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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
10 December 2002
Press Release:
Free Ocalan – Start of a campaign
for the release of Abdullah Ocalan on 10 December 2002
While in Turkey the Ocalan case is still exciting political minds
it is sinking more and more into oblivion in Europe. It is an illusive
silence. No other case has yet called forth similar polarisations
in the public perception of Turkey. Today Abdullah Ocalan is still
regarded a national leader by a majority of the Kurdish community.
A resolution of the Kurdish question which would ignore his case
seems impossible. And without a solution of the Kurdish question
there is no chance for security and stability in Turkey.
After his illegal abduction from Kenya on February 15, 2002 and
his eventual death-sentence Abdullah Ocalan was imprisoned on the
island of Imrali and severely isolated. Again and again his lawyers
are denied their stipulated appointments with their client. After
the death penalty had been converted to a life-sentence the isolation
conditions have even been enhanced. This has led to a bad state
of health for Abdullah Ocalan. The anti-torture committee (CPT)
of the European Council has also requested Turkey to lift the isolation.
Turkey, however, abides by its usual practice.
The Kurdish side of the Turkish-Kurdish conflict is not willing
to accept this any longer.
In a declaration published recently they demand a clear improvement
of the prison conditions and a general pardon.
Otherwise there might be increasing tension, and even armed confrontation
could probably not be excluded. Therefore KADEK has begun a campaign
for the release of Abdullah Ocalan. According to this there will
be widespread activities of civil disobedience, demonstrations,
and strikes beginning December 10, 2002. The actions are meant to
promote a peaceful solution of the Turkish-Kurdish conflict and
a genuine democratisation of Turkey.
As an international peace initiative we support all efforts towards
a political resolution of the Turkish-Kurdish conflict.
We therefore call for a broad support of the Kurdish campaign for
the release of Abdullah Ocalan.
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