Karian Therese Westerheim, chair of the European Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC), emphasised the critical need for intensified diplomatic efforts at both national and international levels to secure the release of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan, detained in strict isolation in Turkey’s Imrali Prison. Speaking to the ANHA news agency on Friday, Westerheim highlighted Öcalan’s significant impact on the Kurdish liberation movement and the international interest in his cause, growing despite his prolonged isolation.
Westerheim stated that Öcalan, widely recognised as a political prisoner, faces isolation that not only breaches human rights but also hinders prospects for peace in the region. She pointed out the detrimental effects of solitary confinement on the mental and physical health of political detainees, and highlighted the absence of conducive conditions in Imrali, as confirmed by reports of the Council of Europe’s anti-torture committee (CPT).
Westerheim remains hopeful about Öcalan’s resilience and the potential for his ideas to inspire peace and democratic reforms despite the challenges. She called for a unified effort to break the silence around his imprisonment, advocating for dialogue and legal compliance from the Turkish government, and encouraging activists and NGOs to foster understanding and support for a resolution to the Kurdish issue through peaceful means.