In a new letter to the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, 622 signatories from 29 countries call for the recognition of Abdullah Öcalan’s “right to hope.” The letter identifies the meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies on 2–3 December 2026 as a crucial opportunity for the Committee of Ministers to reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law, democracy, and human rights through concrete action. A strong decision in support of implementing the right to hope would help Turkey break the current deadlock on these fundamental issues, while demonstrating international support for a peaceful and democratic resolution of the Kurdish question.
The signatories include 58 elected officials, including representatives at local, national, and European levels. The letter has also received the support of representatives from 90 civil society organisations, 16 trade unions, and 30 political parties, reflecting broad international solidarity across political and social sectors.
On behalf of the international campaign, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has signed the letter. Your support and solidarity are crucial. Through collective action and continued international pressure, we can advance the recognition of the right to hope as a first step towards Abdullah Öcalan’s freedom and a peaceful, democratic future.
There is still time to act. Ahead of the 2–3 December meeting, we encourage everyone to send the letter individually to the Committee of Ministers or to the Permanent Representation of their country to the Council of Europe. Every voice matters in building the international support needed to turn the right to hope into reality.