing solitary confinement violates basic legal standards and undermines potential pathways to peace.
Öcalan was a central figure in the peace negotiations that took place between 2013 and 2015, which ultimately collapsed. Since then, the Turkish government has adopted a more militarised approach and completely severed Öcalan’s communication with the outside world.
By endorsing the campaign, the European Left is taking a significant step towards building international pressure on Turkey to allow external access to Öcalan and restart a political process.
