MÊRDÎN - Relatives of prisoners in Mêrdîn (Mardin) stated that a real peace cannot be established without the physical freedom of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan and called on the Commission established in the Parliament.

 

While the "Peace and Democratic Society Process" initiated by Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan continues, violations of rights to health, housing, security and social rights continue in prisons.  Relatives of prisoners in Mêrdîn stated that political prisoners must be physically liberated in order for peace to be socialised and emphasised that it will not be possible to talk about peace without the physical liberation of Abdullah Öcalan. 

 

Abdüsselam Özbahçeçi, brother of Doğan Özbahçeçi, who has been imprisoned in Kırıkkale F Type Prison for 11 years, stated that their expectation from the Peace and Democratic Society Process is the release of prisoners. 

 

"We need to be the voice of the prisons outside. It will not be possible to talk about peace in an environment where political prisoners are not released. Sick prisoners must be released as soon as possible. Legal arrangements should be made on this issue as soon as possible," he said. 

 

'ILL PRISONERS MUST BE RELEASED'

 

Şehmus Poyraz (65), the father of Önder Poyraz, a seriously ill prisoner held in Elazığ T-Type Closed Prison, said that his son is paralysed and can go to visits with a wheelchair. Father Poyraz said that ill prisoners were not released despite the talk of a solution and said: "We expect all political prisoners, especially sick prisoners, to be released. We want brotherhood and equality. Devlet Bahceli should stand by his words"

 

'NO PEACE WITHOUT ÖCALAN'

 

Hüznügül Kalkan (55), the mother of Emrullah Kalkan, who is being held in Erzurum Dumlu High Security Closed Prison No. 1, emphasised that Abdullah Öcalan should regain his physical freedom as soon as possible and stressed: "The process has started and we expect good developments. All political prisoners should be released. We cannot talk about a real peace without the release of political prisoners. First of all, Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan must be physically among us."

 

Zeynep Demirtaş, mother of Mehmet Şerif Demirtaş, who has been imprisoned in Adana Suluca L-Type Closed Prison for 10 years, emphasised that they want peace and the way to achieve this is the freedom of political prisoners. Zeynep Demirtaş said: "A commission has been established in the Parliament, this commission should make a regulation for political prisoners as soon as possible." 

 

 

Besna Günay, the mother of Abdullah Günay, a 27-year prisoner in Antalya L Type Closed Prison, said that they always wanted peace despite everything, but the state did not take any steps. 

 

Stating that Abdullah Öcalan's freedom is linked to the freedom of political prisoners, Besna Günay concluded: "No one will be free until Mr Öcalan is free. Devlet Bahçeli says 'We will bring peace to the world'. They should start from Turkey first. The commission in the Parliament should work for peace and equality. Prisons should be emptied as soon as possible. We have always said peace until today and we will continue to do so."

 

MA / Emrullah Acar