After anonymous accounts on social media shared rumours of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan’s death, the European Kurdish Democratic Societies Congress (KCDK-E) co-Presidency Council issued a statement addressing the claims.
“The isolation must be urgently lifted and a meeting with Mr Abdullah Öcalan must be ensured”, said the KCDK-E in their written statement.
The Congress called on the Kurdish people and their international allies to act urgently with events and demonstrations to draw attention to the highly concerning claims about Öcalan’s health.
“The fascist Turkish state not only abstains from sharing any information regarding the life and health conditions of Leader Apo [Abdullah Öcalan], but also prevents his lawyers and family members from visiting him for months”, said the KCDK-E. “The Committee to Prevent Torture [CPT] recently came to Turkey, but never visited İmralı island. We condemn this isolation system, which does not comply with international law”.
The KCDK-E also referred to the statements of Öcalan’s lawyers and recalled their demands that “the isolation” be “lifted urgently”.
“Kurdish people see Leader Apo as their red line and their future. They demand, with no further excuses, the lifting of isolation, and the guarantee of a meeting with Mr Abdullah Öcalan. The isolation and torture system imposed on him should end immediately”.
