URFA - Stating that the political and democratic struggle against the aggravated isolation on PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan should be carried forward, Mehmet Öcalan condemned to the silence of the opposition on isolation.

 

The aggravated isolation on PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, held in İmralı Type F High Security Prison, continues. Öcalan, who has not been heard from for more than a year, is not allowed to meet with his family and attorneys. Commenting on the prevention of family visits, his brother Mehmet Öcalan said that this isolation, which has been going on for 23 years, has reached a higher level after 2014. Stating that the isolation has never been lifted, Öcalan said, "We see the condition after 2014-2015 beyond the isolation. An unprecedented practice in the world is being applied on Öcalan and his friends. One cannot find a definition for what has been implemented since 2014-2015. It can be called isolation to a certain extent, but since these dates what happened next is more serious than the isolation."

 

DISCIPLINARY PENALTIES

 

Referring to the 6-month ban on attorney visits given to the prisoners in İmralı, Öcalan stated that there is no justification for the disciplinary punishments. Öcalan said: "There is no justification for Öcalan to be punished. The state creates these justifications. If the state imposes punishment, there has to be reason."

 

'THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT WANT A SOLUTION'

 

Stating that the aggravation of the isolation is related to the Kurdish question, Öcalan said that the state's approach to the Kurdish question and its approach to Öcalan are related. Explaining that the state prevented the visit while it was expanding the war, Öcalan said, "The ground for this is related to the Kurdish question. The solution to the problems in the Middle East is the solution to the Kurdish question. Unless the Kurdish question is resolved, no one in the Middle East can be in peace. This war will continue. Both the Kurdish people and the state know that if a meeting with Öcalan is enabled, a new process will begin, the Kurdish question will be resolved. The state does not want the Kurdish question to be resolved democratically. The state's agenda is to destroy the Kurds."

 

'WE STEP UP FORWARD OUR STRUGGLE'

 

 

Stating that the solution was prevented with the closing of the Imrali gates, Mehmet Öcalan said: "The ability of the state and the government to rule is over. The elections are there. The state wants to maintain its power with nationalism and hostility against Kurds. Öcalan is being punished for nothing. This is a game of the government. We have to step up our struggle.The problems in the Middle East won't be resolved otherwise." 

 

THE OPPOSITION AND THE GOVERNMENT ARE AT THE SAME FRONT'

 

Öcalan made the following call to the opposition: "4 prisoners are being held hostages in İmralı. No one says anything except the HDP. The opposition is at the same front with the government." 

 

'WE SHOULD PUT ISOLATION ON THE AGENDA'

 

Responding to the blockade of the village against the planned visit to Amara, Öcalan said, "When a friend of Öcalan, a democratic institution or party comes, the governor's office declares a 2-day ban in all of Urfa. These practices are antidemocratic practices. It doesn't solve anything. We should put this isolation on the agenda."

 

MA / Müjdat Can