Olivier Peter, a lawyer with the Geneva Bar Association who attended the “Political Prisoners in the World and Turkey” conference on Saturday, strongly criticised the conditions of Abdullah Öcalan’s detention, describing them as a “serious violation” of fundamental human rights, in an interview with Serkan Demirel of Medya Haber.
Peter stressed that the isolation imposed on Öcalan not only violates his rights, but also those of his family, stating that “families have the right to meet and communicate with their imprisoned relatives”. He emphasised the violation of Öcalan’s right to communicate with the outside world, describing the isolation as “inhumane” and tantamount to torture.
The lawyer also pointed out that the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) is aware of Öcalan’s situation, but that this information has not been made public. Peter argued that while the CPT could carry out its duty in İmralı, it needed the support of other states cooperating with Turkey to bring Öcalan’s case to the fore. He asserted that “Turkey will not act without international pressure”, underlining the need for global action.
Peter expressed his belief that “all political prisoners, including Öcalan, should be free”. Through demonstrations, condemnations and other forms of activism, Peter urged the international community to recognise this situation as a violation of human rights and to put pressure on Turkey to change.