On the occasion of the sacrifice festival, a delegation of MED TUHAD-FED (MED Legal and Solidarity Associations Federation of Prisoners and Convict Families) visited the village of Amara in the province of Urfa on Sunday. The Kurdish leader and freedom philosopher Abdullah Öcalan was born in this village. The delegation from the board of the association was received by Öcalan's brother, Mehmet Öcalan, and the HDP deputy Ömer Öcalan.

MED TUHAD-FED co-chair Zeki Baran said in Amara that the federation had already tried to visit the village twice in 2022 but had been prevented both times and congratulated Öcalan and his family on the Feast of Sacrifice.

"We will extend our struggle for the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan"

Referring to Öcalan's 23-year isolation, Baran continued, "An inhuman policy of isolation is being pursued. The only aim of this policy is to break the bond between Mr. Öcalan and the Kurdish people. Whatever happens, Mr Öcalan's ideas and his struggle will never be forgotten, even if thousands of years should pass. Therefore, the Kurdish people and the peoples of the Middle East must seek what they have lost. Because all political, economic and administrative crises today are linked to the isolation imposed on Öcalan. Therefore, Mr. Öcalan must regain his physical freedom as soon as possible. Therefore, the Kurdish people should expand their initiatives and continue their efforts."

"Öcalan is the contact person for peace"

HDP MP Ömer Öcalan reported that in 2015, when the AKP/MHP regime broke off the peace talks, Öcalan's isolation intensified and said: "Our door is always open to the Kurdish people, because Öcalan’s ideas resonate in the hearts of the Kurdish people. The Turkish state also has to deal with this situation. Currently, war is raging in four parts of Kurdistan. In order to prevent these wars and stop the bloodshed, the isolation of Öcalan must end and dialogue must be started. The only interlocutor for peace in the Middle East is Mr Öcalan."

"The gates of Imrali must be opened"

Mehmet Öcalan noted that there has been no contact with his brother for three years and stated: "The obstacles to visits must be lifted immediately. But we see that the law has been suspended on Imrali Island. This is unacceptable. The law should be the same in all prisons. The gates of Imralı should be opened to lawyers, family members and delegations. If this door is opened, there will be peace in the Middle East. Anything else will not benefit the Turkish, Kurdish and Arab people, nor the other peoples. Because the policy of isolation is affecting the whole country."