Marmara Prisoner and Convicted Families Solidarity Association (TUHAYDER) organized a press statement in their association buildings in Fatih, regarding the violations of rights and isolation imposed upon PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan and political prisoners.

 

Speaking in the meeting, TUHAYDER Co-Chair Hüsnü Taş said, "Isolation of Öcalan, the denial of Kurdish people and assimilation returns back as  oppression and fascism for Turkish people and reflects back on Middle Eastern societies as war and occupation policies. Everyone knows very well that when Öcalan is visited, he contributes a lot to social peace and his words have a correspondance within public opinion. The negotiations bring along many positive developments in the country."

 

'ANTI-DEMOCRATIC APPLICATIONS IN PRISONS'

 

Taş mentioned the violations of rights in prisons and that the sick prisoners, both detainees and the convicted, come out of the prison in coffins. Taş stated, "Under the name of disciplinary punishment, prisoners are being sent to isolation cells and face visit and communication bans. Many prisoners are exposed to violence during the cell search. These anti-democratic applications are also imposed in families.  Prisoners are transferred to such far away cities so that their families are kept in psychological and economical stress."

 

'THEY FEAR FROM PEACE AND EQUALITY'

 

HDP's former Şırnak deputy Ferhat Encü spoke afterwards and stated, "'Those who fear the removal of isolation are those who fear peace and equality. No slightest contact is able to be maintained with Öcalan. Isolation is lawful neither in national, nor in international laws. State should immediately shift to the ground for dialogue and break the absolute isolation. 

 

Also mentioning the violations of rights on behalf of Grup Yorum music band members, Encü said, "Grup Yorum members are kept in prison for no solid ground and the are on hunger strike. Their demands are our demands. State should take the steps which they are responsible for."