Who cares: he's a terrorist and deserves the death penalty irrespective of his beliefs.
R M Craven, England

Just two of the comments Talking Point received - read more below.

Background ¦ Your reaction

The Background:

A Turkish court has sentenced Kurdish rebel leader, Abdullah Ocalan, to death by hanging for treason. He is blamed for more than 30,000 deaths in Turkey over the past 15 years.

A convicted prisoner has not been executed in Turkey since 1984, but there is strong public support for Mr Ocalan's hanging to go-ahead.

The families of Turkish soldiers killed fighting Kurdish rebels started singing the national anthem as Judge Turgut Okyay read out the sentence.

Outside the court people waved banners that read: "Sleep well my martyr, your murderer is paying for his crime".

But the rebel leader has warned that if the execution goes ahead "thousands of people will start the terror machine for me".

He also argued that the death penalty should be wavered, as he is the only one who could work as a peace mediator between the Turks and Kurds.

Mr Ocalan can now appeal against the sentence, but the process could take months. If his appeal is rejected, the decision will be passed to parliament where politicians would decide his fate. Failing that, the rebel leader's only hope would be an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.

Do you think Abdullah Ocalan should be put to death? Did he have a fair trial? Send us your views.

Background ¦ Your reaction

Your Reaction:

Yes... he should be hanged. Since the verdict 14 civilians were killed and 24 injured by PKK -terrorist bombs. That should speak for it self.
Kara

He should be hanged. He killed and now he should be killed.
Greg, USA

Treat Kurds like Kosovars, treat Turkey like Serbia. That would really be truly humanitarian.
Feerfel Ofcia, USA

No, he is the leader of the PKK, a Kurdish Party, and he should be treated like a peacemaker.
Aziz, Canada

Expecting justice from Turkey is a joke.
John, Canada

They shouldn't kill him.
Johnny, Australia

His offer to work towards peace makes more sense than killing a man who would be of more value in the peace process than playing death charades. I liken Turkey's "new" enlightened humanitarian views similar to "The emperor has no clothes"
Candise, Canada

I am convinced for sure that he deserves the verdict clearly without any argument; however, ramifications upon execution of the verdict might be pretty horrifying for the Turkish nation unfortunately. Political savvy should be utmost concern to the decision makers in the upcoming process. By no mean I suggest Turkish government to give in to the foreign pressure which is misguided and biased anyway. I hope that at one point the West is going to drop its mask and come clean with its portrayal because it has been wrong for long time with its mistreatment of Turkish Republic.
FT, USA

I think right now to spare his life would do more harm than good to the Kurdish cause.
Rasit, Canada

No one has the right to take another person's life.
Tim O'Sullivan, Wales

I wish the foreign media would leave Turkey alone ... I am so sick of hearing it. It's their law, nothing to do with anyone. He has killed so many people, I feel that the death penalty should be carried out. People (Turkish and Kurdish) lived happier before he came along, and then there was no war!
AT, UK

He is baby killer. So he has to pay for this.
Alper Teke, Turkey

The death penalty is a barbaric act and should be abolished!
Stan Pike, USA

Abdullah should not be executed as he is a freedom fighter. Nevertheless he committed some " terrible acts" but that is part of " freedom-fights ". It would be an act of good tactics to exile Abdullah to a foreign country with some specific limitations and promises such as trying to look for a peaceful solution. Carrying out the death penalty is the same as restarting a long civil war.
IDE Marc, Belgium

He ordered the killings of over 20,000 civilians in an attempt to intimidate the civilian population of Southeast Turkey. He sabotaged public works, killed teachers and condemned the Southeast Turkey to backwardness. Should he pay with his life for the murders of hundreds of babies? The answer seems obvious!
Yasar, USA

Yes, with his orders more than 30,000 innocent people died including babies and women, now it's his turn to pay this bill.
Idil Sahin, Turkey

