Doctor Mustafa Keleş spoke to the Hawar Agency regarding the health condition of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) Leader Abdullah Öcalan. ”It is not possible to have good health under conditions of isolation,” he said.
The Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), affiliated to the Council of Europe, shared a report over its visit to Imrali Island on May 7, 2019. The report stated that the prison system has not had any “improvement” since the first official visit in 2016.
On the occasion of the visit, the delegation went to Imralı F-type High-Security Prison, in order to examine the treatment and conditions of detention of all (four) prisoners currently held on Imralı Prison island.
Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s lawyers were able to visit on 02-22 May, 12-18 June and 7 August 2019, after 8 years. Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office imposed a 6-month ban against lawyers visiting the Kurdish leader, Abdullah Öcalan on September 23, 2020.
Abdullah Öcalan, who was able to use the right to have a phone call on April 27 for the first time after 21 years. On the other hand, it was revealed that a family visitation ban was imposed on September 30, 2020. Until now, no information has been given regarding the health status of Abdullah Öcalan.
”It is not possible to have a good health in this situation”
Stating that the isolation against Abdullah Öcalan is increasing day by day. Doctor Mustafa Keleş said, “For Leader Abdullah Öcalan, serious steps should be taken regarding his health. It is not possible to have good health in isolation such as in İmralı.’’ Keleş recalled the decisions taken by the Geneva agreement and the article that guarantees his health. He emphasised that the necessary conditions should be provided for Öcalan’s health situation.
Dr. Keleş said, “Staying in a place surrounded by the sea brings physical problems. As it is known, that island conditions with humidity is at an extreme level. Living for 23 years in a narrow place will damage the internal organs and cause physical problems for entire body.’’ He also emphasised he should undergo a general health assessment at least once a month, and warned about the urgent health issues for Abdullah Öcalan.
”Önder Öcalan is 72 years old. Staying in Imrali for 23 years under conditions of isolation requires power. But gradual reduction in the ability of the body’s immunity will occur because of his age,” he said.
“The CPT and International organizations should take immediate action”
The United Nations (UN) should act in accordance with the laws it has determined in Geneva treaty. According to the decisions, there should be a hospital in the prison and a specialist doctor should regularly check prisoners health condition.” Dr. Mustafa Keleş called on the CPT and International arena to take serious steps that informs, urgently, about the health condition of imprisoned PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan.
