“The Only Intolerable Reality Is Knowing That You Are Still Being Held In Prison”
French philosopher Catherine Malabou sent a letter to the Kurdish Leader Abdullah Ocalan, highlighting what she described as his “wise” and “courageous” decision.
The letter, which was delivered to the İmrali Delegation for transmission to the Kurdish leader, who has been incarcerated in Imrali Island Prison since 1999, reads:
Many of us, in Turkey and around the world, who support the dignity, freedom, and recognition of the Kurdish people, are deeply pleased to know that a process has truly begun to grant civil rights to former members of the PKK. This latest development is a great victory, achieved thanks to your wise and courageous decision to engage in a peaceful political process.
Democracy must prevail whenever and wherever it is possible. In France, many people like myself read your works and are deeply interested in the model of political organization that you have conceived and advocated—democratic confederalism. The only intolerable reality is knowing that you are still being held in prison. I hope this inhumane situation will come to an end soon. After all these years, you deserve to live as a free person; you unquestionably deserve your freedom. In the meantime, keep up your courage, dear ‘Apo.’