People are given the death sentence every day across the world for killing one person. This man has been a leader in a killing spree of 14 years and has killed himself a unknown total of people. If Turkey decides to rid its self of him by death, then so it should be. If other countries in Europe want to protest this decision, then take him under your own wing, give him the comforts of a cell and fund it out of your own taxpayers money and why you are there, give him the Kurdistan that was promised to them by the British and French in WW1. Colonial borders and promises are the down fall of the World!!
Bart Forsyth, Sardinia

Extremely annoyed that the British Government have not been robust in remonstrating with Turkey on this issue - Turkey is a violator of human rights and should on no account be permitted to join the EU on it's lamentable record.
Derek Hayes, UK

Yes, so this would be an example that innocent civilians cannot be slaughtered for refusing to co-operate into violence with some ambitious ruthless terrorist leaders. Are we going to repeat Bosnia and Kosovo 's stories of backing crime oriented terrorist groups? Europe, wake up! your double standards are so visible. The Uzbecks just sentenced 12 people to death. I do not see any protests about that event. That's double standards.
Ann, USA

It is wrong to sentence him, he has a right to defend his people who are under cruel siege.
Abdirashid Warsame, USA

Can somebody tell me the difference between the fighting of the so called rebels of KLA and the PPK. The word terrorist is used at everybody's own convenience. Turkey a country that violates any human right and liberty, is now a democracy. How ironic politics are, and it shows the values and morals that guide our world wide leaders who will take this society into a new millennium. It is a shame.
Timotheos, USA

If it is tit-for-tat, killing never achieves anything, other than showing one's own incompetence. The Kurdish problem will remain until the Turkish government see sense and let people of another culture have their rightful freedom.
Cha Calle, Germany

Germany should stay out of it before it's own Human rights record come up. There might be a big Turkish community there, but Germany only took them for cheap (almost slave) labour, then left them to rot. France is no better. During the Gulf war, when 2 million Kurds poured over the Turkish border, the EU states said they would take some of those to their own countries. How many did France take?? 4, yes 4 out of 2 million. These 4 they took were scientists as well rather than run of the mill people...So I say each to their own and other countries should stop poking their nose in others business.
Rick Davis, UK

Being a Turkish citizen, I completely support the execution of that terrorist. So far he has killed thousands of people, including Kurds and now it's time for him TO DIE !
Isil Egrikavuk, UK

Shame on the Turks. How could they punish someone who's only crime has been to fight for the right of his people to speak their language, practice their culture. And yet, Turkey has the guts to apply to join the European Union.
Mark Jameston, Seychelles

In respect to the decision I can understand the "revenge attitude" pronounced both during the trial and within the court's final decision. However, as an Irish citizen, I have observed from the historical past within my own country that, in fact, with a violent protest, results may be obtained. Today, for instance, both Tony Blair and the Irish Premier, Bertie Ahern are discussing the conditions to ultimately end the cycle of violence within the Northern Ireland scenario. Do you believe that this position would have been by political means only? Personally I believe that no is the answer. But should so many people have to give up their lives, as well as the involved organisations to take the lives of other innocent people in order to arrive at a political process?
John Michael McGinley, Brazil

What were you expecting. Law is crystal clear he is the enemy of the state for the past 15 years he is 'the terrorist'. I am sure countries like England, Greece, Germany and France would be happy to see him hanged since he was blaming those countries for their 15 years of pointless struggle. In his defence speech he has said it is Turkey's problem but nobody elses and we wouldn't come to this stage if Europeans were not interfering.
ozgur sever, UK

Let the world know Turkey is more and more open-minded towards her citizens of any race; leave him alive.
Marc-Andr_aquet, Canada

I believe that the death sentence is a big mistake because it will abolish any chance of peace between these two nations, and above all I think every human has the right to fight for his freedom and for the right for a free country for his people. Therefore the sentence should not be carried out.
nairouz, Israel

