The "International Delegation Against Isolation" has reiterated its rejection of the torture system on the Turkish prison island of Imrali and has called for its abolition. "Imrali is an area of political and legal blackout," explained the delegation with regard to the prison conditions there, which “not only affect Abdullah Öcalan and his three fellow prisoners. We had to realize that the Imrali system in Turkey has become a model. In order to be able to restore the rule of law, it is essential that it is dissolved.

The delegation published the following recommendations:

“Practices on Imrali have transcended the definition of isolation and have reached the point of absolute incommunicado confinement. The situation makes it imperative to define this issue not only as a legal but also as a political problem.

The CPT must publish its observations

-We call again on the CPT (European Committee for the Prevention of Torture) to take responsibility given the urgent and worrying situation of absolute isolation on Imrali. We expect all human rights defenders to put pressure on the CPT. In addition, we request that the CPT make its observations of the last visit to Imrali available to the public without delay.

-Today's forum was a get-together where we could refresh our memories and reflect on ourselves. Hence, the need for the members of the Forum to play a pioneering role in expanding and strengthening the network of solidarity and common struggle.

No more incommunicado detention

-Imrali is an area of political and legal blackout. In view of the reality of the Imrali system, not only people are denied the right to information. In this environment of obfuscation, politics as an institution also falters and loses its direction. The current worrying situation of no news from Imrali for 22 months must end immediately.

Öcalan's freedom is crucial

-The solution to all these problems lies in a democratic and social solution to the Kurdish question. The freedom of Abdullah Öcalan is a prerequisite for the political and peaceful solution of the Kurdish question and the democratization of Turkey.

-Without dealing with the Kurdish question, at the center of which is Imrali, and its political and social dimensions and taking a stand, the democratic public cannot shirk its share of responsibility for the isolation.

-Not only Abdullah Öcalan and the political prisoners are isolated, but the entire social opposition. Life as a whole is under siege. A way out of this siege is only possible through a joint legal, political and social struggle.

-In Imrali all rights are void. It is extremely worrying that Imrali prisoners' lawyers and human rights defenders are being prevented from doing their work and are being subjected to investigations and prosecutions. This in itself is an indication that the legal and human rights field is under attack both professionally and in terms of its values."

The rule of law must be restored

-It is unacceptable that European states ignore the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and other international conventions for the sake of their own interests and the universal values of human rights are blocked. In view of this ignorance, it is essential in this phase to build a network for the fight for law and justice on a global level.

-We reiterate our call to those responsible in Turkey to restore the rule of law in Imrali immediately. We reaffirm the responsibility of all European states in relation to this issue; and we call on these states not to sacrifice basic human rights for geopolitical and economic interests.

The situation in Imrali is critical

-Dealing with Imrali and the legal and political situation there is a touchstone to democratic standards and the political situation in Turkey.

-It is not possible to solve the Kurdish question and related problems such as poverty, hunger, migration, patriarchal oppression, cultural erosion and ecological destruction caused by war without abolishing the system of absolute isolation and torture in Imrali. Therefore, the situation on the island is crucial for the democratization of Turkey and the permanent resolution of the problems.

-The discriminatory prison regime against political prisoners, first introduced in Imrali and gradually spreading to all prisons in the country, must be ended. Respect for the basic human rights of all prisoners, especially sick prisoners, must be restored to standard.

Imrali has become the method of government

-The Imrali system is used as a domination technique. This situation is not a state of emergency, but has developed into a legal-political form of rule that has spread throughout the country. The survival of the government is placed above the future of millions of people.

  -Abdullah Öcalan has been subjected to torture of all kinds for 24 years. The main goal of this practice is to liquidate the democratically legitimized struggle of the social opposition. For this reason, the primary and fundamental goal of all societal opposition forces, legal and human rights defenders must be the complete abolition of the Imrali system.

-The Kurdish question has become a problem in the Middle East and the whole world. Therefore, the solution to this issue should be put on the agenda, especially considering the developments and consequences in the Middle East and in the world in general. To do this, it is imperative that all advanced humanity takes the initiative and takes action."