DEM Party delegation meets Turkey’s Justice Minister to address Öcalan’s isolation and prison conditions

ANKARA — A delegation from Turkey’s Peoples’ Equality and Democratic Party (Halkların Eşitlik ve Demokrasi Partisi, DEM Party) met with Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç in Ankara on Thursday to address pressing issues, with the detention conditions of imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan as the focal point of the discussion.

The delegation expressed concerns over Öcalan’s prolonged solitary confinement in İmralı Prison, emphasizing the urgency of addressing his isolation. MP Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit (DEM Party) stated in a press briefing after the meeting that Öcalan’s continued isolation hampers his ability to contribute to potential peace initiatives. She stressed the need for immediate measures to improve his conditions, enabling his participation in Turkey’s political and reconciliation efforts.

The delegation also brought attention to the plight of sick prisoners, particularly those whose health worsened during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. They highlighted the importance of fair and consistent implementation of conditional release laws and ensuring equitable treatment for all inmates, including political detainees.

Both sides agreed to maintain open dialogue on the issues discussed. The DEM Party delegation expressed optimism that these talks could lead to tangible improvements in the conditions of political prisoners, particularly Öcalan, and foster progress toward comprehensive legal reforms promoting justice and equality in Turkey.