Laure Castel, Co-Chair of the Left Group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), has stressed the need for Turkey to take “concrete steps” towards resolving the Kurdish issue, starting with the release of Abdullah Öcalan.
Speaking to Medya News correspondent Hüseyin Elmalı in Strasbourg, Castel evaluated the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party delegation’s recent visit to Öcalan at Imralı Prison, describing it as a significant moment in Turkish politics. “Things are moving, and this could mark a shift in the future,” she said.
Castel continued:
“The Turkish government has permitted these visits, which suggests they may be considering dialogue. But dialogue requires trust, and Turkey must demonstrate that it is serious. The first step should be the release of Abdullah Öcalan.”
Castel emphasised that a sustainable resolution to the Kurdish question requires trust-building steps, beginning with Öcalan’s release:
“If Turkey wants to prove its commitment, it must take a significant step forward. Releasing Abdullah Öcalan would be the clearest signal of its willingness to engage in genuine dialogue.”
She also suggested that a third-party mediator—possibly an independent international body—could facilitate the process.
“Both sides must be able to trust each other. Mediation could help bridge this divide and ensure that discussions take place outside of political pressures.”
Castel outlined the legal and political mechanisms that the Council of Europe (CoE) and its institutions could use to hold Turkey accountable:
“The CoE’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) can push for declarations, demand answers from the Committee of Ministers, and question the Secretary General on Turkey’s obligations. The Committee of Ministers must consider triggering formal procedures against Turkey for failing to comply with European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings.”
She also pointed to the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) as a key institution that must increase its pressure on Ankara to allow them access to Öcalan. “Turkey has been warned of consequences if it continues to violate legal rulings, but it is time for these threats to turn into action,” she said.
Turkey’s Attacks on Rojava and International Silence
On Turkey’s military operations in Northeast Syria (Rojava), Castel criticised Ankara’s attempts to block Kurdish self-governance and autonomy.
“Turkey is exploiting the situation to suppress Kurdish political structures, while international powers like France, Germany, and the US remain passive. The Kurds must not be abandoned.”
She highlighted the importance of protecting the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) as part of a long-term political solution for the region.
As a Catalan politician, Castel reaffirmed her support for the Kurdish people’s right to self-determination. “I strongly believe that every people have the right to decide their own future. This applies to Kurds in Syria, Iraq, and Turkey. Their rights must be protected through democratic means,” she asserted.
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While recent political shifts in Turkey indicate potential movement on the Kurdish issue, Castel stressed that without meaningful actions—such as Öcalan’s release and a commitment to peace talks—the situation risks stagnation.
She concluded by calling on European institutions to increase pressure on Turkey and ensure that Kurdish political rights remain on the international agenda.
