Abdullah Öcalan‘s solitary confinement in Turkey reaches “total isolation” with İmralı Island akin to a “floating coffin”, said Spanish signatories who petitioned the European anti-torture committee for intervention.
This coalition, consisting of 81 associations, trade unionists and academics from Spain, has called for urgent measures to address what they describe as inhumane conditions.
In their detailed letter to the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), the signatories expressed deep concern about Öcalan’s prolonged isolation, which they argue constitutes a severe human rights violation.
“For the past 36 months, Abdullah Öcalan has been effectively ‘disappeared’ into a void of ‘non-existence’, isolated from the outside world, including his lawyers and family,” the letter elaborates. They implore the CPT to use its authority to inspect İmralı Island Prison and ensure Öcalan can communicate in a setting free from duress.
The letter emphasised the legal responsibilities of the CPT under the Council of Europe, highlighting the need for compliance with the principles of human rights and the rule of law. By advocating for Öcalan’s ability to meet with his legal representatives and family, the Spanish signatories argued, Turkey could take a significant step towards aligning with its international obligations and fostering a climate conducive to resolving the Kurdish issue peacefully.
Consuelo Nunez from Rojava Freedom Collective – Madrid, speaking to MedyaNews’ Erem Kansoy, voiced deep concerns about the treatment of Öcalan on behalf of various Spanish organisations and individuals. “We are very concerned about the situation in İmralı Prison Island and the situation and whereabouts of Mr Abdullah Öcalan,” she said.
In her remarks, Nunez highlighted the severity of Öcalan’s solitary confinement, framing it as a clear breach of human rights. “The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture considers this isolation as torture, and we cannot open our minds for solutions if we don’t stop this torture,” she explained. She stressed the Committee’s responsibility to monitor and ensure that Council of Europe member states, including Turkey, uphold anti-torture standards.
Nunez further linked the treatment of Öcalan to broader regional stability. “There is no possibility of any peace in Turkey and Kurdistan if we don’t end these awful practices,” she warned, illustrating the potential consequences of continued human rights violations.
She urgently called for the CPT to act: “Please, please, the CPT, we ask you to go and fulfil your duties because we as European citizens are requesting you to do it,” she urged, emphasising the collective demand from concerned European citizens for immediate action.
