AMED - The action initiated by the relatives of the prisoners in 6 cities demanding "freedom for Abdullah Öcalan" continues. MED TUHAD-FED Co-chair Kerem Canpolat called on all segments to "contribute to solution and peace".

 

The isolation of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, who was brought to Turkey on February 15, 1999 with the joint conspiracy of international powers and placed in İmralı Type F High Security Closed Prison, continues. There has been no news from Abdullah Öcalan, who held in absolute isolation, since his interrupted phone call with his brother Mehmet Öcalan on March 25, 2021.

 

The "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, solution to the Kurdish issue" campaign was launched in 74 centers around the world on October 10, 2023, demanding the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan. Within the scope of the said campaign, periodic and rotating hunger strikes were launched in 106 prisons on November 27. Then relatives of the prisoners started Justice Watch actions.

 

JUSTICE WATCH IN 6 CITIES

 

Med Detainee and Convict Families Federation of Legal and Solidarity Associations (MED TUHADFED) announced in their statement on December 4, 2023 that Justice Watch actions will be initiated in affiliated associations. Association of Solidarity with Families of Detainees (TUAY-DER) in Amed, Çukurova Association of Solidarity with Families of Detainees and Convicts (Çukurova TUAY-DER) in Mersin, and Akdeniz Association of Solidarity with Families of Detainees and Convicts (AATUHAY-DER) in Adana, Justice Watch started on the same date.

 

Van Association for Assistance with Families of Detainees and Convicts (TUHAY-DER) joined the action on December 5. The action was launched on December 13 with the Marmara Association for Assistance with Families of Detainees and Convicts (MATUHAYDER). Finally, on December 27, the Justice Watch action was launched with the Aegean Association of Relatives of Detainees and Convicts (EGE TUHAYDER). Thus, the number of cities where the justice watch actions were initiated increased to 6.

 

'THE WAY OF SOLUTION MUST BE PAVEN'

 

Speaking about the action they initiated, MED TUHAD-FED Co-chair Kerem Canpolat said that the Imrali isolation is the cause of all the crises in the country. Stating that Abdullah Öcalan's thoughts should be brought together with the society, Canpolat reminded Abdullah Öcalan's words: "If given the opportunity, I will solve the Kurdish problem in a week." Emphasizing the need to pave the way for this promise, Canpolat said: "The reason for the current blockage in politics is that the path for this has not been paved."

 

MED TUHAD-FED Co-chair Kerem Canpolat

 

'IF WE MAKE VOICE, THE ISOLATION WILL END'

 

Canpolat stated that both the prisoners and their families are determined to continue their actions until freedom of Abdullah Öcalan is achieved. Emphasizing the need to react against the isolation in order for the conflicts to stop, people not to die and the resulting deepening economic crisis to end, Canpolat said: "If this isolation is not ended, the hunger strike may turn into an indefinite and irreversible form. There is something everyone can do to prevent funerals from coming out again. If we make voice, the isolation will end. Once the isolation will end, the chaos in Turkey will also end. Everyone needs to contribute to the peace of this country in some way."

 

'WE WILL RESIST'

  

Prisoner relative Yasure Tufan, who participated in the Justice Watch in Amed, said, "Our problem is the isolation imposed on Mr. Abdullah Öcalan." Stating that the "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, solution to the Kurdish issue" campaign must be expanded, Tufan said: "This campaign is for the Leader (Öcalan), It was started for those in prison. Let's do anything that we can. Let's pursue our land, our country, our Leader."

 

Tufan said, "Mothers should not cry anymore, no one should be killed. We want to raise our children in a beautiful world, on our own land. We will resist until a solution is found."

 

MA / Rukiye Adıgüzel