The Norwegian Council for the rights of the Kurds (RKR) has issued a statement to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs within the Norwegian Parliament, expressing deep concern about the health of Kurd leader Abdullah Öcalan, right. Hair samples smuggled out of prison show dramatically high levels of chromium and strontium. (29-MAR-07)

Based on RKR´s statement, this article has been translated and prepared for publication here by HRHF / Niels Jacob Harbitz. 
 
In translation, RKR´s statement reads:
The Norwegian Council for the Rights of the Kurds, RKR, is seriously concerned about  Abdullah Öcalan´s state of health after hair samples smuggled out of prison have shown dramatically increased levels of the poisonous substances chromium and strontium. If the outcome of this alleged emergency is that Öcalan passes away, that will imply a dramatic deterioration of the human rights situation in Turkey. Such an outcome will, for the foreseeable future jeopardize the possibility of finding a peaceful, political solution to the country´s ´Kurdish problem´. It is totally unacceptable that a state executes a prisoner, while in the state´s custody, and without any legal decision to do so. RKR encourages Norwegian foreign authorities and the Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs within the Parliament to prioritize this case, and see to it that a neutral medical team is given access to examine Öcalan´s state of health. If necessary, such a team must have permission to prevent a fatal outcome to the emergency that has now been documented (see below). RKR has added its name to the list of signatories to the below petition.

On behalf of RKR,

Vidar Birkeland
Chairman of the Board

Petition initiated by Norwegian lawyer:
During week 9 (26 February – 4 March), the results of investigations of hair samples from the imprisoned Kurd leader Abdullah Öcalan were released. These results, of laboratory analyses, carried out by recognised researchers in laboratories of an equal standing, and with total professional integrity, clearly suggest that Öcalan is subjected to poisoning. Öcalan has been imprisoned and isolated on the Imrali island since February 1999. During these more than eight years, his health has gradually deteriorated. Turkish authorities claim that Öcalan´s health is under constant monitoring and that he has no significant problems. Öcalan´s lawyers, on the other hand, disagree, and refer now to the hair samples that have been smuggled out of prison, that show unnaturally high levels of chromium and strontium, a clear indication of poisoning

After the arrest of Öcalan, there was sincere fear that he would be sentenced to death. Pressure from Europe prevented that. Now, it looks as if he is being executed anyway. The results of he analyses are alarming. Norway must demand that Öcalan is examined by independent, international expertise. On these grounds, the undersigned asks the Minister of Foreign Affairs to put pressure on Turkish authorities to allow such an examination of Öcalan, and that the Foreign Minister himself raises this case in the Council of Europe and its subordinated bodies to make sure independent examinations of Öcalan are permitted and will actually take place. Please sign this petition, an send it like an email to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre at umin@mfa.no.

Bent Endresen
Lawyer


Press release from Öcalan´s international team of lawyers:
To members of the press,

For the first time, as the lawyers of Mr Abdullah OCALAN from Turkey and Italy, we shall reveal the results of the work of the last three months to the public with this press conference.

The labaratory tests made on Mr OCALAN’s hair samples have shown that much higher than normal levels of Strontium and Chromium elements are present. Due to security reasons this investigation has been carried out without disclosing the identity of the person. The results of the labaratory test results have been identified to represent chronic intoxication by the expert labaratory.

One week ago these results have been shared with both the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe and the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Degrading and Ill-treatment (CPT). They have been requested to intervene in the matter. As yet no visual reaction can be noted however we are of the firm belief and expect that these institutions shall react with sensitivity.

We, as the lawyers of Mr Ocalan, have grave concerns over the results of the samples which were taken under extremely difficult conditions. As yet, we do not have any knowledge as to what the source of these elements which are at an alarming level stem from, for what period these have existed at this level and what effects it has had on our client. However we do believe that our client’s life is under a serious and a grave risk. We do believe that the scientific results at hand is enough to allege this. Under the present circumstances we are only able to shed light onto this dimension of the truth. It is utterly important that the results attained be investigated by an independent and international delegation of experts and a new analysis should be held under better conditions so that the situation can be completely clarified. However, we do insist that such an investigation must be held immediately and urgently.

Mr Ocalan’s security of life and health are under the responsibility of the government of the Republic of Turkey. Since 15 February 1999, Mr Ocalan is being kept at the Imrali Sole Inmate Closed Prison which is a 5 mile militarily prohibited area and has a high security prison status. Before being imprisoned at the Imrali Island Prison Mr Ocalan did not have any serious health problems. However in the aftermath his health problems have increased and have been aggravated. The necessary national and international institutions and NGO’s together with the public opinion and the officials in Turkey have been repeatedly informed of the health problems of our client. However we regret to inform you that the national and international health organisations have not displayed a serious and a responsible approach towards such a humanitarian problem. The officials in Turkey, in response, have continually stated that he is kept under a continuous health check and that there are no serious health problems. However the results attained and as tabled before you show that the official information is not true and trustable. Therefore uttermostly we call on the Government officials of Turkey to act responsibly in the face of these scientific results and expect that they show every ease to a delegation of international experts to make the necessary investigations at the Imrali Island Prison.

We call upon the United Nations, Council of Europe, the CPT and all the relative institutions. We request that an international independent delegation of scientific experts immediately go to the Imrali Closed Island Prison and make a thorough health investigation and analysis on our client. We shall also continue to pursue the matter and shall try all legal venues.

Yours Sincerely,
On behalf of the Lawyers from Italy and Turkey
Lawyer Mahmut Sakar, March 2007

The declaration from the French medical doctor and laboratory