“Abdullah Öcalan must be freed to build peace,” said Basque MEP Pernando Barrena Arza as he joined three fellow Members of the European Parliament in urging Turkey to release the jailed Kurdish leader and initiate a genuine peace process. Speaking at a vigil in Brussels on Tuesday, the MEPs highlighted the critical role Öcalan plays in resolving the Kurdish question and fostering stability in the Middle East.
The vigil, held in freezing temperatures, aimed to shed light on the isolation imposed on Öcalan in Turkey’s İmralı Island prison, where he has been held since 1999. With recent visits to Öcalan renewing hopes for dialogue, the MEPs called for immediate action to address Kurdish grievances, respect human rights and pursue peace.
“Mr Öcalan represents the Kurdish people’s aspirations for freedom,” said Arza, a member of the Basque EH Bildu Party. He emphasised that Öcalan’s release is essential not only to end the injustice of his imprisonment but also to allow him to play a pivotal role in building peace. Barrena stressed the importance of respecting the diversity of ethnicities and religions in Syria, adding, “A fair future for Syria cannot be achieved without the participation of the Kurdish people.”
Sebastian Everding MEP, from Germany’s Tierschutzpartei (Party for People, Environment and Animal Protection), highlighted the long history of structural discrimination faced by Kurds in Turkey, including restrictions on their language and culture, arbitrary arrests and other forms of repression. He noted, “Abdullah Öcalan recently spoke out clearly in favour of reconciliation and peace. It would be a strong sign if Öcalan were allowed to take his message of peace to the Turkish parliament.” Everding warned that Turkey’s ambitions for the EU would remain unattainable unless the country demonstrated a genuine commitment to protecting minority rights. “Mr Erdoğan must realise that without the protection of minorities, the door to the European Union will remain closed forever,” he stated.
La France Insoumise MEP Leila Chaibi expressed her admiration for Kurdish activists, recalling a pro-Kurdish demonstration in the European Parliament chamber in December. “Thank you for this action that allows you to call on the European deputies,” she said. Chaibi urged Turkey to respect the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (EHCtR), which she said affirm Öcalan’s right to a fair trial. “We are with you for the liberation of Abdullah Öcalan and more broadly for the autonomy of the Kurdish people,” she declared, praising the Kurdish movement’s commitment to democracy, feminism, equality and solidarity.
Andreas Schieder, an Austrian MEP from the Social Democratic Party and co-chair of the Kurdish Working Group in the European Parliament, acknowledged the enduring efforts of activists campaigning for Öcalan’s freedom. He described Öcalan as a potential “Nelson Mandela for the Kurdish people” and called for his release to facilitate meaningful dialogue. “The Kurdish people have been a source of stability in Syria. It is extremely important to release Abdullah Öcalan and start these talks, allowing him to become what he needs to be,” Schieder noted.
The vigil coincided with a period of renewed hope for the Kurdish peace process, following the first visits Öcalan has been allowed in over four years. These visits, by his nephew and a delegation from the Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, have raised expectations for dialogue. However, the Turkish government has so far made no significant concessions and continues its military campaigns in Syria, which critics say aim to undermine Kurdish autonomy.
Despite the oppressive environment, Öcalan has reiterated his willingness to negotiate for peace, a stance that resonates strongly with Kurdish communities. His supporters argue that his involvement is crucial to achieving a peaceful and democratic resolution to the Kurdish question. Yet, as Schieder pointed out, Turkey’s approach remains a critical obstacle. “Without peace and self-determination for the Kurdish people, there can be no lasting stability in the region,” he said.
As Turkey faces mounting international scrutiny, the MEPs urged European governments to apply pressure on Ankara to end Öcalan’s isolation and engage in meaningful dialogue. The calls for his freedom, they argued, represent not only a step towards justice for Öcalan but also a broader push for democracy, human rights and lasting peace in a volatile region.
