PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, who was brought to İmralı Island on February 15, 1999 with an international conspiracy, has been held in severe isolation conditions for 25 years. Abdullah Öcalan, who was able to use his right to call twice during the 25 years he was held in İmralı, has not been heard from since his phone call with his brother Mehmet Öcalan on March 25, 2021. The isolation system, which has been maintained with absolute lack of communication for 34 months, deepens public concerns. Against the lack of news from Abdullah Öcalan, a global campaign is launched on October 10 in 74 centers around the world with the motto "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, solution to the Kurdish issue". Thousands of prisoners started a rotating hunger strike on November 27, 2023, as part of the campaign. Prisoner families also started Justice Watch actions in many cities, demanding that the demands of the hunger strikes be met.

 

In the run-up to the March 31 Local Elections, the primary elections held by the People's Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) in 90 centers were marked by the reaction to the Imrali isolation and the demand for a solution to the Kurdish issue. Citizens who participated in the primary elections held in Cizîr district of Şirnex stated that they wanted to hear from İmralı and demanded that the isolation be ended.

 

HEALTH AND SAFETY CONDITIONS

 

Expressing that they are concerned about the health and security conditions of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, Emin Dalmış said: “There can be no peace without him. We want this isolation to be broken as soon as possible. We are all committed to Mr. Öcalan's ideas and philosophy. If he doesn't exist, we don't exist either. They are taking them into mass captivity with absolute isolation." 

 

CALL FOR UNITY AGAINST ISOLATION

 

Stating that they want to hear from Abdullah Öcalan as soon as possible, Dalmış said: “We do not know what Mr. Öcalan's situation is under the isolation conditions maintained by the AKP-MHP government. We fear for Mr. Öcalan's life. Our people in four parts of Kurdistan need to come together and break this isolation. When we achieve unity, we will break this isolation and hear from Mr. Öcalan. When Mr. Öcalan regains his physical freedom, all issues in this geography will be solved. The key to peace and tranquility is Mr. Öcalan. Mr. Öcalan's existence is the existence of all of us. If he is liberated, we will all be liberated."

 

THE SOLUTION ROLE IN THE KURDISH ISSUE

 

Focusing on the role and effects of Abdullah Öcalan in the solution of the Kurdish issue, Ömer Yana said: “There can be no talk of life until the absolute isolation imposed on Mr. Öcalan is end. No solution can be talked about until we hear from him. As the Kurds, we stand behind Mr. Öcalan and follow his path. When we ensure our unity as the Kurds, we can also ensure the physical freedom of Mr. Öcalan.” 

 

THE MAIN SOURCE OF ISSUES: ISOLATION

 

Stating that they support the demands of the prisoners on hunger strike against the Imrali isolation, Sıdıka Erden said: “This isolation on Mr. Öcalan must be end as soon as possible. The demands of the prisoners must be met. The Kurds must embrace and express these demands. The demands of the prisoners are peace and freedom. Neither the guerrilla nor the soldier nor the police must lose their lives. Everyone needs to respond and listen to these demands. Not getting any news from Mr. Öcalan is the biggest source of today's issues. It deepens the issues. When the isolation on Mr. Öcalan is end, the solution to the issues will begin." 

 

'LET'S LIBERATE LEADER APO'

 

Ayşe Avşar said: "We want to hear from Mr. Öcalan now. Mr. Öcalan is the leader of all of us. When he is released, peace and tranquility will come. My call to all Kurds, Let's liberate Leader Apo. If the doors of İmralı are opened, the doors of all other dungeons will also be opened. When Mr. Öcalan regains his freedom, everyone will be free."

 

'THE KURDS MUST ENSURE THEIR UNITY'

 

Emphasizing the importance of ensuring the unity of the Kurds, Ömer Küçük said: “Due to the lack of alliance of the Kurds, the isolation in İmralı is getting worse every day. When negotiations with Mr. Öcalan begin, there will be an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. We haven't heard about his health for a long time. We are concerned about this. If we maintain our unity, we will start to receive news from İmralı. It's all about ensuring the unity of the Kurds. When we hear a voice from Imrali, we can talk about peace."

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut - Ömer Akın