Öznur Değer

 

ANKARA - Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Foreign Relations Commission Co-Spokesperson Feleknas Uca evaluated their meeting with the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), said: “Our relations with the CPT will be strengthened. We will continue our dialoguing. The meeting was important and took place in an important process. We conveyed our demands, the demands of the family and lawyers. We wish a step to be taken.”

 

HDP Foreign Relations Commission Co-Spokespersons Feleknas Uca and Hişyar Özsoy was held a meeting with the CPT in Strasbourg, France, on April 23 regarding the isolation conditions and rights violations in prisons and against the Kurdistan Workers’Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan, who was held in İmralı Prison. While the isolation imposed upon Abdullah Öcalan has become increasingly worried by the public, the interruption of the phone call he had with his family in recent weeks has increased the current concerns.

HDP Foreign Relations Commission Co-Spokesperson Feleknas Uca made evaluations regarding the deepening isolation in İmralı with the meeting they held with the CPT. 

 

'As HDP, we met the CPT for the first time'

 

Stating that Abdullah Öcalan has been held hostage for 22 years, Feleknas pointed out that this isolation is a red line not only for his family and lawyers but also for the Kurdish people and their friends. Stating that the İmralı isolation has been brought to the agenda with the protests that have been carried out for 22 years, Feleknas added that, as the HDP, they had a meeting with the CPT for the first time. Feleknas, going to the commission in Strasbourg underlined that they held meetings with delegations in Europe. Feleknas continued: "We met with the commission are discussing a problem in Turkey. We express our problems. We have been in a relationship with the CPT for years, holding meetings and discussing the problems in İmralı. We share the situations experienced in Turkey’s prisons and the demands of family and lawyers. One of the topics in our talks with the CPT was the ongoing hunger strikes in prisons. The resistance in prisons has been going on for 150 days. Talks are held after the resistance, the isolation is partially lifted, but the talks are cut again afterward. This issue has not been completely resolved. We are constantly encountering problems."

 

'Prisons have turned into torture centers'

 

Stating that the pressure, violence, and isolation in prisons are increasing day by day, Feleknas emphasized that the isolation is continued not only on Abdullah Öcalan but also on all prisoners. Stating that the prisoners' rights were also confiscated, Feleknas said; “Every prison has turned into a torture center. Prisoners who have been held in prison for years are left on the initiative of the principal and are prevented from being released as a result of the law enacted. Prisons have become cemetery centers because there is a funeral every day. Sick and long-term prisoners are brought to the agenda. When we went to Strasbourg last month, we wanted to meet with the CPT. However, the CPT was in Turkey. We could not arrange a face-to-face meeting as they visited prisons. We discussed the isolation and prison conditions over the phone. Solution suggestions were discussed at that time. This time we had the opportunity to meet face to face. The CPT is an organization that monitors the İmralı Prison under the Council of Europe (EC). CPT went to İmralı many times and met with the Kurdish peoples’ leader and presented its reports. They also reported İmralı torture and presented it a few months ago. For the first time in a long time, the İmralı system was expressed as torture. This is a very important situation. However, they had not visited İmralı during their last visit. There are also concerns regarding Abdullah Öcalan in the recent period.”

 

'Mr. Öcalan is a pioneer of peace for the Kurdish people'

 

Saying "Mr. Öcalan is a pioneer of peace for the Kurdish people", Feleknas noted that the whole world saw the solution power of Abdullah Öcalan. Reminding Abdullah Öcalan's words, "If the state wishes, we can solve the Kurdish problem in a week." Feleknas stated that the government responded by attacking the gains of the Kurds with the policy of occupation and war and added speed to its attacks day by day. Feleknas continued, "The interruption of Mr. Öcalan's phone call has raised concerns. Europe's role and mission are also very important here. This problem will not go away as long as the isolation is not eliminated. The solution to the Kurdish problem depends on the İmralı isolation and the situation of Mr. Öcalan. The status of politics in Turkey also depending on İmralı. Europe is aware of the role of Mr. Öcalan. The government constantly denies requests for a lawyer interview. CPT is also following İmralı and they are in search and effort for solution methods. However, steps need to be taken not only volition but also practically. The CPT's visit to Turkey had met with Mr. Öcalan and the lawyers but did not. This problem should be resolved as soon as possible. For this reason, İmralı doors should be opened.”

 

'We are in a relationship with the CPT and we will maintain our relations'

 

In many countries of Europe, noting that campaigns were launched to end the isolation and liberation of Abdullah Öcalan, Feleknas continued as follows: "While the peoples in Europe are talking about Öcalan's freedom, we are talking about the lifting of isolation in Turkey. We must develop this idea and put Abdullah Öcalan on the agenda more. Although the CPT is responsible for this isolation, it is also Europe. For a solution, the İmralı isolation must be lifted. The İmralı problem must be solved radically now. Lawyers and family are also getting an effort to interview. We will continue our work in the international arena. We know that Turkey has been disturbed about this effort. The discomfort felt over our meeting with the CPT was also expressed in the mainstream media. As HDP, we will continue the role and mission we played in the solution process today. Our relations with the CPT will also be strengthened. We will continue our dialoguing. We can also make different meeting requests. This is an international issue. The meeting was important and took place in an important process. We conveyed our demands and the demands of the family and lawyers. We wish a step forward."