Arrested HDP MPs’ call for Öcalan

Arrested HDP Co-chairs and MPs demand a committee visit Imrali and international institutions speak up against the isolation. The statement also called on the public and said, “Those who want peace and a solution cannot be expected to dismiss this issue.

Imprisoned HDP Co-chairs and MPs issued a joint statement on the isolation imposed upon Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan.

“THESE CONCERNS AREN’T BASELESS”

The statement is as follows:

“We are experiencing days where concerns for the safety and health conditions of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan in Imrali are on the rise. The aggravated isolation that started on April 5, 2015, some 2.5 years ago, lasted until Mr. Öcalan met with one member of his family on September 11, 2016 for an Eid visit. Since then, more than one year has passed and nobody in his family or his lawyers has met with him.

The AKP governments have rejected the lawyers’ appeals for a visit 670 times to date. There are no family visits. Mr. Öcalan is not an ordinary convict. The Kurdish people expect to hear about his health firsthand, from him. This policy of isolation creates serious concerns with our people, and these concerns are not baseless. Under conditions where all rights of the Kurdish people are ignored and confiscated, the prosecutor’s statement on Mr. Öcalan’s health and safety conditions are not trust inducing or credible.

DEMANDS

I. We are experiencing a time where concerns grow and expectations rise every day. We expect the government and state institutions to display the necessary approach and gravitas that will end the isolation. Steps should be taken at once.

II. The isolation policy means tensions, polarization and conflict. It means regional animosity against the Kurdish people. It means standing against anything to do with the Kurd. But it’s not just that. It also means standing against the understanding of all peoples, faiths and cultures of these lands living together in equality, and the points regarding the democratization of Turkey in the 10-point declaration Mr. Öcalan prepared for the Dolmabahçe Accord.

We expect the democratic public and our people to support the issue. Because Mr. Öcalan is an important person who has made serious contributions to peace and a solution with his mind, ideas and suggestions, and with his whole being, and who will resolve the issues through regional and local peaceful and democratic steps in the coming period. Those who want peace and a solution cannot be expected to dismiss this issue.

III. We are calling on the CPT and other international institutions: Do not stay silent in the face of this injustice.

IV. We are calling on the Parliament: The key to living in peace as free citizens with equal rights inside the country, and in economic, social, cultural, commercial and diplomatic relationships with the Kurdish people abroad is in the hands of Mr. Öcalan. The Parliament should take some steps if they want to develop an active, peaceful and democratic approach, political parties should own and administer a large scale initiative for peace and a solution.

The family, lawyers or a political committee should visit the Imrali Island at once. Without that, no statement will satisfy us or our peoples, and concerns won’t go away, but deepen in time. The inhumane isolation must end urgently.”

Co-chairs and MPs who issued the statement are:

Selahattin Demirtaş – Edirne Prison

Figen Yüksekdağ – Kandıra Prison

İdris Baluken – Sincan Prison

Çağlar Demirel – Kandıra Prison

Selma Irmak – Kandıra Prison

Gülser Yıldırım – Kandıra Prison

Burcu Çelik – Sincan Prison

Abdullah Zeydan – Edirne Prison

Ferhat Encü – Kandıra Prison