For 22 months there has been no sign of life from the Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, who is totally isolated on the prison island of Imrali. In an interview with ANF, the Kurdish leader’s brother, Mehmet Öcalan, talked about the current developments.

Mehmet Öcalan emphasised that his brother is in a completely lawless space. “The isolation has reached indescribable proportions. The reason for this is that the Turkish state is not prepared to solve the Kurdish question. As someone who has participated most often in the visits to Imrali, I can say that Abdullah Öcalan has been trying to solve the Kurdish question in Turkey in a democratic way for over 22 years. But the state and the government don't want that because they benefit from the lack of a solution. They keep themselves alive through this."

‘IF HE DIDN’T MEET WITH THE CPT, THIS IS A FORM OF RESISTANCE’

Mehmet Öcalan pointed out that his brother is resisting the systematic violation of the law and that he clearly expressed this in a telephone conversation two years ago, which was interrupted after a few minutes for unknown reasons. "Abdullah Öcalan clearly underlined on the phone that if there was a law in Turkey, it would have to be applied to him. He asked who had sent me and said that in the legal framework there must first be a discussion with his lawyers. He said, 'You are acting wrongly and the state is acting wrongly'. While I was explaining my reasons, the phone call was suddenly cut off."

If the rumours are true that he did not talk to the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) during its last visit to Turkey in September, this should be understood as a protest against the isolation policy that has become systematic, said Mehmet Öcalan: "If Abdullah Öcalan did not meet with the CPT, this is a form of resistance and a justified reaction. Because Europe, the US and the other powers are also responsible for the special system on Imrali."

"THE OPPOSITION HAS ITS SHARE IN THE ISOLATION"

The opposition around the CHP also shares responsibility for breaking the law on Imrali, said Mehmet Öcalan, and criticised the fact that they always talk about "rights, law and justice" but do not say a word about Imrali. Remarking that the root of the problem lies in this double standard, he continued: "Nothing has been heard from the four people on Imrali for almost two years. They cannot use their legally guaranteed rights. They cannot meet with their relatives and their legal counsel. When it comes to polemics and speculations about Abdullah Öcalan, the government and the opposition speak out, but when it comes to the lack of rights on Imrali, they do not say a word. Even the so-called opposition TV channels do not put this issue on the agenda. This is the problem. It is ugly and shameful."

Mehmet Öcalan stressed that the opposition is serving the government with its silence on this issue and therefore injustice is spreading more and more. “This can be seen in the policy of appointing trustees to HDP-ruled municipalities. Here, too, the main opposition did not make a sound. Now, however, the CHP is threatened by this even in Istanbul.”

"ÖCALAN IS THE KEY TO SOLUTION"

Mehmet Öcalan remarked that the Kurdish question goes beyond Turkey, noting that his brother has repeatedly called for talks to find a solution. Calling for the gates of Imrali to be opened immediately, Mehmet Öcalan stated: "Turkey's most important problem is the Kurdish question. If this problem is solved in 2023, the democratic as well as the political and economic problems can be solved. If the gates of Imrali are opened, the Kurdish question will be solved democratically. This applies to both the current government and the opposition that wants to come to power. Abdullah Öcalan is the key to the solution. The gates of Imrali must be opened as soon as possible."