The aggravated isolation of Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan continues. On 6 August the CPT released a report on its visit to Imrali between 6 and 17 May 2019 and pointed out that the system implemented in Imrali is one of isolation and torture.

HDP Amed Provincial co-chair Hülya Alökmen Uyanık, spoke about the isolation system and the CPT report.

Uyanık said that isolating Öcalan is the primary objective of the system in Imrali and is aimed at cutting its bond with the community. "When we look at the isolation imposed on Mr. Öcalan we can see that it is a method extended to the Kurdish people in Turkey.”

Uyanık added: “The capitalist system had prepared its plans and projects for the capture Mr. Öcalan was in Turkey. He has been kept alone in Imrali for years, and for a long time he was not allowed to meet his family and lawyers. The Imrali model is unique in the world."

Reminding that the isolation against Öcalan has been continuing systematically for 21 years, Uyanık added that thanks to the resistance and struggle of the Kurdish people, the state has stepped back from time to time.

The HDP executive also reminded that thanks to the struggle and campaigns launched outside and internationally that state was forced to allow family and lawyers’ visits.

“With isolation, the government wanted to isolate Öcalan and sever his ties with the society. Undoubtedly, the Imrali isolation is linked to the Kurdish problem and isolation imposed in Imrali has spread all over Turkey. Other problems can be solved as long as the Kurdish issue in Turkey is solved. The interlocutor for the solution of the Kurdish problem is Mr. Öcalan."

The isolation experienced in Imrali, said the HDP executive, is unique: “The CPT has recognised this and this is important but not sufficient.”

Uyanık underlined that lawyers and Kurdish politicians have exposed the isolation imposed in Imrali for 21 years. “For the first time, an institution like the CPT has exposed the Imrali system and admitted that there is isolation. But they published their report 16 months after their visit. In those 16 months, isolation has actually deepened. To end isolation the CPT and the European institutions should put pressure on Turkey."