Lawyers, rights activists: Isolation is unjust contravening all laws

LINA JANKER /QAMIŞLO

An intensive isolation has been imposed by the Turkish occupation against of the leader of the Kurdish people Abdullah Ocalan in Imrali prison, raising the concern of social actors about the health and safety of Ocalan.

Hawar news agency (ANHA) held interview with lawyers and human rights activists in Girkê Legê district, stressing the need to work and continue the struggle in various fields to lift the isolation against Ocalan, and stressed that the policy of isolation is contrary to international laws and norms.

“Isolation is unjust for a political detainee”

Lawyer Mohsen Allawi referred to the policy of the Turkish state based on the liquidation of all opponents to its approaches and policies in order to protect its national-based regime and dictatorship.

Allawi said that the isolation of Ocalan and the prevention of his family and lawyers from his visit is contrary to international laws and human rights laws, and is considered a violation of international laws to the rights of political prisoners, the isolation imposed on the leader of the Kurdish people Abdullah Ocalan is an unjust action against a political detainee, its purpose to undermine the will and determination of the leader and prevent his communication with the people, and prevent the dissemination of democratic thought.

“Isolation is a crime against humanity”

A human rights activist and member of the human rights organization in al-Jazeera region, Abbas Sami described the Turkish state practices towards Ocalan, as the attack on peace and the will of peoples and co-existence and said it was considered a crime against humanity.

Sami added, "Since Ocalan's trial, all laws have been violated by preventing his meeting him or talking with his lawyers and his family through of communication, although the Turkish law itself guarantees these rights to detainees."

About 586 requests to visit Ocalan have been rejected by Turkish authorities since 10 Sep 2016."

Sami also criticized the positions of Committee Against Torture belonging to European Union which is still keeping silent towards isolation against Ocalan for 7 consecutive years, and did not try to meet Ocalan or release a report about his health and safety.

Human rights activists and lawyers should made their legal responsibilities

Sami Talib in the context of his speech demanded all lawyers and human rights activists to expose of the Turkish state's practices towards Ocalan, "We must make it clear to the public opinion that these practices violate the provisions of international laws and covenants on the rights of political detainees."

According to Sami, Turkish state's violations are contrary to a number of basic principles for the treatment of prisoners adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations. Including articles 1_2_3_4_5_6 of the Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners adopted and published by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 11 December 1995, which include:

1. All prisoners are treated with the necessary respect for their dignity.

2. No discrimination shall be made between prisoners on the basis of race or color.

3_ Respect for religious beliefs and cultural principles of detainees.

4. All prisoners shall retain human rights and fundamental freedoms based on universal human rights law.

Human rights activist and lawyer Abbas Sami appealed to all human rights activists and lawyers, as well as international human rights organizations, to confront these "anti-democratic and anti-moral practices and to escalate the rights and democracy struggle to end isolation."

(T/S)

ANHA