The isolation on PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan continues unabated for the last 22 years as well as the hunger strike launched by prisoners on November 27 against the continued isolation and the violations of rights in prisons. 

 

Too many actions have been taken by the prisoners since then. One of these actions was staged by 23 year old Arab origin Veysi Kaya. Kaya who set his body on fire on February 9, 2006 in Adana protesting the isolation on Öcalan, lost his life on February 28. His brother Muhittin Kaya speaking about the ongoing hunger strikes and the continued isolation demanded the isolation in İmralı to be lifted at once.

 

'SOMETHING MUST BE DONE'

 

Stating that his brother has set himself on fire against the isolation on Öcalan, Kaya said: "My brother took part in the youth and free citizens studies as an Arab. One of my sisters lost her life in the Kurdish struggle as a result of a clash in Dersim back in 1996. My brother had always stood strong against injustices. As an Arab, Veysi always spoke about the injustices the Kurdish people were subjected to and the isolation on Öcalan. He always stood against it. He used to tell us about his philosophy. He always told 'something must be done against isolation'. When the news about Öcalan being poisoned came to the agenda, he ended his life in protest.

 

'THIS ACTION IS A SELF- CRITICISM'

 

Kaya said, "Veysi set himself on fire saying 'You can not blacken the sun' to break the isolation. He set himself on fire in front of Free Citizens Association. When he first regained consciousness in the hospital, he said: "I do not regret what I have done. I did this to break the isolation on Leader Apo. I would be glad if you consider this action as a self-criticism."

 

'ISOLATION MUST BE LIFTED'

 

Underlining that the isolation must be lifted to end these deaths, Kaya said: "Öcalan is the leader of the Kurds and the people of the Middle East. The whole society is under isolation in the person of Öcalan. Both Abdullah Öcalan who personally experiences the isolation very deeply for the last 22 years and the Kurdish people have paid great prices, and continue to do so. The hunger strikes in prisons is a historical responsibility in terms of breaking the isolation. Kurdish people have been resisting for years. Great prices have been paid to restore the peace. Mr. Öcalan is working for peace for the last 22 years. Isolation is immoral and unscrupulous.  Isolation does not solve problems, on the contrary, it deepens them. We want the deaths to end. We don't want mothers to cry anymore. Enough is enough. The isolation must be lifted and the doors to peace should be opened for İmralı. We have to be the voice of justice, freedom and love, taking this historical responsibility. The voice of this love is Mr. Öcalan in İmralı." 

 

 

MA / Hamdullah Kesen