ISTANBUL – 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. 

 

The Committee decided during its June 12 session to include the so-called “Gurban Group” on the agenda or its September meeting. At that time, the Committee will assess whether Turkey has fulfilled its obligations to ensure the right to hope for Abdullah Öcalan and the other prisoners mentioned.

 

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled on March 18, 2024, that imposing life imprisonment without the possibility of parole constitutes a violation of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment). The ruling confirmed that Abdullah Öcalan’s “right to hope” had been violated. The Court requested Turkey to introduce legal amendments that would allow for the implementation of this right. Similar rulings were later issued for prisoners Hayati Kaytan, Emin Gurban, and Civan Boltan.

 

Despite more than 11 years having passed since the initial violations were identified, Turkey has not taken any concrete steps to comply with these judgements. 

 

APPLICATION AND RESPONSE

 

The Asrin Law Office submitted an application to the Committee of Ministers on August 9, 2022, urging implementation of the ECHR rulings. In tis response Turkey claimed that conditional release is available for those serving aggravated life sentences but noted that certain crimes are excluded from this possibility. 

 

The Committee of Ministers revisited the case during its September 17–19, 2024 session, under the heading “Gurban Group/Turkey.” Representatives emphasized that the ECHR's rulings require the creation of a national review mechanism in line with international standards, not necessarily immediate release for the applicants.

 

In the section titled "General Measures," the Committee outlined four key points:

 

*It reiterated that the implementation of the judgments requires legal or other appropriate measures to create a review mechanism for aggravated life sentences after a minimum period, allowing for the possibility of release unless the punishment’s deterrent effect or public danger remains.

 

*It expressed deep concern over the lack of any progress and strongly encouraged Turkish authorities to take steps without further delay, drawing from other member states’ experiences in establishing such mechanisms.

 

*It once again invited Turkish authorities to provide information on the number of individuals serving irreducible life sentences without the possibility of review.

 

*It decided to re-examine the “Gurban Group” in its September 2025 meeting and instructed the Secretariat to prepare a draft interim resolution if no tangible progress is made by then.

 

MA / Diren Yurtsever