NEVER. He is a freedom fighter. The Turkish racism mainly the Military generals should go to international trial for their crime against humanity. The world should come to the point that our nation will not withdraw from their demands. Despite all actions planned by enemies, we will achieve our aim.
Chia, Kurdistan

Since all EU Member States are nations which do not have the death penalty, then it is not in any way unreasonable to make this factor a primary condition for joining the EU. Amnesty International also support this position. Therefore unless Turkey prove that they are willing to abolish the death penalty, barbarism which is typical of Muslim countries in my opinion, they should be kept firmly out of the European community and not be entitled to any of the benefits which a Member State of the EU enjoys.
Nathan Bliss, UK

Isn't he another terrorist causing suffering and bloodshed? As far I can tell the guy admitted to what the court tried him on except for treason. He apologised at the beginning of the trial for the lives that his terrorists took.
So he gets the life sentence. What is the big deal? I don't understand these European leaders. Would they give him the Nobel peace prize since he is now talking about peace? Yeah, go ahead and give him the Nobel peace prize...
Dave, USA

No. He is a very important representative of the people of Kurdistan. His exclusion from the political reality and the historical development through death will be an unforgettable wound for his people.
Prof. Dr. Nicolas Tzavaras, Greece

He is a terrorist, of course he should be hanged. We can not encourage terrorism by calling these monsters freedom fighters. Turkey is a democratic country and part of Nato.
Ameinero, England

He has shown that has done wrong and ready to work for the peaceful Turkey nation. To me this statement is very important to Kurds and Turks in and outside Turkey. They should not hang him.
Moses Rotich, South Africa

He says that he was fighting for a free nation and free existence, but they were free in Turkey. He wanted to create a country in Turkeys land. Would we allow this to happen to us? He was a terrorist more than a leader. He must spend the rest of his life in worse conditions. Remember of all the babies, teachers, engineers who have been killed by him.
Sacha, Germany

Anyone convicted of terrorism should be sentenced to death and it should be carried out.
Scott Barrow, USA

NO, it should not be carried out. Turkey's treatment of the Kurdish minority is shameful as is the West's ambivalence.
Kevin McGivern, USA

I am opposed to the death penalty. I have no sympathy for a nation that practices state terrorism be it Turkey against the Kurds or India against the Sikhs. Turkey has tried to deny and destroy the Kurds their identity in the most blatant way. This is unconscionable. Turkey and its people must be condemned by the civilised world.
Rajindar Singh, USA

Of course we are against the death penalty. But this man is the leader of a political organisation which is well known by its brutal terrorist activities against the people in Turkey. He organised mass killings against many Kurdish families who were blamed by PKK for being on State's side. Beautiful words of freedom and independence can not hide this simple truth. But there is something I can not understand: Why are we so keen about the rights of a killer? Why are we not interested in the rights of a killer in USA, who is going to have the capital punishment?
Turgay Erginel, Turkey

It is not in Turkey's interest to carry the sentence. The Turkish elite know that. But I think they will be tempted to carry on falsely thinking it will bring an end to the Kurdish problem. Which will not be resolved like Kosovo, because of different standards...
Nikos, Greece

He led an insurrection that cost thousands of lives before he was captured, therefore he should be punished to the maximum extent of the law.
Trey Roberts, USA

If the sentence is carried out, than all hope of peace will vanish. And that would be shameful, indeed.
M Kallikourdis, UK

Why did he carry out the death of 30,000 people?? Who gave him the right to take those innocent people's lives? He should not be sentenced to death, because he has to work for the wellbeing of the families whose members were killed by him!!!
Zeynep Atl_key

Put yourself in place of thousands of mothers who received the bodies of their dead sons. Can you think of any other outcome to the trial?
Ender, USA

No. He should not be hanged rather be pardoned and thereby help to reconcile between Kurds and the Turks.
Obaidul Haque, USA

