The chairperson of the Norwegian Red Party (Rødt) and MP Bjørnar Moxnes submitted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a parliamentary question on 15 March regarding the isolation imposed on Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan in Imralı island prison.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide said in her response that the human rights violations in Turkey and the negative developments regarding the rule of the judiciary are worrying. The minister said this issue has been repeatedly expressed by the government in both bilateral and multilateral meetings. At the same time, she emphasized that Turkey had to comply with international agreements, including the freedom of expression.

"There must be a negotiated solution"

The minister also remarked that in all bilateral talks the Norwegian Government emphasizes the need for a political solution through peaceful and democratic channels. She said this applies to both sides, ie both for the PKK and for Turkey, calling for both sides to solve the Kurdish question on the path of political negotiation.

The answer also stated that the Government of Norway supports the work of the Council of Europe for the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Turkey.

Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide stated; “The Council of Europe closely follows the situation in Turkey. The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) is in contact with Turkey regarding Ocalan's detention conditions, in particular with regard to the right to receive visits from lawyers and relatives. The Norwegian Government is convinced that its support to the Council of Europe and the CPT work are the main means of ensuring that Öcalan's conditions of detention correspond to Turkey's international obligations.”