San Miguel PEN writes to Turkish government on hunger strikes 

2019-03-25 15:41:29


	ANKARA- Judyth Hill, President of San Miguel Center of PEN International, wrote a petition to the Turkish government and Minister of Justice Abdulhamit Gül “for an immediate end to the unduly harsh and extreme punishment of 70-year-old Abdullah Öcalan.”

	Hill recalled that Öcalan has been cut off from the outside world completely: held for 20 years in total isolation in the Imrali island prison, under an unendurable full communication ban that covers telephones, letters, telegrams and any and all document sharing, in addition to the court-ordered ban on his receiving any visitors.

	 

	Describing the isolation as a serious violation of basic human rights as established by numerous international treaties, Hill stressed that; “Mr. Öcalan could play a key role in finding a peaceful solution for the crisis in Turkey and its neighboring countries. His voice must be heard. It is critical to the cause of freedom, justice and democracy that the harsh solitary confinement of Abdullah Öcalan come to an immediate end.”

	 

	Calling for an end to the isolation imposed on the Kurdish leader, President of San Miguel PEN continued; “I offer my vigorous and ongoing support of Abdullah Öcalan, in his role as a trusted and essential representative of the Kurdish people. Ocalan is a wise and temperate voice for the peaceful political resolution of the Kurdish crisis in Turkey, a conflict which has resulted in over 40,000 deaths, including both Kurdish and Turkish civilians.”

	 

	The petition ended with: “With my Kurdish brothers and sisters, I ask for an immediate end to the inhumane solitary confinement of Abdullah Öcalan, as a vital step in establishing peace, and the necessary and certain freedom of the Kurdish people.”