Written question asked by Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru) on Tuesday, 14 May 2019, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 May 2019. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 May 2019 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Abdullah Öcalan

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Turkey in relation to the Kurdish hunger strikers who are campaigning for the end of the solitary confinement in which the Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan is being held on the island of Imrali in contravention of European and international law.

Answer: The British Government has raised Mr Öcalan’s case with the Turkish authorities a number of times. The Minister for Europe and the Americas raised the issue most recently with the Turkish Ambassador on 13 May. While strongly condemning the ongoing violence perpetrated by the PKK, a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK, we have encouraged the Turkish authorities to implement the recommendations made by the Committee for the Prevention of Torture following their visit to Imrali prison. In this regard, I welcome the fact that Mr Öcalan was granted access to two lawyers on 2 May. I also note the comment made by Mr Öcalan, via his lawyers, that individuals should not pursue these hunger strikes to the point of serious illness or death.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL15754
Session: 2017-19
Subjects: Prisoners Turkey Hunger strikes Kurds Solitary confinement Öcalan, Abdullah
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk