Reactions against the isolation imposed upon PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan continue to grow. Academics from the Halabja University spoke to Roj News about the conditions of the ongoing isolation imposed upon Öcalan and stated that insisting on the isolation means insisting on war.

Halabja University Faculty Member Omer Fuad said Öcalan is the Kurdish people’s leader and added: “The Turkish state is usurping Öcalan’s right to freedom and independence. They keep Öcalan in prison and impose a strict isolation upon him. This goes against all faiths and all humane values.”

Fuad said the isolation imposed upon Öcalan has negative effects on peace in Bakurê Kurdistan and Turkey: “The war the Turkish state wages in Bakurê (Northern) Kurdistan, the death and oppression is a result of Öcalan’s imprisonment. Turkey is closing the path to peace and dialogue. They want to prolong the current problems. They don’t want Öcalan playing his role in bringing peace to the region.”

Fuad said the Turkish state needs to free Öcalan and continued: “The Turkish state needs to return to the dialogue table and relaunch the peace process. The continuation of Öcalan’s imprisonment means an insistence on war. If this continues, the peoples of Turkey will have to pay a great price.”

Another academic in the university Shiwan Nuri, pointing to the strict isolation imposed upon Öcalan, said: “Öcalan’s ideology and philosophy is geared towards the resolution of problems. It is important to have worldwide effect. The Turkish state doesn’t want a peaceful resolution to issues. That is why Öcalan is imprisoned. For peace to come to Turkey and Northern Kurdistan and for the issues to be resolved, Öcalan must be free.”