AYDIN – Relatives of prisoners who have been transferred to facilities far from their hometowns say they have not been able to see their loved ones for years due to distance and travel difficulties. They are calling for urgent legal reforms to ensure the release of prisoners, emphasizing that opening prison doors would contribute to an honorable peace.

 

Following Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s Peace and Democratic Society Call on February 27, developments around the resolution of the Kurdish issue have continued. The Kurdish Freedom Movement recently announced its decision to withdraw its forces to the Media Defense Zones. 

 

At this stage, calls are growing from various parts of society urging the state to take the necessary steps. Among those calling for action are relatives of prisoners, who stress that freeing inmates would serve the cause of peace and justice.

 

Naime Adlı, mother of Enez Adlı, who was arrested in İzmir in 2016 and later transferred to Antalya S-Type Prison, is one of the many families demanding reform.

She said her son remained in İzmir for one year before being exiled to Antalya and that visiting him has been extremely difficult. She said: “Sometimes we have to return halfway because of the conditions. Transportation is a huge problem. In the beginning, we were subjected to strip searches during prison visits. We filed complaints, but they were dismissed. Despite everything, we continue our struggle.”

 

Naime Adlı called for the immediate passage of new laws to bring about peace and reunite families: “We know peace won’t come just through words — laws must be enacted. PKK has dissolved itself, burned its weapons, and withdrawn beyond the border. Now we are waiting for the state to take a step. The new integration laws should also include prisoners, as this will greatly contribute to an honorable peace. Those in prison fought for a just cause — no one goes to the mountains without reason. There are many ill prisoners; they should be released immediately. In fact, these releases should happen even without new laws. But if proper legal arrangements are made, those in the mountains will come down and join political life.” 

 

‘PRISONERS MUST BE FREED FOR AN HONOURABLE PEACE’ 

 

Müjde Dönder, sister of Feyyaz Arslan — who is currently held in Bodrum S-Type Prison — voiced similar concerns. Arslan has been imprisoned for 14 years and sentenced twice to life without parole. He previously served time in Ağrı, Erzurum, and Van before being transferred to Bodrum three years ago.

She said: “His mother hasn’t been able to see him. For a mother not to see her child is unbearable. This situation is extremely difficult for families. Traveling long distances is hard, and sometimes we have to wait for hours in the rain. Feyyaz being exiled so far away is a punishment both for him and for us.”

 

Expressing hope that the current peace process will open prison doors, Müjde Dönder concluded: “We want to experience this happiness — every mother wants to embrace her child. Our relatives are imprisoned unjustly. The laws must be passed so that our prisoners can be free. We deserve this. We want peace and freedom. My mother has been crying for 14 years; she has no tears left. My brother is denied regular phone calls and faces mistreatment inside. If we truly want an honorable peace, our prisoners must be released.”

 

MA / Ugurcan Boztas