PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan was prevented from meeting with his family and lawyers once again from 18 June.

 

Following the hunger strike and death fast resistance, the doors of Imralı were opened. Öcalan's lawyers Rezan Sarıca and Newroz Uysal met with their client on 2 and 22 May, and then again on 12 and 18 June after 8 years of isolation.

 

Lawyers have made 10 applications since 18 June none of which was answered to. This is being interpreted as a new cycle of isolation.

 

Speaking to the ANF, HDP Şırnak MP Hasan Özgüneş reminded that isolation has been implemented for 20 years without interruption.

 

Özgüneş underlined that the isolation implemented in the last 5 years had reached a very heavy dimensions. "We have witnessed - he said - a return to the worst years, the '80s when human rights violations were carried out on a daily basis, there were hunger strikes and torture and persecution were at the highest levels. In the last period, the softening of the isolation was the result of this resistance. The state was forced to take a step back."

 

Özgüneş stated that the state adopted an opportunistic approach. "Right before the Istanbul elections, the AKP was hoping to hold on to Istanbul even if by very few votes. They thought that just smiling at Kurds would be enough to be rewarded. The AKP has actually fooled itself by thinking that it could get away with years of oppression and isolation just like that, just saying to Kurds that it was doing them a favour."

 

Özgüneş stated that the AKP and MHP started to re-implement isolation.

 

"We will follow and see the process ahead. At the moment, families and lawyers are prevented from seeing Mr Öcalan and the other prisoners in Imrali. Will this turn into a permanent isolation as before, or will they use a kind of partial intimidation? We will see. The AKP government is very vindictive and vengeful. This situation unfortunately will bring with it chaos and tension. Therefore, the government should be more sensitive in its approach. The Kurds and their friends, even those with conscience, want this, they want Öcalan to be released."

 

Özgüneş reminded that Öcalan "has a project. Therefore, the government should listen to his projects." 

 

The HDP and democratic society organizations, said Özgüneş, are working to "end the conflict, to end war. We are working to create opportunities and conditions for peace and dialogue."