Killing Ocalan will not solve the crisis between the Kurdish and Turkish people but only increment it. If the problem is not solved at its roots (negotiating more rights for the Kurdish people) only more terrorism will be conducted in different parts of the world.
Fernando Gonzalez Saiffe, Mexico

A death sentence on anyone should be considered a 'crime against humanity'. Resolve the problem by treating the Kurdish people with humanity, and break the cycle of violence.
Peter Todd, UK

I hope that the life of Mr. Abdullah will be spared. He is the leader of one of the most oppressed people the world has ever known. It is a crime for the Kurds to use their own language in Turkey, in addition to the genocide that was perpetrated against them. Amnesty International should agitate on his behalf, so that the death sentence could be commuted to imprisonment. Turkey is not a truly democratic country, it is for that reason that they are not yet ready to be integrated into the European Union.
Albert Alexander, Grenada, West Indies

One man's freedom fighter will always be another's terrorist. Unfortunately, a negative sentence will be pursued as the basis for revenge which will continue to perpetuate and feed on retributive revenge. Turkey has the best opportunity to stop the vicious cycle and begin again. I believe this is turkey's best chance to show the world its capacity to rise above the current status quo of tit-for-tat.
Asok Antony, USA

No civilised Government should feel that the death penalty is the last resort in meeting out justice. It is form of organised murder. The views of the German Foreign Minister should be those of all European governments, if any country wishes to join the EC then it must abide by our fundamental standards.
Alasdair Calder, Scotland

I think it should be carried out since he is responsible for the deaths of thousands of people by terrorist attacks. Every country should condemn and the terrorists should be punished accordingly. Nobody should be spared after killing innocent civilians.
Aidan, USA

He is a murderer, not any different than Saddam. The death sentence should be carried out.
Anthony Kramer, UK

Turkey must use more finesse in dealing with the threat of hostile internal elements. Only by diffusing harsh rhetoric's of the opposition and infiltration of opposition groups can Turkey have a chance of reducing terrorism and neutralising its Islamic movement. Using military-styled iron fist tactics is a thing of the past. Such mis-guided policies led to the downfall of his Majesty Reza Pahlavi, the late Shah of Iran.
Anonymous Iranian, USA

Death sentence must NOT be carried out. His hanging will cause many more killings - done by avenging supporters. A new cycle of violence and retribution killing will follow. The principle of cause and effect is strict (as above). Therefore, killing even if carried out by the state and at this time seemingly 'just': will have its inescapable effects. The man is dangerous: he should be locked up initially for Turkish people's safety. Then real dialogue should begin how to accommodate the requirements of the Kurdish 20% of population.
Arthur Granowski, France

No, I believe he must be treated as Yasser Arafat and other ethnic leaders in the world. Turkey government must negotiate with him and other Kurdish people.
Arash Soleimani, UK

Yes, certainly. Because he really deserves to be hanged after what he has done to his country.
Akif Soylu, Turkmenistan

He got what he deserved. This is the end of a wild terrorist, that must be a lesson for all terrorists.
Adnan Gunduz, USA

It's up to the victims of the crime to decide whether mercy is appropriate. Those who did not suffer should not pontificate.
Bora Bariman, USA

I am against capital punishment in general and in this case in particular. This sentence only confirms the fact that Turkey has a serious human rights problem to solve.
Boriana Nikolova, USA

Given the military action taken against the Serbs, who were supposedly oppressing the Albanians, why weren't the same steps taken to protect the Kurdish minority in turkey? Instead, there's been a complete media blackout about the Turkish atrocities. It's blatantly obvious that Western Europe's governments have hypocritical policies to the point of absurdity.
Bobby, UK

I think it's none of European Press' or people's business to discuss a free court's decision of a free country.
Burak Kandemir, Turkey

This trial, and its resulting verdict and sentence, is a farce. The US MUST condemn this and work damn hard to bring Turkey's army to heal. Without that, Nato's Kosovo campaign has been worthless.
Chrys A Carey, USA

