AMED - MED TUHAD-FED Co-Chair Kerem Canpolat stated that all segments of society have a responsibility for the solution of the Kurdish issue and the lifting of the isolation of Imrali and said: "Everyone must take the responsibility." 

 

The global campaign launched on October 10, 2023 demanding the lifting of the isolation of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, his physical freedom and the solution of the Kurdish issue continues with various actions and events. 

 

Prisoners, who started a hunger strike on November 27, 2023 as part of the campaign, took their action to a different phase on April 4. Prisoners began boycotting the courts and refusing to make phone calls and family visits. Prisoners made a statement that they ended their action as of July 4.  

 

'ACTION MUST BE TAKEN AS CRITICISM'

 

Kerem Canpolat, Co-Chair of the Federation of MED Prisoners' Families Legal and Solidarity Associations (MED TUHAD-FED), evaluated the prisoners' protests and demands. Canpolat said that prisoners shape the process with their actions during critical periods. Canpolat noted that the prisoners drew attention to the conditions in which Abdullah Öcalan lives with their latest action and that they achieved success in this sense. 

 

Canpolat said that the boycott of phone calls and family visits sent a message to the state: "Whether you punish us or make our conditions worse, we will not give up our ideals and our demand for peace and democracy." 

 

Canpolat noted that the action also carried a message to all segments of society. Canpolat said: "For the democracy and law of this country, no more duty should fall on the prisoners. This duty should fall on us. There is a deficiency in this regard, which is why they resorted to such an action. When there is a lot of activism outside, there is no work for the prison in this sense. Kurdish politics, democratic institutions in Turkey and all those who want democracy should perceive this as a criticism."

 

'SOLUTION TABLE' EMPHASIZED

 

Recalling the period when Abdullah Öcalan was in charge, Canpolat said: "During this period, there was a tremendous relief in Turkey both psychologically and economically. There was also a relief in terms of democracy. All our insistence right now is for this to come back. For a second peace process to begin, for a more solid table to be set up and for all interlocutors to come together around this table and stop the current bad trend."

 

PROTESTS WILL CONTINUE

 

Canpolat said that the protests will continue for a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue and called for solidarity with all those who want democracy to end the isolation of PKK Leader Öcalan. Canpolat stated that they want to make everyone a partner in their protests and in this context they want to visit all institutions in Turkey. Canpolat said: "For the peace of the country, everyone needs to take a hand in some way." 

 

Canpolat underlined the need to put a "stop" to this course of events. Canpolat addressed all segments in Kurdistan and Turkey and said: "Let's multiply together. Let's take a step forward to establish democracy and the rule of law in this country." 

 

MA / Rukiye Adıgüzel