We, as the UEL delegation, are following the ongoing Peace and Democratic Society Process in Türkiye with hope and great interest. We view the establishment of lasting peace and regional stability as a critical and historic initiative that will positively impact the future not only of all citizens of Türkiye, with its population of 85 million, but also of hundreds of millions of people beyond its borders, particularly in Europe and the Middle East.
In an era where wars causing severe devastation are occurring in many parts of the world, and rearmament efforts that invite new wars are gaining momentum, we find every step taken toward ensuring lasting peace in Türkiye to be highly valuable, and we support them on behalf of our group.
We call upon all parties to the Peace and Democratic Society Process, which will enable the democratization of Türkiye and the permanent establishment of regional stability, to continue advancing this initiative with determination and responsibility.
In this context, we strongly support that Mr Öcalan’s conditions of detention evolve in a manner that will facilitate the advancement of this process and strengthen the prospects for peace.
We underline that the implementation of the “right to hope” judgment rendered by the European Court of Human Rights regarding Mr Öcalan at the earliest opportunity is a legal necessity.
The implementation of judgments by the European Court of Human Rights in the cases of Mr Selahattin Demirtaş and Mr Osman Kavala is also a crucial obligation that requires immediate action. We strongly advocate that Türkiye should take legal and legitimate steps in accordance with its obligations under international law on its own initiative, before further action by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe becomes necessary.
We support concrete contributions to this process by all relevant state institutions of Türkiye, primarily the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), as well as by the Council of Europe. As the UEL Group, we respectfully announce to the press and the public that we will resolutely continue our discussions with all parties to ensure that PACE supports this historic process at the international level.
UEL Co-Presidents Mr George Loucaides and Ms Laura Castel
UEL Vice-President Mr Emmanuel Fernandes
Honorary PACE / UEL President Mr Tiny Kox
The UEL delegation travelled to Türkiye between 13-16 June 2026 upon the invitation by its member party, DEM, to better understand the problems and possibilities of sustainable progress regarding peace and democracy in Türkiye in line with Council of Europe values and norms, as well as the implementation of judgements of the European Court of Human Rights regarding the cases of Mr Selahattin Demirtaş and Mr Abdullah Öcalan.
The delegation consisted of: Co-Presidents Mr George Loucaides and Ms Laura Castel, honorary PACE President Mr Tiny Kox, UEL Vice-President Mr Emmanuel Fernandes and UEL Secretary General Ms Anna Kolotova.
For more information on the working visit, visit the UEL Instagram account.