“The right to hope is not a concept in our legislation,” Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç declared, shutting down discussions about potential parole for Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Speaking at a press briefing following an iftar dinner in Ankara on Monday, Tunç addressed key issues including Öcalan’s potential role in calling for the PKK’s disbandment, the government’s stance on ongoing counterterrorism efforts, and recent debates over a general amnesty.
Tunç firmly rejected speculation that Öcalan could be eligible for conditional release under a so-called ‘right to hope’ provision, stating that Turkish law does not recognise such a right. “The conditional release period for life imprisonment is 24 years, while for aggravated life sentences, it is 30 years. However, for those whose death sentences were commuted to aggravated life imprisonment, there is no conditional release,” he explained, directly referencing Öcalan’s case.
The ‘right to hope’ is an international legal principle, recognised by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which argues that prisoners serving life sentences should have the possibility of review and potential release after a certain period, provided they demonstrate rehabilitation. The debate over its application to Öcalan, who has been imprisoned since 1999 after his death sentence was commuted to aggravated life imprisonment, has resurfaced in recent years amid broader discussions on human rights and prison conditions in Turkey. However, Tunç made clear that no legal framework exists in Turkey to allow Öcalan’s case to be reviewed under such a principle.
The minister also dismissed claims that Öcalan would be allowed to send a video message for the upcoming Newroz celebrations, a traditional Kurdish festival. “A live video connection is out of the question. Prison regulations allow inmates to write letters and make phone calls under certain conditions. If he submits a request, it will be assessed,” he stated.
On the topic of a recent statement attributed to Öcalan calling on the PKK to lay down arms, Tunç emphasised that the call was solely directed at the militant group, not the Turkish state. “He says, ‘Hold a congress, dissolve the organisation, and all groups should disarm.’ The call is clear and aimed at the PKK,” Tunç noted. He added that the government’s fight against terrorism would continue regardless of the PKK leadership’s response. “There is no ceasefire. The objective is to free our country from terrorism. If the PKK responds positively, it would mean an end to terrorism in Turkey. If not, counterterrorism efforts will persist.”
Responding to questions about a possible general amnesty, Tunç dismissed the idea, stating that recent legal adjustments had been misinterpreted. “We are constantly making improvements in our legislation. For example, we do not want terminally ill prisoners to die in jail – that would be a violation of human rights. But interpreting this as a general amnesty is misleading. The issue under discussion is the extension of parole measures for those who benefited from COVID-19-related prison furloughs,” he clarified.
On allegations of Öcalan’s solitary confinement on İmralı Island, Tunç denied claims of mistreatment. “There is no isolation. In the past, they claimed he was in poor health, but none of that was true. He is held under conditions in accordance with regulations, just like other inmates,” he asserted.
Tunç also criticised İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s remarks about President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, calling them “unacceptable and a misfortune for the opposition”. He accused İmamoğlu of attempting to create a “persecution narrative” regarding his ongoing legal battles.
