Noon Initiative calls to end leader Ocalan’s isolation

Sawsan Shoman, spokesperson for the Noon Initiative for the freedom of leader Abdullah Ocalan, stated that ambiguity still surrounds leader Ocalan’s health condition as a result of the strict isolation imposed on him in Imralı Prison, raising legitimate concern within human rights circles.

She explained that the continuation of this isolation contradicts international human rights standards, particularly regarding a prisoner’s right to communication and access to healthcare. At the same time, she noted that there is ongoing communication with parties and lawyers who meet with the leader to check on his health condition.

Regarding legal and human rights efforts, Shoman clarified that the Noon Initiative is working along two main tracks:

The first involves issuing statements and networking with women’s organizations in the Middle East and North Africa, including publishing leader Ocalan’s legal defenses and highlighting violations, despite regional tensions that have hindered some planned meetings.

The second track focuses on legal and media work to shed light on violations, especially concerning the “right to hope” principle, which emphasizes the necessity of granting prisoners—even those serving harsh sentences—a realistic opportunity to review their conditions and not be kept in permanent isolation without prospect.

On the occasion of 4 April, marking leader Ocalan’s birthday, the spokesperson described it as an important symbolic moment—not only to commemorate him personally, but also to refocus attention on his case from a humanitarian and legal perspective.

She added that, under current circumstances, the occasion becomes a platform to deliver key messages, most notably the need to end isolation, ensure transparency regarding his health condition, and affirm that justice cannot be achieved without respecting prisoners’ fundamental rights.

On ongoing Turkish policies toward the Kurdish issue and leader Ocalan’s case, she stated that this reflects deep political complexities, where a security-based approach still prevails despite calls for peace and a democratic society.

As for paths toward change, she stressed the importance of activating international legal mechanisms, expanding human rights pressure through international organizations, building global public opinion in support of fundamental rights, and promoting dialogue-based political approaches.

She confirmed that the Noon Initiative is currently working on several fronts, including systematically documenting legal and human rights violations, building cooperation networks with international organizations, launching local and global awareness campaigns, and pushing to include the issues of isolation and the “right to hope” on global human rights agendas.

In conclusion, Sawsan Shoman emphasized that the initiative will focus in the future on strengthening the international presence of the case and transforming it from a narrow political file into a comprehensive human rights issue that gains broader support.

ANHA