KCDK-E: It's time to increase the struggle for Öcalan's freedom

The European Kurdish Democratic Societies Congress (KCDK-E) announced that a vigil would be carried out in front of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) from 7 to 9 December in order “to maximize the struggle for the freedom of Öcalan”.

The KCDK-E released a written statement on the aggravated isolation of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan in the Imrali prison. “The fascist Turkish state aims to achieve results by spreading genocidal attacks from the İmralı prison into North, South, Rojava Kurdistan, prisons and society. For this reason, the İmralı prison has become the epicentre of the dirty war and genocide attacks. The Kurdish people's march for freedom is prevented by the isolation that has been imposed on Öcalan for more than 24 years. This attack, launched against Öcalan, continues and spread throughout Kurdistan and the Middle East,” the written statement said.

“The genocidal attacks have been largely frustrated by the mobilization of the Kurdish people. However, the isolation of Öcalan has increased because of the silence of the international forces and their contributions to the Turkish state in line with their interests.

Millions of Kurdish people and their friends want to know what is happening in Imrali.

We follow the developments with deep concern.

We are deeply concerned to learn from a statement by the Asrın Law Office on November 29 that the CPT delegation did not meet with Öcalan. It is very likely that there is another explanation apart from the rumors that 'Öcalan himself did not want to meet with the CPT'.

Unless the CPT makes a reliable statement on the issue and the Kurdish people are convinced by the statements made, there remains a serious and worrisome situation. Therefore, we are still seriously concerned about the health and safety of Öcalan.

There has been complete obscurity and uncertainty about Öcalan’s situation for 21 months. Together with the absolute isolation, there has been a continuous visiting ban. Even though it is the fascist Turkish state that isolates Öcalan who was captured by an international conspiracy, it is international powers that enforce it. Therefore, the institutions to which the CPT is affiliated, the Council of Europe (CoE), the CoE Committee of Ministers, the ECtHR and the EU must fulfil their responsibilities to end the isolation.

The European states that boast about protecting democracy, human rights and universal principles should take action to end this isolation.

'TIME FOR MOBILIZATION'

It is time for mobilization and to maximize the struggle for the freedom of Öcalan.

Therefore, it is time to mobilize with an effective and productive struggle spirit without stopping until we hear news from Öcalan.

A 3-day vigil will be launched with a press release in front of the CPT on December 7-9, 2022.

The vigil will begin at 10:00 am on Wednesday, December 7th in Strasbourg.