Kurdistan Martyrs and Disappeared Families Association (KOMAW) made a written statement regarding the ongoing aggravated isolation of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan.

The statement said: “As isolation was not enough, for over two years Öcalan has been denied any contact with both his lawyers and his family. Abdullah Öcalan, who was brought to Turkey from Kenya as a result of an international conspiracy on 15 February 1999, has been kept in a solitary cell to this day. Hamili Yıldırım, Ömer Hayri Konar and Veysi Aktaş, who were brought to Imrali later, are also kept in isolation cells. What is being done to Mr. Öcalan and the prisoners in Imrali is against all international law. However, the Turkish government continue all unlawful practices by constantly violating the law.”

The statement added: “First of all, we are concerned about the life of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan and the other prisoners in Imrali. As KOMAW, the institution for families of war victims, we consider their lives and our own lives as the same and equivalent. Because we see Abdullah Öcalan as the most fundamental and greatest force that can stop war and conflict and ensure peace. He had already said to the Turkish government, ‘Give me an opportunity, I will stop this war in a week.’ As KOMAW, we condemn these aggressive and inhumane practices implemented by the Turkish government and those who support them by remaining silent.”

The statement continued: “We call on international organizations and institutions that have direct or indirect relations with the Republic of Turkey, in particular the UN, ECHR, European Parliament, to fulfil their responsibilities as soon as possible in accordance with the humanitarian purposes stated in your statutes. If they fulfil their responsibilities, the world’s humanity, along with the Kurdish people, will be able to breathe in a peaceful environment, a comfortable and free life.”