Call for Freedom of Abdullah Öcalan at UK Parliament
The final declaration of the conference held at the UK Parliament, discussing peace and solution efforts in Turkey and the Middle East, emphasized that the fundamental demands is the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan.
Rights organisations declare start to work to contribute to process
Riha (Urfa) Bar Association, Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) and Human Rights Association (IHD) Riha Branches have declared that they have started field work, panel discussions, meetings and reporting processes in order to contribute to the process of confrontation, recognition of rights and development of reform proposals.
Şırnak Journalists Association: We stand by Zeynep Durgut
Şırnak Working Journalists' Association made a press statement on the threatened journalist Zeynep Durgut and said "We will not remain silent against this mentality".
Prison report: Even the most basic human rights have been suspended
Legal and civil society organizations reported after inspections in 9 prisons that “Even the most basic human rights of prisoners have been suspended and isolation has been intensified to the highest level.”
Abdullah Öcalan sends message to conference in Brussels
In his message to the conference “1925 Uprising’s 100th Anniversary Conference Azadi Society, Sheikh Said and Companions, Memory and Collective Opposition”, Abdullah Öcalan said: “Sheikh Said's line will attain its true meaning when it is combined with today's democratic nation paradigm.”
Families apply to İmralı Directorate
Abdullah Öcalan's family and his guardian Mazlum Dinç applied to Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and İmralı Prison Directorate requesting a meeting.
From Amed to the government: Call to ‘take action and end operations’
Mahsum Çiya Korkmaz, Co-cpekesperson for the Amed City Protection and Solidarity Platform, called on the government to take action to resolve the Kurdish issue and end military operations.
‘Child detention increases crime rates’
Hasan Erdoğan, Chair of the Ankara Bar Association’s Child Rights Centre, warned that the incarceration of minors is contributing to higher crime rates among children in Turkey. “The more detention is used, the more crime increases. 90% of children who are imprisoned return to prison within a year,” he said.
Meral Danış Beştaş: Developments in the Middle East urge Turkey to resolve its internal issues
Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) Co-Spokesperson Meral Danış Beştaş stated that developments in the Middle East are sending a clear message to Turkey: “Resolve your internal issues.” She emphasized that peace is one of Turkey’s most urgent needs and underlined HDK’s commitment to a democratic solution in the region.
Lost four family members during the conflict: The state must take steps
Nuran Seçkin, who lost four family members during the conflict, stressed the urgency of peace amid the Iran-Israel war, saying: “Peace can no longer be delayed. The state must act now. Peace cannot be one-sided.”
Crisis felt in Wan and Qers: The solution lies in peace
Citizens and shopkeepers in Wan and Qers, struggling to make ends meet, emphasized that the only way out of the economic crisis is through a process that leads to peace.
Father of two sons buried under a sidewalk: Only peace can ease our pain
Yusuf Döner, who spent 2 years and 70 days traveling between Bedlîs and Istanbul to recover the remains of his two sons buried under a sidewalk in Kilyos, said: “I would rather have died than see my children under that sidewalk. Despite all this pain, if peace comes, our suffering will ease.”
5 regions declared as 'special security zones' in Şirnex
Şırnak Governorate made a declaration and announced that 5 regions in Basa (Beytüşşebap) district were declared as "speacial security zones" and banned for 9 days.
Bakırhan call for support for 'process' in his contacts in the UK
DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan, in many events he attended in the UK, gave information about the ongoing process in the context of the solution of the Kurdish issue and called for support.
Human Rights Organizations to government: Comply with UN’s report on life sentences
On the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, human rights organizations across Turkey called on the government to comply with the UN Committee Against Torture’s recommendation for allowing the conditional release of prisoners serving aggravated life sentences.
Ikram Balekani: The solution for Iran is Democratic Confederalism
Journalist Ikram Balekani stated that the ceasefire between Iran and Israel is temporary, adding, “The solution for Iran is Abdullah Öcalan’s formula of ‘Democratic Confederalism.’ Alongside it, the ‘Jin, jiyan, azadî (Woman, life, freedom)’ revolution will begin again and continue until victory.”
'Freedom Watch' enters its 14th year
The "Freedom Watch" action started in Strasbourg demanding the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan has entered its 14th year.
