Peace Mothers in Van call for the lifting of isolation imposed on Öcalan

There has been no news about Abdullah Öcalan for 10 months. His lawyers and family’s applications for visits are either rejected without justification, or not answered. While the aggravated isolation policies against Öcalan continue, new violations against prisoners in Turkey and regional jails are recorded every day.

Members of the Van Peace Mothers Council called for an end to isolation and for the release of ill prisoners.

‘Lawyers should be allowed to meet Öcalan’

Peace Mother, Perişan Aslan, said that it is unacceptable to be left without news for such a long time and added that Öcalan’s lawyers should be allowed to go to Imrali. “As Peace Mothers we have been striving to bring peace to the lands of Kurdistan for years. We want peace not only for ourselves but for the whole country.”

‘We are all worried about his health’

Perişan added: “How long will this situation continue? We are all very worried about his health. We are also worried about ill prisoners. Every day we hear of the pressure in prisons, ill prisoners are not treated, they are persecuted.”

Hatice Akdoğan, another Peace Mother, stated that the isolation should be lifted and added: “Prisoners are isolated and not treated. We want the ill prisoners to be released so that they can be treated properly. We are calling on the Minister of Justice to allow Öcalan to receive visits and to release ill prisoners.”