After 43 months of absolute lack of communication, Asrın Law Office made a statement following the visit of Ömer Öcalan, Urfa (Riha) MP of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), to Imralı on 23 October.
The statement said: “Our client, Mr. Abdullah Öcalan, and his nephew, Mr. Ömer Öcalan, had a meeting on Wednesday as part of a family visit. This visit, which took place 4 and a half years after the last family visit (3 March 2020), should not be single and limited like the previous ones, and its continuity should be ensured. Ensuring that Mr. Abdullah Öcalan, Mr. Hamili Yıldırım, Mr. Ömer Hayri Konar and Mr. Veysi Aktaş receive visits from lawyers and families regularly as it is a requirement of the constitution, domestic law as well as international agreements. Again, holding regular meetings with Mr. Öcalan, who has the theoretical and practical power to move the process from the ground of conflict and violence to the legal and political ground, will pave the way for the solution of political and social problems in Turkey and the region on the basis of dialogue, peace and democratic consensus. In this context, it is necessary to put an end to the systematic violations of rights in Imralı, to ensure that the right to visits with families as well as lawyers (no lawyer visits have been allowed since 7 August 2019) is implemented in accordance with the law. We reiterate the necessity of ensuring this.”
