The situation in Turkey and in North Kurdistan in particular is becoming increasingly dramatic.

Isolation and repression have affected large parts of society and the rule of law and human rights can no longer even be spoken of. People are starving, and the environment is being destroyed.

For over 42 months there has been no sign of life from the Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan, who is kept in isolation on the prison island of Imrali. On 10 October 2023, the global campaign "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and a political solution to the Kurdish question" was launched. 

On 13 October in Amed (Diyarbakir) there will be a rally under the slogan "We resist the plot and gather in Amed for freedom".

In an interview with ANF, the co-chair of the provincial association of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP), Mehmet Şirin Gündüz, spoke about the mobilization and the background of the action.

"Isolation has affected all areas of life"

Gündüz spoke about the consequences of isolation on Imrali, and said: "Today, isolation is intensifying not only on Imrali, but in all areas of life in Kurdistan. In the person of Mr. Öcalan, an entire people is isolated. The centuries-old policy of extermination and assimilation by the statist mentality is manifested in the special war against the Kurdish people. Therefore, we do not consider isolation to be a situation of one person or in a prison.

This isolation also lacks any legal basis. It is the result of a completely politicized, hostile attitude. Today, isolation is showing its effects everywhere in our region, everywhere in the Middle East. It is impossible to find another example in the world of such isolation conditions without any humanitarian and legal basis. Turkey is committing a crime with its isolation policy."

"The issue of isolation itself is being pushed off the agenda"

Establishing a causal link between the deep social crises, the economic crisis, ecological destruction, war and isolation, Gündüz continued: "People are now at the end of their strength. The solution to all these crises lies in the perspective that Mr. Öcalan can show people. Absolute incommunicado detention blocks the way to dialogue and solution.

The government is running away from the solution and is determined to drag the country into the abyss. It ignores the demands of society and only tries to keep itself alive. Raising the question of isolation is also being isolated. It is as if isolation is not an issue.

We will continue to shout loudly and point out whatever they ignore. The Turkish media ignores every action against isolation and therefore does not reflect this in society. In contrast, we continue our activities everywhere. We will not stop these actions until the AKP government puts isolation on the agenda and starts a dialogue process with Mr. Öcalan; until Mr. Öcalan's physical freedom is ensured."

"We will reach the world from Amed"

Gündüz called on the public to attend the rally planned for 13 October in Amed, and said: "We defend freedom against isolation, dialogue against isolation, a solution against isolation. There are hundreds of ill prisoners in the prisons. There are prisoners whose release is postponed even though they have served their sentences.

In view of the prison conditions, we demand that the gates of the prisons to freedom be opened to all sick prisoners. We demand the freedom of our friends who are being held hostage.

We demand that the ongoing isolation of Abdullah Öcalan be ended immediately. Our entire people are invited to our rally in Amed, where we will shout out these demands together. Our entire people should demand freedom and negotiation from Amed and raise their hands for peace. We will proclaim the demands of the Kurdish people of Amed to the entire world."