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

9 January 2003

Press Release:
Abdullah Ocalan’s situation unclear - again no outside contact for six weeks

Yesterday Mr. Ocalan’s lawyers were again denied access to their client. He now has been more than six weeks without outside contact. The unclear situation of the Kurdish leader is a cause for great concern since these arbitrary measures seem to become systematic.

Only recently the Council of Europe has requested an end of Mr. Ocalan’s severe isolation. While his death penalty has been converted into life conditions in prison have been aggravated even further. Being a member of the Council of Europe Turkey is expected to adhere to the European Convention. Although the government has repeatedly stated that it is willing to fulfill the Copenhagen criteria there are still systematic violations and the human rights situation continues to be desastrous. The reforms induced by the new government seem to be only cosmetic and have not yet made an impact.

The Kurdish side in the Turkish-Kurdish conflict, however, has openly announced serious consequences in case Mr. Ocalan would take any harm. Turkey would intend to use a possible intervention in Iraq for a military solution of the Kurdish question. The gradual deployment of large forces in North-Iraq would speak for itself. This might well escalate the situation and dash all hopes and efforts for a democratic solution of the Kurdish question. The consequences for the
stability of the region would be incalculable. All those who want a democratic Turkey as a guaranty for the securuty and stability of the region will want to prevent such developments.

As an international peace initiative we are very concerned about Mr. Ocalan’s life. His prison situation is not subject to any nonpartisan supervision. This has to be changed. We therefore call on the European states to support all efforts for Mr. Ocalan’s safety and the improvement of his prison situation.