International Initiative
Freedom for Ocalan – Peace in Kurdistan
P.O. Box 100511, D-50445 Koeln
E-Mail: info@freedom-for-ocalan.com
Url: www.freedom-for-ocalan.com

Cologne, 5 April 2004

INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVE BRIEFINGS:
Peace Prize for Ocalan awarded in Italy

The city council of the Italian district town of Cosenza, a city known in Europe for its commitment to human rights, has awarded this year's human rights prize to Abdullah Ocalan.
The presentation of the award took place yesterday, April 4th, which is also Mr. Ocalan's birthday.
The prize was handed over by Elena Hoo, a city council member, standing in for Cosenza mayor Eva Catione who could not participate due to illness.
The prize was received by Ocalan lawyer Aysel Tugluk in the presence of Mr. Ocalan's niece, Fatma.

In its resolution the city council said it had decided in favour of Mr. Ocalan because of the Kurdish leader's exemplary commitment to peace and human rights.

The prize for the Kurdish leader is a somewhat conroversial issue in Italy. The political Right in Italy in particular criticized the city council's decision harshly. This was the first time that the Prize was awarded