The EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) is holding a conference at the European Parliament to draw attention to the issue of political prisoners in Turkey and the situation of the imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, who is held in total isolation and has not been heard from for three years.

The conference is also supported by MEP Giuliano Pisapia, member of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats Group.

The conference attended by parliamentarians, politicians from different countries, academics, lawyers, human rights defenders and representatives of civil society organizations will host three panels titled “The Reality of Turkey's Prisons”, “Living Solidarity - The Need for a Political Solution to the Kurdish Question” and “Open the Gates - The Way to Freedom and Peace”.

Westrheim: Thousands with no ties to violence are in prison

The opening speech of the conference was delivered by Kariane Westrheim, Chair of EUTCC and academic at the University of Bergen, Norway.

Kariane Westrheim started her speech by providing information on the situation of political prisoners in Turkey, especially Kurds, and stated that the overwhelming majority of political prisoners in Turkey are from anti-government groups.

Westrheim noted that thousands of politicians, journalists, lawyers and people from different social sectors who have no ties to violence are in prison in Turkey, adding: "For example, there are hundreds of HDP politicians, lawyers, journalists, journalists and others who have been arrested and convicted for alleged links to the PKK.”

Öcalan's imprisonment is exceptional in the international context

Westrheim also touched upon the 25-year captivity of Abdullah Öcalan and drew attention to the absolute isolation of the Kurdish leader. Westrheim continued: "Öcalan's imprisonment can be compared to that of Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison. However, we can say that Öcalan's treatment exceeds Mandela's harsh conditions. Öcalan's imprisonment is truly exceptional in the international context, especially since Turkey is a NATO member and is seeking EU membership. With its treatment of Öcalan, Turkey violates treaties guaranteed by the European Union and the UN."

Öcalan has a key role in the solution of the Kurdish question

Emphasizing the severe consequences of the prolonged isolation in İmralı, Westrheim said: "While the Turkish state insists on this isolation, the Kurdish people and their friends are carrying out many activities to break the isolation of Öcalan and ensure his freedom. The ongoing global campaign for freedom for Öcalan and a political solution to the Kurdish question is one of them. Öcalan has a key role in the solution of the Kurdish question. He has expressed his desire for the solution of this issue many times before."

International organizations should fulfill their responsibility

"International organizations such as the UN and the EU should make a diplomatic effort to encourage dialogue between the parties involved in order to find a solution," Westrheim said, adding that international organizations should fulfill their responsibility to break the isolation of Öcalan and ensure his freedom.

Following the opening speech, the conference continues with panels.