Lawyers from the Asrın Law Bureau have submitted an urgent request to the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) for a visit to their client, Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The request, reported by the Mezopotamya News Agency on Tuesday, outlines alleged rights violations against Öcalan and other prisoners at Turkey’s İmralı Island Prison, including Ömer Hayri Konar, Hamili Yıldırım, and Veysi Aktaş, between May and July 2024.
The lawyers stated that from 1 May to 30 July, they made 36 requests to meet with their clients, all of which were ignored by the prison administration.
Öcalan, who has been held in solitary confinement for over 25 years, received a new three-month disciplinary sanction on 4 July 2024. This was imposed before the expiration of a previous penalty from April, marking at least the 23rd such measure since 14 September 2018, effectively preventing him from seeing his lawyers and family.
The lawyers have criticised the disciplinary measures as being imposed in secrecy, arguing that they violate legal norms, as Öcalan’s legal team was not informed. The process was finalised without due process, infringing upon Öcalan’s right to defence. Furthermore, on 3 May 2024, the Bursa 2nd Execution Judge’s Office imposed an additional ban on lawyer visits, which was formalised on 14 May, again bypassing legal procedures.
During the period covered by the latest sanction, three earthquakes occurred in the Marmara Sea, raising concerns for the safety of those on İmralı Island, where Öcalan is held. Meanwhile, a series of prison protests, including hunger strikes demanding Öcalan’s freedom, ended on 4 July without any response from the authorities. The lawyers warn that these unresolved issues could result in irreversible harm.
The application also notes various national and international efforts to address the communication blackout with İmralı, including interventions by bar associations, international conferences, and appeals from 69 Nobel laureates for Öcalan’s release. The lawyers criticised the CPT for its lack of stronger action and urged the committee to adopt extraordinary measures to address the ongoing mistreatment and isolation of Öcalan.
The lawyers are calling for immediate action to prevent further deterioration of the situation at İmralı, emphasising the need to restore communication and address the human rights concerns involved.
Öcalan has been held incommunicado for the past 41 months, following a ban on legal visits imposed by the prison authorities. The CPT has previously visited İmralı but has not released a recent report on prison conditions and Öcalan’s welfare. The organisation requires permission from the Turkish government to release inspection reports, which has not been granted.
