The international campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and a political solution to the Kurdish question” launched on 10 October is also carried out with actions in North Kurdistan, despite serious threats of repression. For 34 months there has been no sign of life from Öcalan, who is held in total isolation on the prison island of Imrali. On 27 November, the PKK and PAJK prisoners began a hunger strike. At the same time, the relatives of the prisoners began justice vigils in six cities, organized by the Solidarity Association of Families of Prisoners TUAY-DER.

Isolation cannot break the will of prisoners

In an ANF interview, the mothers of political prisoners who took part in the vigil in Amed spoke about their motivation and demands.

Meryem Soylu, the mother of political prisoner Amine Kaya who is in jail in Istanbul, in Bakirköy, said: “What keeps the prisoners alive in prison is their struggle and their morals. I was in prison myself for nine years, so I know the conditions there very well. The isolation imposed on prisoners is extreme. But because of the prisoners' determination and fight, the enemy cannot break their will. The prisoners are determined and have a clear goal, which keeps them alive."

Soylu added: "Our role models are Mazlum Doğan and Kemal Pir, who broke the chain of cruelty and turned the jails into academies. Today the enemy imposes a very heavy isolation on the prisoners. Yet, everyone should know that the freedom of the Kurdish leader, Abdullah Öcalan, is the key to peace and freedom. As long as the Kurdish leader is not free, neither the peoples of Turkey nor the Middle East will be free. Today, everyone is isolated. The people cannot remain silent. As Kurdish mothers, we stand against all oppression. From here I appeal to the Kurds who serve the system and the enemy: You will be the next to be affected by today's persecution measures. Those who betray their own nation, their identity, their country and their mothers will one day face this persecution. I appeal to all humanity: join forces with the Kurdish people, be united, let us end this oppression together."

If there is justice, everyone will be free

Esma Seydaoğlu said: "As a Kurdish mother, I am here to show my solidarity. I came here to stand up for humanity, peace, justice and freedom. I call on the entire Kurdish people to support the prisoners. The Kurdish people must support each other for justice. Let us support this resistance with a strong voice for all of Kurdistan. Our resistance stands for justice. If there is justice, everyone will be free."

We will continue until the isolation is broken

Sülhiye Saruhan is the mother of a seriously ill prisoner. She said: "The prisoners’ only request is that we support them. Their goal is to break the isolation imposed on Rêber Apo [Abdullah Öcalan] and the other prisoners. The isolation directed against Rêber Apo has spread to the entire Kurdish people. Our children are arbitrarily denied release and placed in solitary confinement. As mothers, we want justice and equality. We haven't heard from Rêber Apo for three years. Our only wish is to hear from him and break his isolation."

Aklime Hanas emphasized that the protest will continue until Öcalan's isolation is broken: "We are here today to break total isolation. Our leader is totally isolated. That is the situation. We don't accept that. We want Rêber Apo to be released. Our children use their own bodies in resistance in prisons. They also have rights. We want all the prisoners’ demands to be met."