The Swiss government has welcomed Abdullah Öcalan’s ‘Call for Peace and a Democratic Society’ and expressed its willingness to support peace negotiations in Turkey. In response to a 5 March parliamentary question from MP Fabian Molina, the Federal Council also urged Turkey to uphold international human rights law regarding the Kurdish leader’s isolated detention as a Council of Europe member.
Öcalan’s peace call of 27 February “can offer a perspective for a peace agreement”, the Swiss Federal Council said on 10 March, offering its services to aid a peace process in Turkey.
“Switzerland is prepared to make its services available if this is requested by all parties and if it can provide added value.”
The council also reaffirmed its support for implementing the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT)’s recommendations on Öcalan’s 26-year isolation on Turkey’s İmralı island and stated that it regularly urges Turkish authorities, through the Council of Europe (CoE) and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), to uphold its human rights obligations and the rule of law. In 2024, the CoE advocated for legal reforms in Turkey to allow for the review of aggravated life sentences, citing Öcalan’s right to life.
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