Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) deputies have launched an indefinite-alternating vigil in front of the Ministry of Justice in Ankara demanding an end to the isolation imposed on Kurdish leader Öcalan.

HDP MPs Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit and Sezai Temelli spoke to ANF about the anti-isolation vigil they have launched.

THE REGIME IN IMRALI SHOULD BE REMOVED

Koçyiğit noted that Kurdish leader Öcalan has not been allowed to meet with his family and lawyers for nearly two years, causing concerns about his health. She said: “The applications submitted by his family and lawyers for a visit are repeatedly rejected. We have heard that the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) visited the Imrali island prison but Mr. Öcalan did not meet the committee’s delegation. We do not have detailed information about the CPT visit to inform public opinion. We have serious concerns about Mr. Öcalan's health. The isolation imposed on him must be lifted as soon as possible and a statement about Mr. Öcalan's health must be made by his own lawyers or his family.”

Koçyiğit stressed that isolation is a torture method and a death penalty spread over time. She continued: “Isolation is a crime against humanity in both domestic and international legislation, it is torture. If Turkey is a state limited by its own laws, then the Ministry of Justice and AKP government must do what is necessary. This is not a favour; this is a right that should be granted to all prisoners in Turkey. It is also very important for the democratization of the country to eliminate this special regime in Imrali.”

ISOLATION AFFECTS ENTIRE TURKEY

According to Sezai Temelli, the biggest step for Turkey's democratization would be to lift isolation. He stated: “Turkey's most important problems are justice, law, war and the Kurdish question. Turkey is in a very serious and deep crisis because of these issues. However, Turkey’s problems can be resolved through the removal of isolation. That is why we are persistently fighting to end isolation. As a first step, we demand that Mr. Öcalan's lawyers meet with him as soon as possible.”

Temelli remarked that the isolation that started in the Imrali prison has spread across the country: "We have launched an indefinite-alternating vigil against the isolation in front of the Ministry of Justice. We came together as deputies and made our first statement yesterday. This will continue as a vigil against isolation on a daily basis. We have seen once again how isolation has spread all over Turkey. Just like in the Istanbul Justice Vigil, we are under a police blockade in Ankara today. The law enforcement does not tolerate even the slightest democratic right, almost like a paramilitary force. Journalists barely received permission to report on our statement. Yet, the police later removed the journalists from the area again.”