AMED - Relatives of prisoners who have been carrying out the Justice Watch in Amed for 90 days said: "If Abdullah Ocalan is free, our children will also be free."

 

There has been no news from PKK Leader Abdullah Ocalan, who has been held in absolute isolation conditions in Imralı, for 36 months. Ocalan's meeting with his family and lawyers is prevented, citing "disciplinary penalties". A series of protests and events continue in Europe, the Middle East and Turkey, demanding "freedom for Abdullah Ocalan and a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue." While political prisoners in Turkey and Kurdistan prisons have been on a rotating hunger strike with the same demand since November 27, 2023, their families are on Justice Watch outside.

 

Many relatives of prisoners are on guard duty for Ocalan's freedom in Amed, Wan, Êlih (Urfa), Mêrdîn, Mersin, Istanbul and Izmir. The watch in Amed has entered its 90th day under the leadership of the Prisoner Families Solidarity Association (TUAY-DER). Relatives of prisoners are trying to make both the voices of the prisoners and themselves heard by wearing aprons with the words "Isolation is a crime against humanity" that they have been wearing every day from morning to evening for 3 months. The stories of the women on duty have something in common. Each woman who attended the watch stated that Ocalan's freedom is the freedom of their children. 

 

'END SLAVERY'

 

Afife Kartal, who lost a daughter and had a son prisoner in the Kurdish freedom struggle, summarized the purpose of the action with the words, "We will not leave here until the isolation on Mr. Ocalan end." Underlining that there is a need for peace and that they are fighting for it, Kartal said: “If Abdullah Ocalan is free, our children will also be free. Let this slavery end."

 

Reminding that it is a right for Ocalan to be allowed to meet with his family, Kartal said: “Whenever we hear from Abdullah Ocalan, we will be relieved. Let him meet with his family and lawyers. I wanted peace when I held my daughter's lifeless body in my hands. I don't want any mother to cry. After my daughter, my son is arrested, I don't want no one to be in prison."

 

'WE ARE ALL UNDER ISOLATION'

 

One of those at the watch is Aklime Hanas. Hanas, known for her Kurdish song "Yan mirin yan Diyarbekir", which she sang during democracy protests, was subjected to police violence many times. Even though she is 62 years old, Hanas is at the forefront of all protests. Hanas reiterated her purpose and demand by saying, "Once Abdullah Ocalan is free, we will be free too." 

Hanas said: "Today, not only Ocalan is in isolation, but all of us are in isolation, political prisoners are also in isolation. Let's break the isolation, let our Leader Abdullah Ocalan, our children and we all be free. We, Kurds, want our land, water, especially our language."

 

'IF WE JOIN HAND IN HAND, WE WILL LIBERATE'

 

Emphasizing that the solution to the Kurdish issue lies in Imralı, Hanas continued: "Abdullah Ocalan's freedom means the freedom of Kurds, Turks and everyone else. This is my call to prisoner mothers, I do not have children in prison today. I have been at home for 3 months, leaving my work and everything, and coming here to the sit-in protest. Let all mothers, with or without prisoners, unite and come to support. By joining hands, we will liberate our children, Abdullah Ocalan and ourselves."

 

'THERE IS NO SUCH ILLEGALITY'

 

Nazime Boltan, mother of ill prisoner Civan Boltan, said: "I am here not only for my own children, but for all the prisoners. The solution address is Imralı. Isolation imposed on Öcalan must be abolished. Abdullah Ocalan must be allowed to meet with his lawyers and family. There is no such lawlessness anywhere in the world. The injustice done to prisoners today will be done to all of us tomorrow."