Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's call for peace and democratic society on 27 February and the developments that followed continue to be evaluated and supported by different circles in the international public opinion. 

 

Abdullah Öcalan's long years-long struggle and the struggle of South African leader Nelson Mandela are likened to each other. Both figures draw attention with the struggle they waged in prison conditions and the road maps they presented for a solution.

 

Kisten Govender, Nelson Mandela's lawyer and a member of the International Association of Jurists Against Isolation, made evaluations to Mezopotamya Agency (MA) about this similarity.

 

Reminding that Abdullah Öcalan and Nelson Mandela spent most of their lives in prison, Govender said: "They are both 'freedom fighters'. The regime they fought against labelled them as 'terrorists'. Mandela's struggle was relatively easier as it was against a minority regime. Mandela considered the struggle of peoples for self-determination important. Arguments should be put forward to recognise this struggle against the Turkish state."

 

'HE DEFENDED THE STRUGGLE OF ALL OPPRESSED PEOPLES'

 

Stating that Mandela defended the struggle of all oppressed peoples in the world, Govender said: "He supported the struggle of the Palestinian people. Mandela said, 'South Africa will never be free until Palestine is free'. If he were alive, he would have said the same thing for the Kurdish people. Whether they are part of a united Turkey, whether they have a separate province, whether they exist as part of a federal government, whether a new Kurdistan is established, he would definitely say 'South Africa will not be free until the Kurdish people are free'. This struggle is a legitimate struggle that Nelson Mandela would certainly recognise. The biggest reason I say this is that in the last days of Abdullah Öcalan's freedom, he wanted to meet Nelson Mandela in order to take the struggle of the Kurdish people to a greater stage and to get more support from South Africa. However, we all know that he was arrested before he could hold a meeting."

 

'A VISION THAT WILL ENSURE PROSPERITY FOR ALL PEOPLES'

 

Govender stated that Abdullah Öcalan correctly assessed the developments and dangers in the Middle East, especially the developments in Syria, and emphasised that Öcalan saw what was in the interest of the peoples. Govender said that much could be learnt from Mandela's statesmanship and added: "Nelson Mandela led South Africa to a democratic majority government. He made great efforts to show that we should be humane, fair and just, that we should meet our enemies, prevent them from becoming enemies and build friendship. This kind of leadership is very, very rare. This is why Abdullah Öcalan also stands out. In his statements from prison he has extended the hand of friendship and peace. This will bring prosperity to all peoples in Turkey, including different interest groups.  In fact, these statements are based on leadership for a united Turkey and a vision for the good of humanity."

 

'CONTACT WITH THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED'

 

Govender stated that Abdullah Öcalan's struggle is similar to Mandela's and said, "Öcalan puts his life on the line for the good of the Turkish and Kurdish people, but he does not compromise on justice. He has devoted his whole life to this process. He will not turn back from this because he is a freedom fighter. Öcalan is a courageous person, but he is also realist. These are exactly the kind of developments that Nelson Mandela would support. We see that the current President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, has consistently supported the struggle of peoples for self-determination on the basis of justice. My message to Abdullah Öcalan's supporters and allies is therefore to contact Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC (African National Congress) government and encourage them to mediate and push them to speak up for peace in Turkey." 

 

INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE 

 

Govender said that international pressure would force Turkey to implement the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling on Öcalan's "right to hope". "If the ECHR puts the rights of Öcalan and the Kurdish people on its agenda, pressure on the European Union (EU) will increase. Öcalan's right to hope case should be supported as part of this process."  

 

Stating that each country prioritises its own economic interests, Govender said that there are no honest leaders like Mandela today. Govender noted that contact with international non-governmental organisations and lawyers would strengthen the process, and pointed out that Turkey would be reminded of its responsibilities in this way.  

 

'ÖCALAN GAVE ERDOĞAN AN OPPORTUNITY'

 

Emphasising the importance of Abdullah Öcalan's call for an end to the armed struggle without ensuring his physical freedom, Govender said that this call confronted Erdoğan with an honourable stance. Govender stressed: "As a statesman, Erdogan has been tested by Ocalan”s statesmanship and courage as a freedom fighter. Ocalan has taken the major step that can be likened to the peace that was established after decades of struggle in Colombia. The FAQ movement and its freedom fighters came out of the forests and established peace and ended one of the bloodiest conflicts in South America. Ocalan’s message must be seen as a powerful act of courage and vision. It provides hope for peace , justice and prosperity for all in the regions surrounding Turkey and also for all the people of Turkey. Ocalan’s message therefore must be seized with both hands by the people of turkey and pressure on Erdogan must be applied to speed up a genuine peace and justice process and to implement a cease fire in Kurdistan areas and in Turkey. 

 

Turkey is poised to give leadership to Europe by way of example if the message of Ocalan is take to its highest level. This message is a guideline to many European Governments and leaders who are without any vision for the future of Europe.President Erdogan can seize the moment and emerge as a statesman of this decade. He can be an example to Trump. Ocalan has gifted Erdogan an opportunity for greatness. If he does not seize this he will forever be lost and regarded as a mediocre leader or a failed statesman."

 

MA / Hîvda Çelebi