The severe isolation conditions imposed on PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, who is being held in Imrali High Security F-Type Closed Prison, is getting deeper day by day. On September 23, on the grounds that Öcalan submitted a 'road map' to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) regarding the absolute isolation on himself, Ömer Hayri Konar, Veysi Aktaş and Hamili Yıldırım, a 6 month lawyer ban was imposed. Right after the ban, the lawyers were informed that a phone call restriction was also imposed for 6 months.  It was learned that the restriction decision was taken on September 7 by the Directorate of Imrali F Type Closed Penal Institution Administration and Observation Board.

 

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Mersin Provincial Co-chair Mehmet Alış and Human Rights Association (İHD) Mersin Branch President Hakkı Demir evaluated the isolation on Öcalan.

 

Stating that the only way for Turkey to get out of this mess is to terminate the isolation in İmralı, HDP Mersin Provincial Co-Chair Mehmet Alış said: "Even those who rule this country knows how Mr. Öcalan can contribute to social peace in Turkey and Middle East. It is obvious that Mr. Öcalan is an opportunity to end conflicts and war.  Instead of searching for a solution to Turkey's own internal problems elsewhere, Turkey has to see that it must do in internally.If the money spent on war was spent on the peoples of Turkey, Turkey would be a missionary in the Middle East."

 

TURKEY IS UNDER ISOLATION

 

Underlining that the isolation on Öcalan reflects as isolation on the whole society, Alış said: "The whole country is under isolation. All isolation methods imposed on all of the political prisoners in Turkey is a crime against humanity. Stressing that the policies of the government is not solution oriented, Alış said: "No community can reach prosperity through conflict and war. If we are to take essential social freedom, how can we not mention these issues? To establish the social peace in this country, this has to be seen."

 

'CPT IS A HYPOCRITE'

 

Stating that the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has occasionally stated that Öcalan is in severe isolation conditions, Demir said, “Unfortunately, the hypocritical policy adopted by other European countries on this issue is also reflected in the policies of the CPT. They come here and determine the facts but do not do what has to be done. They detect human rights violations but they are content with only making a statement about it. What is the point of that? Steps must be taken in order to pressure Turkey into obeyin laws. The CPT is not acting principled in this regard in line with its own principles. If Europe had been consistent in this regard, Turkey couldn't have been so out of way in terms of democracy now."

 

 

MA / Ömer Akın