Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) deputies launched a vigil in front of the Ministry of Justice on December 21 demanding an end to the isolation of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan.

The vigil in front of the Ministry of Justice will continue indefinitely, alternating. Deputies will gather in front of the ministry day after day at certain hours.

HDP deputies Feleknas Uca, Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, Serpil Kemalbay, Dilan Dirayet Taşdemir, Nuran İmir, Abdullah Koç, Şevin Coşkun and Erdal Aydemir took over the vigil on its second day.

The deputies displayed banners reading "Let laws be applied in Imrali", "Isolation is a crime against humanity", "End the war and isolation", "Let lawyers visit Imrali."

The police prevented journalists from following the vigil. MP Dilan Dirayet Taşdemir delivered a speech on behalf of the deputies and stated the following:

“As HDP deputies, we are carrying out a justice vigil in front of the Ministry of Justice against the aggravated isolation in the Imrali island prison. Unfortunately, journalists are not allowed to follow our statement because of so-called security concerns in defiance of the Constitution and freedom of the press. Blocking journalists reveals the fact that the isolation in Imrali has penetrated the entire country. We would like to start by condemning this obstruction. In any case, we find a way to make our voices heard in public. We do not accept this censorship of the press.

We urge the AKP government and the Ministry of Justice to implement the law against the isolation regime in Imrali. The government violates the country’s laws and constitution. We have shared our criticism of the consequences of isolation and its impact on Turkey’s politics in the Parliament. But unfortunately, as in all other matters, the AKP government is turning a blind eye to Imrali isolation. The isolation has been in place for 24 years, but there has been an absolute lack of communication for the last 21 months.

The AKP government does not answer any questions. When we asked once again in the Parliament yesterday, the AKP Group Deputy Chair replied that there was absolutely no isolation in prisons in Turkey. Then either the AKP is deliberately lying to the public or the İmralı prison is not within the borders of Turkey. It means that the Turkish laws are not binding there. So, what kind law is binding in Imrali? If it is not the Ministry of Justice, who has the authority there? Who is responsible? We know that this is a conscious policy. There is isolation in Turkish prisons, but there is aggravated isolation and an absolute lack of communication in Imrali. We do not accept this.

It was recently reported that a delegation of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) visited the Imrali prison, but no statement was made about whether there was a meeting with Öcalan or not. The Asrın Law Office says that the CPT went to the island, but no meeting was held. Why didn't Mr. Öcalan meet with the CPT delegation? Is there a problem? What's the problem? We have concerns. The public has concerns. The government and the Ministry of Justice must make a statement on this matter as soon as possible. They should not think that this issue will ever be forgotten.

'MINISTRY OF JUSTICE COMMITS A CRIME'

İmralı is not an ordinary prison. Why have we been persistently trying to call attention to this issue for days? We know that Turkey cannot become a democracy without resolving the Kurdish question. The problems of this country cannot be resolved without democratizing Turkey. If we are subject to fascism today, if there is poverty and an economic crisis, if mafia-state relations permeated society, if corruption is rampant, the reason is the Kurdish question and the isolation in Imrali. Because they cover up all unlawfulness and corruption by using the Kurdish question as a pretext and warmongering. We want the isolation of Mr. Öcalan to be lifted as soon as possible, and that his family and lawyers be allowed to meet him as soon as possible. If meetings happen to take place, we know that our hopes for a democratic solution to the Kurdish question and democratization of Turkey will increase. The isolation is being implemented to shatter this hope. We will never accept this. Here, we urge the Ministry of Justice, enforce your own laws. Enforce your constitution. Stop committing crimes, because isolation is a crime against humanity.”