The Peace and Democratic Society Process initiated by Kurdish people’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan continues. Although many steps have been taken by the Kurdish Freedom Movement within the scope of the process, no concrete steps have been taken by the ruling party. Despite the decision of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, the Parliamentary Commission did not propose any legal amendments to the report regarding the implementation of the "right to hope" decision. 

 

On the anniversary of Abdullah Öcalan's 27 February call, 33 internationally renowned intellectuals published an appeal demanding the implementation of the "right to hope". One of the signatories of the appeal, who had previously supported the process in statements alongside Nobel laureates, was Nobel Peace Laureate winner Jody Williams. 

 

Jody Williams spoke to the Mezopotamya Agency (MA) about her appeal and Abdullah Öcalan's situation. 

 

'I FOUND THE CALL AMAZING AND BRAVE'

 

Jody Williams, who described Abdullah Öcalan as an important leader, said that when evaluated in the historical context of Turkey, she found Abdullah Öcalan's call courageous and that this was why she and the Nobel laureates supported this call. Jody Williams said, "Personally, I found it really amazing that he would do that. It really reminds one of Mandela's conversion when he was in prison. And I wanted to be supportive of it. Not too often you get people like him who call for radical change. And it is radical change. I thought it was amazing and brave and wanted to try to do stuff to help." 

 

Stating that she has been fighting for an end to wars since the Vietnam War Jody Williams said that despite the insistent stance of US President Trump and other state leaders on war, she wanted to show that there is a way for people to live together. "I believe I have a responsibility in the world and that I can do something to help. That's why I do it," she said. 

 

'WE NEED LEADERS LIKE ABDULLAH ÖCALAN' 

 

Stating that the implementation of the "right to hope" is necessary, Jody Williams said: "When I think of him as the recognized leader of most of the Kurds in the world, he needs to be free. He's also illegally imprisoned and his rights are violated by Turkey. He needs to be free to be able to help move a process forward. It's very hard to do that if you're in prison. It seems like Turkey is allowing him some visits, which is a change and to me it is good. But the Turkish government hasn't done really anything in a concrete way to help the process move forward. So, I hope that the fact that people from around the world are interested and willing to sign a statement that this needs to move forward in this world where international law is falling apart. We need leaders like him (Abdullah Öcalan) and brave people like the Kurdish people to demonstrate that even after years of conflict with Turkey, you can bring about change if you care, if you want to live in a different world." 

 

'LEGAL REGULATIONS AND GUARANTEES MUST BE PROVIDED'

 

Referring to the steps Turkey must take towards a solution, Jody Williams noted that the country must show that it is part of the process. Jody Williams stated, “The most obvious thing is that Turkey should start taking action to clearly demonstrate that it is interested in this process. It's interested in being part of the process. It's interested in putting up legal guidelines and safety for the Kurdish people who have been struggling for so long for freedom and justice. If we look at history, Kurdish people have been exploited over and over again, including by a ‘lovely’ country, the United States of America." 

 

'IT WOULD BE AN INCREDIBLE EXAMPLE FOR THE WORLD'

 

Emphasising that securing Abdullah Öcalan's physical freedom would be an important step, Jody Williams said: "If he is released and the process is allowed to proceed honestly, and if there is understanding, acceptance and working together for a greater good among the peoples of Turkey, that would be an incredible example for the world. And I hope that we Nobels can help somewhere. We try.”

 

She also noted that they would continue to offer their support in the coming period and call on Turkey to take action.

 

MA / Hivda Celebi