Kurdistan National Congress (KNK)

URGENT CALL TO THE EU-INSTITUTIONS, PRESS & PUBLIC

KURDISH PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE WELL-BEING OF KURDISH PEOPLE’S LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN

There is  worrying news surrounding the health of the Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan. For two days, news has been spreading on social media that Mr Ocalan has died in prison. We as the Kurdish people are deeply concerned about Mr Ocalan’s life.

Recent rumour and discussion in the Turkish media as to whether he is still alive has created grave concerns amongst the Kurds in Turkey, Middle East and Europe including the EU.

Everyone is aware of our people’s and its party’s sensitivities regarding the health and life of Mr Ocalan. With this in mind, it is imperative that the news is not falsified. The Statements of the State Prosecutor of Bursa are not in any way sufficient.

It is a fundamental right of his family, his legal representatives and the public to be informed of Mr Ocalan’s health.

For this reason, Mr Ocalan must urgently be allowed a visit from his lawyers and family.   It is not possible for our people to believe an unofficial statement from the State Prosecutor of Bursa. We will continue to be concerned until we receive news of Mr Ocalan from a reliable source.

Erdogan’s AKP Government is directly responsible for the security and health of Ocalan and any harm that may be suffered by him. His lawyers and family have the right to receive direct information about his situation.

  • We call on the Committee for Prevention of Torture (CPT) to intervene to ensure that the necessary information needed in this situation is obtained.
  • We call on all Kurdish and democratic groups to take action and demand an explanation as to Ocalan’s health and security situation.
  • We call on the international forces which handed Ocalan over to Turkey on 15thFebruary 1999 to intervene in the name of humanity and in the light of their collective responsibility for his captivity and later trial which was found to be unfair and his subsequent psychological torture, under European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR).