The isolation of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan is becoming increasingly severe. In the past, visits of lawyers and families were prevented by excuses such as 'weather' and a 'broken coaster,' but in recent years, they have been blocked, citing 'disciplinary punishments,' the justification for which has not been explained. The rights of Abdullah Öcalan and other prisoners on İmralı, Ömer Hayri Konar, Hamili Yıldırım, and Veysi Aktaş to a lawyer, family, guardian, telephone, and other services are not provided.

Lawyers and legal organizations file applications on behalf of all Imrali prisoners with both national and international entities.

Finally, the Amed Bar Association requested a meeting with the detainees on Imrali from the Ministry of Justice. However, no favourable responses to the applications have been received thus far.

In the person of Abdullah Öcalan, lawyer Burhan Arta examined the isolation conditions that spread to both other detainees in Imrali and all jails.

A POLITICAL DECISION

Noting that it is a legal right for a detained or convicted person to meet with his family and counsel, Attr. Arta stated that this right should not be hampered by an administrative decision or be violated illegally.

According to the present Constitution's regulations, the individual who is imprisoned must meet with his family and counsel, and there is no legal impediment in his way. Arta, on the other hand, remarked that they are now subjected to highly tight practices in general.

"First and foremost, Imrali Island has a structure that does not even have transit amenities. All the detainees there obviously need to meet with their relatives and lawyers under the protection of the governmental institutions. However, the island of Imrali has been isolated for a long time. Meetings on this island are obstructed by a variety of administrative decisions that are not founded on the law. People must speak with their family members. Even today's anti-democratic laws are ineffective in preventing this. However, preventing this is a political decision. Administrative choices are made in accordance with this political strategy. For a year, there has been no physical contact with İmralı Prison. Even phone calls are no longer made," Arta said.

IMRALI MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION

Emphasizing that İmralı Prison is a closed location, Attr. Arta said, "Even in countries with a functioning democracy, all institutions and organizations should be available for inspection, which is critical in order to comprehend the conditions of the individuals who live and stay in those institutions. International institutions and organizations, as well as the relatives and lawyers of detainees, are unable to reach those imprisoned in Imrali. It is due to the fact Imrali is not open for inspection. Because of the extreme political attitude chosen, even legal avenues are prohibited. These acts have no legal grounds.

The state, on the other hand, must offer visits with its own hands. They justify their bans with disciplinary penalties, but no information is provided as to why these penalties were imposed. The families, like ourselves, have no idea what the basis of the disciplinary punishments in question is. Aside from them, no information is submitted to any national or international non-governmental or legal organization."

THEY DON'T EXPLAIN THE REASONS FOR THE DISCIPLINARY ACTION

The Asrın Law Office issued requests to Turkish bar associations and foreign institutions to hold meetings in İmralı, but only Diyarbakır Bar Association answered. Arta closed his remarks by saying, "Last week, the Diyarbakir Bar Association requested an application to meet with the convicts in Imrali. Of course, for the purpose of the law, this is insufficient. Only the efforts of the Diyarbakır Bar Association, Asrın Law Office, or ÖHD are insufficient. İmralı must be opened for inspection as soon as possible. We have a variety of efforts for this.”