He committed atrocities and murders therefore he deserves this.
John Collins, USA

No, There is no justification for the use of the death penalty by any Government.
David Andrew, Scotland

If Turkey carries out the sentence, it must not be allowed to join the European Community.
Boris Sedacca, UK

A country with the death sentence should not be considered as a candidate for EU. Death sentence is barbaric. Turks should address Kurdish problem in a democratic and tolerant way and not with oppression and guns!
Dennis Uranjek, Slovenia

The sentence shouldn't be carried out, because the violence will run throughout the Middle Eastern and European countries, and may take further and harder dimensions.
Basman Ahmad, Lebanon

If he had not been sentenced to death, the mothers and fathers of the dead soldiers of our country would not sleep.
Bulent Unsal, Turkey

No. It should not be carried out. But the Western (civilised) countries, have no power to stop it (Nato). Only death and destruction seem to be today's answers for peace. The common person on the street knows that Turkey has the worst human rights record in the world, and the Kurds will not allow injustice to happen again. As a Greek-Cypriot, I can understand. This is about freedom for a nation, but where is Nato when they are needed? It does not suit the Americans, who control Nato like a puppet glove. Who is the real enemy? The wolf in sheep's clothing.
James Charalambous, UK

Rejecting people's basic rights to get identity will only produce hatred, violence and counter violence, although I am far from this region and its influences, as far as I am from Africa. We have to be pragmatic and not blind.
Fareh Yusuf, Somalia

Certainly not. By carrying out a death sentence upon Abdullah Ocalan, the Turkish would demonstrate for one more time the lack of any sensitivity on human rights within their country.
Nikolaos Tsarmpopoulos, UK

I don't think that countries generally execute those who lead rebellions - not if they want peace. That would be like the UK executing Gerry Adams.
Ivan Pope, UK

Not fair. None has right to decide for other's life. I feel sympathy for the dead ones and for Öcalan. But we don't need one more death because of this. I have lived there and I do know that Öcalan is the one who can help to get the peace in Turkey. To kill is not the answer.
Miia, Finland

This is a sound and fair result. Any court in any country would do the same, after all he is not a hero but a terrorist responsible for the deaths of thousands of people. Besides, I don't think he will be executed since there has been no execution carried out in Turkey since 15 years.
Dogan Fidan, UK

I do not really know if he had a fair trial or not. However I feel the sentence should be commuted to life. Remember Mandela et al.
Steve Carter, England

Who cares: he's a terrorist and deserves the death penalty irrespective of his beliefs.
R M Craven, England

I suspect that Turkey, having pronounced the death sentence, will now appear to bow to the pressure (both economic and political) from Europe and USA, to show mercy and commute the sentence to life imprisonment.
Mike Hall, Holland

He surely did get a fair trial. Much more fair than Bader-Meinhof in Germany.
Alburak Ucer, Turkey

Turkey should go on trial for the murder of 1.5 million Armenians and so should its accomplices who are silent (America & England).
Vicken Babkenian, Australia

If a KLA leader had been tried in Belgrade by such procedures there would rightly be an international outcry and condemnations by world leaders of such a farce.
David Holland, UK

Anyone who recruits violence to support their argument, must lack the intellect to carry the argument forward. Though lack of intellect should not mean that less freedom or liberties are bestowed.
Ghandi set admirable precedents with non-violent civil disobedience, sure some of his alleged supporters used violence, but it was not the policy in general. Great support was won on the international stage and hence provided the building blocks for his nation. In our modernist and highly communicative world, this is a route whose path is well trodden and proven.
Frank QUigley, England

Of course the trial was not fair because they didn't count the ethnic cleansing of the Kurdish population by the Turks for over 20 years. For the European public opinion ethnic cleansing exists only in Kosovo.
John Nestor, UK

What is right for Kosovo should be right for Kurdistan.
Charles Nicoloson, Wales