AMED - OHD member Yusuf Cakas pointed out that the absolute isolation in Imrali has no place in either domestic or international law and criticized the silence of international organizations regarding this issue.

 

The absolute isolation of PKK Leader Abdullah Ocalan and prisoners Omer Hayri Konar, Hamili Yıldırım and Veysi Aktaş, who are held in Imrali Type F High Security Closed Prison, is in its 38th month. While 538 demand for meet regarding Abdullah Ocalan remained inconclusive during this period, reactions against the isolation continue. Lawyer Yusuf Cakas from the Amed Branch of the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (OHD) evaluated the state of absolute lack of communication in Imrali.

 

'THERE IS NO SUCH PROCEDURE'

 

Cakas said: "The execution regulation does not say 'You can meet by phone, except for Ocalan'. Or there is no such procedure for the lawyer's meeting. Even if there is a disciplinary penalty, this lawyer's opinion cannot be prevented. With these practices, the aim is to cut off contact with the outside world through isolation."

 

Drawing attention to the political dimension of the isolation, Cakas said: "When you make the isolation absolute, it has repercussions in every aspect. Today, thousands of prisoners and convicts who are away from their families are a part of the isolation. Today, the examination of an 81-year-old ill prisoner in handcuffs is a reflection of the isolation."

 

CRITICS TO CPT

 

"You cannot prevent any idea from reaching the masses by isolating it" said Cakas, emphasizing that it is written in the law that the visit of lawyers and families can not be prevented. Cakas also criticized the attitude of international organizations regarding isolation.

 

Criticizing the attitude of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) regarding Imrali, Cakas said: "Isolation is wrong and has no place in Turkey's own domestic law. It has no place in international law either. But in international relations, Turkey and other countries in Europe Isolation is always on the table as a trump card in the relations of states."

 

KURDISH ISSUE

 

Reminding the ECHR's previous decision regarding Abdullah Ocalan's "right to hope (giving the opportunity to release a prisoner sentenced to life or aggravated life imprisonment)", Cakas stated that isolation is still on the agenda due to non-compliance with this decision. Pointing to the discussions on the new constitution, Cakas said the following: "You prepare the constitution according to the problems of the country. I have no hope that anything good will come out of the constitution prepared by a government that does not see isolation, the Kurdish issue, and the current socio-economic situations as an issue."