Ocalan called for creation of Truth Commission

Ocalana-komsu-geliyorIMRALI PRISON, Turkey, — The Kurdish national leader Mr. Abdullah Ocalan called for creation of a “Truth Commission” to end the 30 year old armed conflict between Turkey and the PKK, report said on Sunday.

He said the Kurdish guerrillas may withdraw to Southern Kurdistan only if the “Truth Commission” becomes functional and reconciliation is reached between Turks and Kurds.

During his weekly meeting with his lawyers Ocalan said that he wants to end the armed conflict in principle. But the creation and work of a “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” is vital to move the peace process forward, he insisted.

He said the creation of such a commission is possible only if the Turkish parliament takes initiative.

He pointed the experience in South Africa where the “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” led by prominent cleric Desmond Tutu played a key role in peace building process.

Ocalan mentioned the commission can be on the agenda of the negotiations which are held by Turkish officials with him in Imrali High Security Prison. Ocalan said if the negotiations processes he might help to withdraw Kurdish guerrillas to Southern Kurdistan.

“Everybody has to acknowledge that the decision to withdraw guerrilla forces is a critical decision. Nobody can take responsibility for this decision except me” Ocalan added.

Ocalan said that there is no agreement between him and Turkish officials about withdrawing Kurdish guerrillas.

He said Kurdistan Workers Party’s (PKK) and Peace and Democracy Party’s (BDP) public messages carry a significant importance in the peace process.

He called the Kurdish politicians who are standing trial in so-called KCK case “political hostages” and said Turkish state is trying to degenerate Kurdish legal movement.

He also gave support to the Kurdish politicians who insist to speak Kurdish at the courtroom.

152 prominent Kurdish politicians are standing trial in Diyarbakir for being a member of an illegal organization. They demand to make their defence speeches in Kurdish which Turkish judges repeatedly denied.

Ocalan also called for creation of a democratic autonomy constitution and said that the Kurds need to organize themselves in every aspect to govern them.

Ocalan said “democratic autonomy” is a self-governing model for Kurdish people.