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

Colgne, 20 November 2002

Press Release
Abdullah Ocalan: Tightening of isolation continues

Today Mr. Ocalan’s lawyers were again denied their going to Imrali island under the pretext of adverse weather conditions.

Originally the Turkish authorities had conceded Mr. Ocalan one hour per week for his lawyers and one hour per month for family visitors.

Both his lawyers and his family, though, have repeatedly been refused their fixed visiting hours. During the past two months this arbitrary practise has particularly been on the increase.

Only recently the Council of Europe has requested an end of Mr. Ocalan’s severe isolation. While his death penalty has been converted into a life sentence conditions in prison have been aggravated. 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 of human rights and the situation continues to be a desaster. Fundamental democratic rights are still grossly violated:

Even after his abduction to Turkey under violation of international law Abdullah Ocalan is yet regarded a national leader by a major part of the Kurdish community. Therefore, the way the Kurdish leader is being treated does effectively mean playing with fire. Meanwhile the Kurdish side in the Turkish-Kurdish conflict made clear they weren’t prepared to accept the current practise that much longer.

Therefore, we call on the politically responsible in Europe to care about Mr. Ocalan’s safety and the improvement of his prison conditions. We call on the new Turkish government to reconsider their present practise in the Ocalan case. They should respond to the European Council appeal and abandon all conditions of solitary confinement.