Speaking to Medya Haber TV, Regan evaluated Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s "Call for Peace and a Democratic Society" and the PKK’s 12th Congress decisions. As one of the campaign’s key organizers in the UK, she underlined that Öcalan must be free for the process to advance.

 

‘STEPS MUST BE TAKEN’

 

Louise Regan noted that Öcalan’s ideas are respected globally: "There is global respect for his writings, for his work, for his beliefs, really, his progressive attitudes. And I think it is very clear that any peace negotiations will need him to be part of that, to be leading within that and to ensure that those talks, those negotiations are successful, that they do bring peace to the region and to the communities there. But, it's hard to see that happening while he remains in prison and isolated from the community.”

 

Pointing to the urgent need for steps toward Öcalan’s physical freedom for peace to be possible, Louise Regan added: "After the latest statement, it is probably more essential than ever, really, that now that happens as a matter of urgency to allow productive peace talks and to finally bring peace to that region and to the people of that region.”

 

Commenting on the PKK’s congress decisions, Louise Regan said: "Turkish government should take that as an important part of the process and should therefore very positively engage with it, should ensure that all parties have the possibility to engage in a positive way. And without that I just don't see that we will make progress.”

 

'THE CAMPAIGN WILL CONTINUE'

 

Regan concluded: "We will continue to fight for justice, we will continue to campaign and raise awareness and call for his release. And I think that it is absolutely essential that he is part of any peace process discussions to finally bring peace and justice for the people there."