The Cry for the “Right to Hope” Against the Walls of Isolation
In an era where the world is increasingly engulfed in war, repression, and a narrowing of horizons, we—as a voice for the awakened human conscience—refuse to remain silent. To witness injustice in silence is to be complicit in its execution. The International Committee for Visiting Abdullah Öcalan, following a coordinated global effort backed by more than 500 signatures from prominent political, academic, cultural, and artistic figures of diverse nationalities, presents its fundamental demand to the public and international institutions: The immediate termination of Abdullah Öcalan’s isolation and the global realization of the “Right to Hope.”
Imrali: Beyond a Prison Geography
Abdullah Öcalan—thinker and architect of the “Democratic Civilization” paradigm—has been held in the high-security Imrali Island Prison since February 15, 1999. For over 27 years, he has endured a condition that transcends mere physical detention; it is a systematic deprivation of “hope,” “dialogue,” and the “possibility of transformation.” His prolonged isolation is not merely an individual ordeal. It reflects a broader, systemic policy designed to silence dissenting voices and suppress emancipatory horizons. Today, Imrali is no longer just the name of a prison-it is a symbol of the imprisonment of the very concept of hope.
Defending the “Right to Hope”: A Legal and Human Necessity
We emphasize the fundamental principle of the “Right to Hope” , a doctrine solidified by the landmark ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in Vinter and Others v. the United Kingdom (2013), and upheld in reports by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Committee Against Torture (UNCAT).
This principle dictates: “No state has the right to hold a person in a condition where the prospect of release, the possibility of dialogue, and the reconsideration of their fate are denied.” The “Right to Hope” is not a privilege; it is a universal right essential to the dignity of life and the horizon of freedom.
Demands of the Committee
As representatives primarily from Iranian Kurdistan (Rojhelat) and other regions of Iran, including writers, artists, academics, and human rights defenders, we firmly demand:
1.An Immediate End to Isolation: Ensuring unhindered access for Abdullah Öcalan to international observers, legal counsel, and his family.
2.A Return to Dialogue: Creating the necessary conditions for a genuine, just, and sustainable dialogue to foster peace and coexistence in the region.
3.International Accountability: Calling upon global institutions and human rights organizations to break their silence and take concrete, decisive action against this ongoing violation.
We believe that opening the gates of Imrali is not merely a legal necessity; it is a pivotal historical-political act required to break the cycles of violence and rebuild trust among peoples. To visit Abdullah Öcalan is to return “politics” to the realm of dialogue and “hope” to the fabric of history.
Documentation and Follow-up
This statement is based on an international petition hosted on Change.org, which has gathered more than 500 signatures from global activists and intellectuals. This request, along with the comprehensive list of signatories, is being formally submitted to the European Union, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and other relevant international authorities.
• Petition Link: https://www.change.org/right-to-hope-ocalan
March 18, 2026
International Committee for Visiting Abdullah Öcalan