International Inititative calls for dialogue and lifting Ocalan isolation
International Inititative calls for dialogue and lifting Ocalan isolation
The International Initiative "Freedom for Abdullah Ocalan - Peace in Kurdistan" has released a new statement to draw attention to the situation of Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan who have been denied visits from his lawyers since 27 July.
"The Turkish government has renewed the complete isolation of Abdullah Ocalan. In the last two and a half months all consultation with his lawyers but one have been inhibited by the Turkish state authorities. For the past eight weeks no-one has been able to see Ocalan. His family has only been able to see him once this year. Thus the total isolation that was imposed on Ocalan between 1999 to 2009 has been renewed by the Erdogan government", wrote the campaign organizers.
The International Initiative pointed out that "the renewal of total isolation comes at a time when talks between Ocalan and state officials, which were officially conceded by both sides, seems to have collapsed. At the same time, the Erdogan government, having newly re-shaped the Turkish army, has declared war on the Kurdish legal party and organizations as well as the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). This war is conducted through the close and cross co-operation between Turkey, the US and Iran despite all the sanctions of the Western alliance against the mullah regime. Thus, this is the reason why the well-being of the Kurdish leader is feared for".
The International Initiative “Freedom for Abdullah Ocalan – Peace in Kurdistan” has over the years repeatedly demanded a political dialogue with Abdullah Ocalan. This dialogue has indeed – in secrecy – started more than two years ago. Ocalan stated that the talks held were based on the Road Map he had drawn up (a summary is included in this information file) and after the elections things would move ahead with the formation of a Peace Council at the initiative of the parliament of Turkey.
Ocalan even went so far to offer concrete steps for the disarmament of the Kurdish militants, but Erdogan did not even respond to this proposal. This is why Ocalan does not find the talks meaningful at the moment. Instead of searching for the grounds for a viable compromise, the Turkish government has used the talks as a means of delaying a real solution.
The statement added that "Erdogan government is fully responsible for the current massive military attacks which are in violation of international law. It is no longer possible to hide behind the back of the powerful Turkish military. There remain no excuses for not solving the conflict through political means. Erdogan wanted this military operation, he prepared it and he is leading it".
Underlining that military attacks do not contribute to a solution of the conflict but can only intensify it the International Initiative calls "for an immediate stop of all military action and a prompt resuming of the talks between Ocalan and the Erdogan government. Only dialogue can lead to a meaningful solution of the conflict. Ocalan's isolation must be lifted and he should be transferred into a setting which will allow him to successfully play his constructive and mediating role."
The international public should not stay silent, said the Initiative.
"The Turkish government has renewed the complete isolation of Abdullah Ocalan. In the last two and a half months all consultation with his lawyers but one have been inhibited by the Turkish state authorities. For the past eight weeks no-one has been able to see Ocalan. His family has only been able to see him once this year. Thus the total isolation that was imposed on Ocalan between 1999 to 2009 has been renewed by the Erdogan government", wrote the campaign organizers.
The International Initiative pointed out that "the renewal of total isolation comes at a time when talks between Ocalan and state officials, which were officially conceded by both sides, seems to have collapsed. At the same time, the Erdogan government, having newly re-shaped the Turkish army, has declared war on the Kurdish legal party and organizations as well as the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). This war is conducted through the close and cross co-operation between Turkey, the US and Iran despite all the sanctions of the Western alliance against the mullah regime. Thus, this is the reason why the well-being of the Kurdish leader is feared for".
The International Initiative “Freedom for Abdullah Ocalan – Peace in Kurdistan” has over the years repeatedly demanded a political dialogue with Abdullah Ocalan. This dialogue has indeed – in secrecy – started more than two years ago. Ocalan stated that the talks held were based on the Road Map he had drawn up (a summary is included in this information file) and after the elections things would move ahead with the formation of a Peace Council at the initiative of the parliament of Turkey.
Ocalan even went so far to offer concrete steps for the disarmament of the Kurdish militants, but Erdogan did not even respond to this proposal. This is why Ocalan does not find the talks meaningful at the moment. Instead of searching for the grounds for a viable compromise, the Turkish government has used the talks as a means of delaying a real solution.
The statement added that "Erdogan government is fully responsible for the current massive military attacks which are in violation of international law. It is no longer possible to hide behind the back of the powerful Turkish military. There remain no excuses for not solving the conflict through political means. Erdogan wanted this military operation, he prepared it and he is leading it".
Underlining that military attacks do not contribute to a solution of the conflict but can only intensify it the International Initiative calls "for an immediate stop of all military action and a prompt resuming of the talks between Ocalan and the Erdogan government. Only dialogue can lead to a meaningful solution of the conflict. Ocalan's isolation must be lifted and he should be transferred into a setting which will allow him to successfully play his constructive and mediating role."
The international public should not stay silent, said the Initiative.
