MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

Amed (Diyarbakır)- An aggravated isolation has been imposed on Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has been held in the prison island of Imrali. No information has been received from him for 36 months; he has not been allowed to see even his lawyers and family members. The isolation imposed on political prisoners across Turkey is aggravating day by day. On May 14, 2024, the Asrin Law Office applied to Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and Imralı Prison Directorate to meet with their client, Abdullah Öcalan; however, the applications of the law office have been denied on the grounds of “disciplinary” punishments without detailing why disciplinary punishments given to their client.

NuJINHA spoke to Adile Salman, a member of the Lawyers Association for Freedom (ÖHD) Amed Branch, about the isolation imposed on Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan.

‘Necessary mechanisms are not carried out’

Even the CPT leaves unanswered the questions about him, Adile Salman said, adding:

“As lawyers defending freedom, we always stand by our words about isolation. We always object to the practice of isolation imposed on prisoners. Until now, no steps have been taken to end the isolation imposed on the prison island of Imrali due to the current political atmosphere. In addition to legal and political mechanisms in Turkey, the international mechanisms are responsible for ending the isolation. For instance, the CPT (European Committee for the Prevention of Torture) is also a mechanism being responsible for protecting prisoners. Even the CPT leaves unanswered the questions about the isolation and visit ban imposed on Abdullah Öcalan. This shows that necessary mechanisms are not carried out when the issue is about the rights of the Kurdish people.”

‘The isolation spreads to all prisons’

“The isolation spreads to all prisons, Adile Salman said, pointing to the hunger strikes started by political prisoners to demand not only the lift of the isolation but also the physical freedom of Abdulah Öcalan. “For years, we have said that isolation is an unlawful practice. However, no steps have been taken to end the isolation. Abdullah Öcalan’s lawyers and family members continue to make applications to see him. The isolation imposed in the prison island of Imrali spreads to all prisons. The political prisoners started a hunger strike last year in November against the isolation and they say they will hold different actions until their demands are met.”

 ‘Investigations have been launched against the prisoners to voice their demands’

Speaking about disciplinary investigations launched against political prisoners for voicing their demands, Adile Salman said:

“The political prisoners start a new action to voice their demands; some refuse the visits by their lawyers, some refuse family visits. The prisoners voice not only their demands but also the demands of the Kurdish people; however, they face obstacles. Investigations have been launched against them and disciplinary punishments have been given to them on charges of propagandizing for a terrorist organization. The isolation imposed on the political prisoners has been intensified because they refuse isolation. Isolation is a practice violating human rights.”

‘More realistic steps should be taken for a solution’

Pointing out that those who mention “isolation” face the risk of prosecution, Adile Salman said, “Those who talk about the isolation face accusations. There is no tolerance even to the word of isolation. The aim is to silence society. As lawyers, we will maintain our legal struggle to end the isolation imposed on prisoners. We call on both national and international mechanisms to take more realistic steps for a solution.”