The UK-based Freedom for Öcalan Trade Union Campaign issued an invitation to
an emergency press briefing concerning the Kurdish political leader Abdullah Öcalan.

The press conference will take place on 26 July at 11am at Place Luxembourg (European Parliament).

Baroness Christine Blower and Simon Dubbins, Director of International - Unite the Union, wrote in their letter: "Mr. Öcalan has been held in solitary confinement in Turkey for twenty-four years, and for the last two years even his lawyers and family have been denied any contact or access to him. It is currently unknown if he is alive and well and there are now very grave concerns for his life and wellbeing."

The letter said: "We are also deeply concerned that the institution in the Council of
Europe that is responsible for monitoring the conditions of Mr. Öcalan’s incarceration - The Committee for the prevention of Torture - is not providing the public with sufficient information. Mr. Öcalan’s family, his lawyers, and the Kurdish people at large, are requesting that action is taken to address this appalling situation."

In the press briefing, the signing trade unions and organizations will highlight the completely inadequate response by European governments, human rights organisations, and the Council of Europe, and that their failure to act makes them complicit in this infringement and abuse of basic human rights.

The following unions and organizations signed the appeal issued by the Freedom for Öcalan Trade Union Campaign: 

CUT, COSATU, Intersindacal Gallega, LAB, Steilas, CUB, CGT, Cobas, Confederacion Intersindical, IAC, GFTU, Intersindical Valenciana, ELA, Stuc, Cred, CSI, SAT, ARCI.