Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s lawyer Cemal Demir stated that his client has been the target of a systematic isolation at İmralı prison over the past 18 years, and described the isolation of Öcalan as a threat to Kurdish people.
Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s lawyer Cemal Demir stated they have not been able to communicate with Öcalan since 2010, but Öcalan has been the target of a systematic isolation at İmralı prison over the past 18 years. Demir described the isolation of Öcalan as a threat to Kurdish people.
‘ISOLATION CONTINUES IN A SYSTEMATIC MANNER’
Cemal Demir noted that Öcalan has been the target of a systematic isolation since 1999 and the AKP government makes up excused in order to prevent Öcalan from meeting with his lawyers. Demir described the AKP government’s policies as illegal, and said “Prevention of Öcalan from meeting with his lawyers violates Turkish and international law. We have made several applications to state institutions and the human rights court in order to meet with our client. We told that the isolation of Öcalan is torture for Kurdish people, and applied to the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture so that the isolation and torture of Öcalan ends. However, the CPT has not responded to any of our inquiries.”
‘ALL LEGAL RIGHTS VIOLATED’
Lawyer Demir emphasized that they have not had any communication with their client since 2011, and the isolation of Öcalan continued even during the peace process. Demir noted that all of Öcalan’s legal rights have been violated, and described the isolation of Öcalan as a threat to the people of Kurdistan.
‘CPT MUST FULFILL ITS DUTY’
Demir recalled that a CPT committee visited İmralı prison before the state of emergency, but left Turkey without making a single statement on its observations and evaluation. Demir noted that CPT committees have been visiting many different prisons in Turkey after the state of emergency, but have failed to visit İmralı. Demir called upon the CPT to visit Öcalan and fulfill its duty.
‘ÖCALAN IS THE KEY TO PEACE’
Lawyer Demir emphasized that Öcalan is the key to peace and Turkey would find peace and democracy if the isolation of Öcalan ends. Lastly, Demir called for an immediate end to the isolation of Öcalan so that his client can fulfill his role and pave the way for dialogue and peace.
