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. Ocalans 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.
Ocalans 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
werent prepared to accept the current practise that much longer.
Therefore, we call on the politically responsible in Europe to
care about Mr. Ocalans 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.
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