ISTANBUL – IHD Co-chair Eren Keskin stated that all parties in the parliament should put the “right to hope” on their agenda and said, “Turkey’s implementation of the right to hope is not a favour but a duty.”

 

A large number of non-governmental organisations in Istanbul, including bar associations, made a statement on 28 April demanding that the “right to hope” be implemented by changing the execution regime of “imprisonment until death”. Human Rights Association (IHD) Co-chair Eren Keskin, one of the signatories of the statement, made evaluations on the "right to hope".

 

Stating that there are two important reasons for the discussions on the "right to hope" in Turkey, Eren Keskin said that the first of these is the protection of the right to life of prisoners. Noting that the death penalty was abolished after Abdullah Öcalan was brought to Turkey and replaced with "life imprisonment until death", Eren Keskin stressed that these practices are against human rights and reminded the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). 

 

'THE RIGHT TO HOPE IS NOT A FAVOUR BUT A DUTY'

 

Eren Keskin emphasised that the "right to hope" is not a favour of Turkey, but a duty and said: "Turkey is a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights and a state that has accepted the binding nature of the ECtHR judgements. For this reason, the state has a duty to bring the 'right to hope' to the agenda and make regulations on this issue. We, together with human rights organisations, bar associations, trade unions and health organisations, felt the need to make a statement on the 'right to hope' and call on the state to fulfil its duty."

 

Eren Keskin pointed out that there is a double standard in Turkey in terms of rights violations and stated that all parties except the Peoples' Equality and Democratic (DEM) Party have not taken a step on the 'right to hope' and that all parties should put the right to hope on their agenda.

 

'CONDITIONS MUST BE IMPROVED'

 

Eren Keskin stated that Abdullah Öcalan is one of the most well-known names in terms of "right to hope" and added: "Mr Öcalan's 'right to hope' means the continuation of the process in prison by other methods. This could be house arrest or another method. Mr Öcalan's working conditions should be improved and he should be allowed to meet with his lawyers and family. The 'right to hope' is important for the creation of more humane conditions. For this reason, the 'right to hope' should be urgently discussed in this geography and regulations should be made on this issue."

 

'ABDULLAH ÖCALAN IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ACTOR IN THE PROCESS'

 

Eren Keskin emphasised that Abdullah Öcalan is the most important actor in the process that has started in the context of the solution of the Kurdish question and stressed: "Abdullah Öcalan sharing his views with the public, the press and the authorities in a free environment will pave the way for the process to proceed more reliably. In this sense, the 'right to hope' will ease the conditions of Mr Öcalan. I would like to make this call to all parties in the parliament. Turkey is a party to the ECHR and has accepted the binding nature of the ECtHR judgements. Article 90 of the Constitution recognises that the judgements of international courts are superior to domestic law when necessary. They should act in accordance with their own constitutions and make urgent arrangements on this issue."

 

MA/ Esra Solin Dal