HDP MP calls for joint struggle against isolation of Öcalan

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Van Deputy Murat Sarısaç has called on Kurdish people and democratic public to fight against isolation and endorse the hunger strikes in Turkey’s prisons.

HDP Van Deputy Murat Sarısaç stated that the isolation of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan is an outcome of the policy of assimilation and genocide against Kurds.

Speaking to ANF, Deputy Sarısaç said that the isolation should not be considered as a practice targeting Kurdish leader Öcalan alone, emphasizing that it is part of the policy of assimilation and genocide pursued against the Kurds.

“Whenever there were talks with Öcalan and progress was made on the way to a solution of the Kurdish problem, and whenever isolation was imposed on him, the Kurds were subjected to a very brutal war policy. Abdullah Öcalan is one of the people who have a solution project and philosophy in the Middle East. His philosophy demonstrated that all peoples and beliefs can live together, as is the case in Rojava. The world needs philosophers like Öcalan,” Sarısaç said.

For Sarısaç, the approach of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) and institutions in Europe is hypocritical.

“The CPT clearly confirmed the isolation and violations of rights in Imrali prison where Öcalan is held but could not go beyond that. No steps have been taken.”

DEMAND OF POLITICAL PRISONERS IS LEGITIMATE

Pointing to the ongoing hunger strikes in Turkey’s prisons against isolation, Sarısaç stressed that the protest and demand of the prisoners are legitimate.

“An execution extending over 30 years is wanted for Öcalan. The Kurds are also carrying out a hunger strike against this. I participated in the hunger strike led by former HDP MP Leyla Güven. After 200 days, a step was taken to meet the demands. The unlawfulness still continues today. Abdullah Öcalan is irreplaceable to the Kurds and other peoples, and the isolation on him must be lifted.”

The HDP deputy noted that a policy of genocide is carried out against the Kurds in all parts of Kurdistan.

“Kurds and revolutionaries are putting up great resistance. In order to lift the isolation, we need to fight together until fascism is defeated,” Sarısaç added.