The process has reached an important stage say İmralı delegation
Speaking after the meeting with the Speaker of the Parliament, İmralı Delegation member Pervin Buldan said: “The process has reached an important stage and we will share these in the coming days. Delegation member Mithat Sancar emphasised that the Parliament will play a vital role in securing the process legally.
Dubbins warns EU about process: It would be catastrophic if moment not seized
Unite the Union International Spokesperson Simon Dubbins stated that the EU should put pressure on Turkey for the initiated process and said, "That would be catastrophic if the moment is not seized and we don't really move together down the road of peace."
Threat to our reporter who uncovered the 'Prostitution Gang'
Our reporter Zeynep Durgut, who uncovered the “Prostitution Gang” in Şirnex, was threatened by the family of Kenan Tatar, who is on trial as the perpetrator in the case.
Circassians on the ‘Process’: Democracy is everyone’s issue, stereotypes must be broken
Circassians stressed that the democracy problem in Turkey affects all peoples and called for breaking down stereotypes and struggling together in the new process.
Socialist Organizations: We all have duties for a democratic society and republic
Socialist organization and trade union representatives in Mersin emphasized the collective responsibility in democratizing Turkey. “For the democratization of this country, for the development of a democratic society and republic, everyone has duties. Including the state, every individual must fulfill this task,” they said.
After 31 years imprisonment: Let's embrace the process
Ahmet Doğan, who was released from prison after 31 years, was welcomed enthusiastically in his hometown Êlih (Batman). Doğan called for embracing the process.
İmralı Delegation to meet with Parliament Speaker
People's Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party İmralı Delegation will meet with Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş.
OHD Marmara region report: Release of 93 prisoners blocked
The Istanbul Branch of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) released its semi-annual report detailing rights violations in 17 prisons across the Marmara Region from January to June 2025. The report highlights systemic abuses such as forced strip searched, denial of healthcare, and arbitrary blocks on prisoner releases, most notably, the prevention of conditional release for 93 prisoners.
Reasoned decision of Kobani Case announced after 1 year, 1 month and 10 days
The reasoned decision of the Kobani Case, in which former Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş was sentenced to 42 years in prison and Figen Yüksekdağ to 30 years and 3 months, has been announced.
ESM announces Collective Agreement demands
The Energy, Industry and Mining Public Employees’ Union (ESM), affiliated with the Confederation of Public Employees’ Trade Unions (KESK), has announced its demands ahead of the Collective Agreement process set to begin on August 1, calling for united struggle.
Four youths detained in Amed
Members of the Youth Assembly of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party were detained in Amed (Diyarbakır).
Council of Europe to discuss Abdullah Öcalan’s ‘Right to Hope’ in September
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has announced that it will review Turkey’s compliance with the “right to hope ” rulings concerning Abdullah Öcalan, Emin Gurban, Civan Boltan and Hayati Kaytan at its meeting in September 2025.
Sıddık Güler referred to Forensic Medicine Institute
Sıddık Güler, 85, seriously ill prisoner held in İskenderun T-Type Closed Prison, was referred to Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK) one month after the prosecutor’s decision.
Call for united struggle against violations in prisons
Mehmet Zeki Kılıç, Co-chair of the Marmara Association for Solidarity and Assistance with Prisoners and Their Families (MATUHAYDER), called for a collective fight against the ongoing unlawful practices in prisons, emphasizing that the current conditions are a major obstacle to democratization.
Artists: Military operations during talks are inexcusable
Artists from Sanatolia Collective Studios have criticized the continuation of military operations while peace is being discussed, calling it "an indicator of the state's sincerity in the process." They emphasized the importance of immediate steps toward a democratic solution to the Kurdish question and the cessation of hostilities.
Ecosystem destruction in Gabar Mountain
Under the pretext of oil exploration, widespread deforestation continues in the Gabar Mountain region. In the villages of Basret and Zivingo, located on the mountain’s slopes, recent footage reveals the ecological damage and shows endangered mountain goats fleeing the area with their young.
Civil Society calls for peace process: Justice is the only solution
Prominent human rights defenders and civil society representatives gathered in Amed (Diyarbakır) for the “Road to Peace: Truth and Justice” meeting organized by the Human Rights Association (IHD) on June 21-22. Participants emphasized the urgency of defining and initiating a new peace process in response to the Kurdish issue, arguing that it must be rooted in justice and not delayed.
