İHD President Öztürk Türkdoğan objected to the isolation of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan, and said that Mr. Öcalan’s rights are violated.

İHD President Öztürk Türkdoğan spoke to ANF on Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s isolation. Türkdoğan objected to the isolation of Öcalan and said that Mr. Öcalan’s rights are violated. Türkdoğan called for the implementation of the February 28 declaration to end Öcalan’s isolation in a way that enables Mr. Öcalan to meet with his organization.

'MR. ÖCALAN IS DEPRIVED OF HIS RIGHTS'

Türkdoğan stated that Mr. Öcalan has rights as a prisoner including being able to meet with his lawyers and relatives. However, these rights are violated with the Ministry of Justice’s prevention of such meetings. Türkdoğan pointed out that the legal arrangements made last July as part of the peace process offer Öcalan some communication possibilities but are implemented arbitrarily and inconsistently. Türkdoğan said that the İmralı committee could have met with Mr. Öcalan if this inconsistence had not existed, and described the state’s preventions as an indication that the peace process is still at its dialogue stage and AKP has not fully grasped the importance of the Kurdish issue.

'HDP IS ON THE RIGHT PATH, NOT AKP'

Türkdoğan stated that June 7 election results reflect the problems with AKP’s non-compliance with the February 28 declaration, and said that especially Kurdish voters punished AKP. Türkdoğan said HDP’S unexpected election victory shows that HDP is on the right path, not AKP. Türkdoğan added that the public saw the efforts by HDP and KCK to prevent provocations, and punished AKP’s marginalizing, hostile and discriminatory discourses.

'FEBRUARY 28 DECLARATION SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED'

Türkdoğan emphasized that the February 28 declaration should be implemented and Mr. Öcalan’s call for the formation of an Observers’ Committee should be taken seriously. Türkdoğan stated that a Truth Reconciliation Committee should be formed in the new parliament and PKK should organize its congress simultaneously. Türkdoğan added that Turkey should learn how to live with Rojava on its borders.

'DEAR ÖCALAN SHOULD BE ABLE TO MEET WITH HIS ORGANIZATION'

İHD President Öztürk Türkdoğan stated that the establishment of an observers’ committee implies the start of negotiations, which should be under legal guarantees. Türkdoğan described the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan as unlawful and arbitrary. Türkdoğan emphasized the need for legal guarantees and mechanisms, which would prevent the arbitrary interventions of the Turkish president. Türkdoğan called for the creation of a mechanism through which Mr. Öcalan can meet and communicate with his organization and other social groups.