Dr. Kalash: Ocalan's situation concerning

On May 7^th, 2019 a delegation from the Committee for the Prevention of Torture paid a visit to the Imrali Island Prison, on which a report was filed that indicated no improvements were made since their last visit in 2016.  

Due to the tightened isolation imposed on leader, his lawyer, in the course of 8 years, were able to see him just five times, on May 2^nd and 22^nd, June 12^th, and 18^th, and August 7^th, 2019.

The Turkish Public Prosecution at the city of Bursa, in a report on September 23^rd, 2020, that was sent to the European Court of Human Rights, issued a six-month ban forbidding lawyers to visit their client after the Road Map presented by leader Ocalan.

In the course of 21 years imprisonment, leader was able to contact his family via phone on April 27^th, that was outlawed again on September 7^th, 2020 for a six-month period, and on September 30^th, 2020, it was clarified that he was forbidden access to family, up to date nothing is being known on his health.  

Kalash made clear that the isolation imposed on leader increases day after another, saying:'' serious steps must be taken in this regard, and well as others, but if we evaluate his living conditions they would be not ok presumably, in a place as the Imrali Island''.

Kalash noted that they are very concerned due to lack of information on the health of leader Ocalan, indicating to the Geneva Convention and the section relevant to the health protection of prisoners and that all necessary needs ought to be made available for leader Abdullah Ocalan. 

Kalash noted to the specific nature of the Imrali Island geographically, saying:'' staying in a place surrounded by water, entails serious troubles, especially the leader has issues relevant to respirations, sinuses and eyes, and up to 23 years he is been living in a narrow and moist place that impinges gravely on heart and all organs that creates bodily problems to which it is very urgent for him to undergo monthly medical checks at least''.  

'' leader Ocalan is at 72, since 23 years he is living in isolation that requires a strong will that is not strange to leader, but old-age affects his body'', he said.

At the end, Kalash called on the CPT to take rapid and serious steps to get acquainted with the living conditions of leader Abdullah Ocalan, saying : '' the UN ought to move in accordance with the international laws adopted and the Geneva Convention that entail medical personnel to supervise the detainees''.

L.A.

ANHA