Lawyer Raziye Öztürk accused the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) of inconsistency regarding the treatment of Abdullah Öcalan and other prisoners in İmralı Island Prison. Speaking to Fırat News Agency on 23 July, she claimed that the CPT’s recent statements contradict its previous recommendations and a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).
Öztürk highlighted the Turkish government’s failure to adhere to CPT’s recommendations, stating, “CPT can initiate a procedure against Turkey’s non-compliance, but it refrains from doing so. This behaviour exposes CPT’s double standards towards the Turkish government.”
The CPT’s comments followed protests and sit-ins demanding Öcalan’s freedom. Öztürk remarked, “Their decision to engage with the media is likely a result of these protests. Previously, they continued their stance in face-to-face meetings.”
Despite recognising the importance of CPT’s statements, Öztürk criticised them for suggesting there was no mistreatment in the prison. “The impression given is that there’s no mistreatment by the prison administration or staff, only limitations on lawyer and family visits. This contradicts their previous findings and the ECtHR ruling. The fact that our clients have been incommunicado for over 40 months is inhumane,” she said.
Öztürk also pointed out that Öcalan and his fellow inmates lack even the basic rights of an aggravated execution regime. “In such a regime, prisoners have the right to family and lawyer visits without limitations, and some form of external communication. None of these rights are afforded to prisoners on İmralı Island, making the situation more than just mistreatment—it’s torture.”
Öztürk stressed that Öcalan’s isolation impacts the broader Kurdish community. “This issue affects not just our clients but their families and the Kurdish people as a whole. Öcalan’s leadership position means the entire Kurdish society suffers from his treatment.”
She concluded by reiterating CPT’s failure to act against Turkey’s non-compliance, noting the absence of Turkey from CPT’s 2025 visit agenda. “Despite the ongoing abuses, CPT appears to be sidelining İmralı from its schedule.”
The CPT has faced criticism for its handling of the situation on İmralı Island. Following questions from the Fırat News Agency, the CPT acknowledged concerns about the isolation of Öcalan but avoided publishing a detailed report, citing lack of authorisation from Turkey. The CPT has visited İmralı nine times, with the most recent visit in September 2022, yet the conditions of Öcalan’s detention remain a contentious issue, fuelling global campaigns for his freedom.