Sexual violence against children in Şirnex: This is not just a judicial but a political issue
In Şirnex, five incidents of sexual violence against children occurred within the span of three months. Emine Özdemir from the Şırnak Bar Association said they are being excluded from the process and stated, “When the judiciary aligns itself with the perpetrator, abuse becomes not only a judicial issue, but also a political one.”
Husband of ill prisoner: Does her funeral have to come for her release?
Eşref Aker, husband of politician and seriously ill prisoner Felem Aker, called for removing obstacles to the release of ill prisoners, asking, “Do their funerals have to come first? This issue should not even be a matter of negotiation.”
10 years without Eylem Ataş: Her struggle lives on in rebellion of youth!
It has been 10 years since the death of Eylem Ataş (Cemre Heval), a member of the United Freedom Forces, who lost her life while fighting against ISIS in North and East Syria. Her brother Hüseyin Ataş said that his sister lives on in the women's movement and the struggle and rebellion of the youth.
Women in Wan apply to visit İmralı
Members of the Van Women’s Platform applied to the Ministry of Justice to request a meeting with Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan.
IHD and TIHV: Torture in Turkey remains a systematic practice
In a press statement held in front of the former Gayrettepe Istanbul Police Department, one of the known centres of torture, the Human Rights Association (IHD) and the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TIHV) stated: “The events surrounding the March 19, 2025 protests, during which people were tortured at police stations, once again revealed the undeniable historical and ideological continuity of torture.”
‘Can arbitrary board decisions manage the process?’
Çetin Arkaş’s release was postponed for 3 months by the Prison Administration and Observation Board. The Lawyers for Freedom Association (ÖHD) held a press conference, calling the decision arbitrary and unlawful. Lawyer Rezan Sarıca asked, “How can the brotherhood law be built with such decisions?”
‘Democratic transformation can only exist on a legal basis’
Nurdan Kılıç, a member of the Lawyers for Freedom Association (ÖHD), emphasized that democratic and structural transformation can only take place on a legal foundation and stated that a commission involving all political components should be established before the Parliament closes.
‘Constitution must be drafted where all identities can express themselves’
Human Rights Association (İHD) Co-Chair and lawyer Eren Keskin emphasized the importance of inclusive democratic reforms in the current peace process in Turkey. She stated, “A democratic constitution must be created where all identities in this region can express themselves and be represented.”
Peace Academic Bayraktar: We need a process that questions assumptions
Peace academic Ulaş Bayraktar highlighted the importance of bringing together those who lost loved ones, saying, “We need a process that questions assumptions. We put everyone into boxes. Maybe we need to forget some of what we know and listen carefully.”
Women will lead the diplomacy of national unity says Former MP
Speaking about the 3rd Conference of the Kurdish Women’s Union Platform held in Amed (Diyarbakır), former MP Mülkiye Birtane said: “The greatest peace must first be achieved internally. This will be through diplomacy based on unity. Women will lead this diplomacy.”
Museum and culture house to open in memory of Qazi Muhammad
A Museum and Culture House was established in Mevrek village of Digor district of Qers in memory of Qazi Muhammad, the leader of the Republic of Mahabad.
Impunity policies increase femicide rates
Stating that the cause of violence and murders against women is the state's policy of impunity, women in Licê said: "They put them in one door and release them from the other. This vicious cycle repeats the crime."
Peace Mothers: Women must meet with the Leader
Hanife Budak, wife of Mustafa Budak who lost his life in the October 10 Train Station Massacre, highlighted the importance of the peace process and called on women, especially the Peace Mothers, to visit İmralı and meet with Leader Abdullah Öcalan.
Demand for 'Freedom for Öcalan' in Amed
Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party Youth Assembly members pasted posters of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan in different neighbourhoods of Rezan (Bağlar) district in Amed (Diyarbakır) yesterday evening.
Health Workers' Union announces its demands for Collective Agreement
Health and Social Service Workers' Union (SES) demanded the recognition of labourers' right to collective bargaining with strike before the 8th Term Collective Labour Agreement negotiations and announced their demands.
Egîdê Cimo Music School gave its first graduates
Egîdê Cimo Music School, established in Istanbul within the Ma Music Academy, gave its first graduates.