Sinn Féin MP Orfhlaith Begley has said that it is wrong and unjustifiable that the Turkish administration continues to try and oppress progressive and Kurdish voices.
“Sinn Féin prides itself as a party of international solidarity. We know from our own political struggle the value and strength that international solidarity can provide," the West Tyrone MP.
The MP went on to add that “I utterly condemn the treatment of progressive and Kurdish forces by the Turkish administration and would encourage the international community to stand up to the Turkish state in the face of such repression.
“As a party we have always held the cause of the Kurdish people close to us – and arguably that solidarity has never been more needed.
“We cannot offer prescriptive solutions. It will be for the Kurds and progressive elements within Turkish society to decide the path forward.
“To facilitate this, we need to see the freedom of Ocalan.
“We are deeply concerned that Ocalan's family and lawyers have not been able to visit him since April 2015 - and there is no public information on his health and wellbeing – his freedom is critical to building lasting peace and stability."
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