Jailed Kurdish leader released

Unite the union and Labour front bench MP Kate Osamor were delighted to witnessed the release of jailed Kurdish political leader Kamuran YĂĽksek in Turkey on Saturday October 8.

Kamuran YĂĽksek was arrested two weeks after returning to Turkey from the UK after a meeting in the UK parliament hosted by Kate Osamor and organised and supported by Unite and the GMB union.

The unions and MPs that took part in the meeting were deeply concerned at his sudden arrest and the fact that comments he made during the meeting were then being cited in evidence to be used against him.

The two travelled to Turkey to be present at the start of the trial in order to show their solidarity and support for the jailed leader and to hold meetings with officials of various organisations to express their view on the situation.

They met with representatives of the CHP, HDP and governing AK parties and made clear their concerns at the current situation and their outrage that Kamuran YĂĽksek was jailed under spurious and unfounded allegations. They also met with trade unions and other representatives of civil society.

Kate Osamor MP commenting on the release of Mr Yüksek said, “We are over the moon that Kamuran has been released, we never doubted his innocence of the charges and we are pleased that he is once again free to perform his legitimate democratic role.”

“We have raised our concerns at the highest level in Turkey and would not hesitate to do the same again in any similar situation. It is high time that the wider international community also engaged more actively to ensure basic rights and democratic freedoms are protected in this dangerously turbulent time in Turkey,” She added.

Simon Dubbins Unite Director of International said, “It is excellent news that this Kurdish political leader has been released from imprisonment. We are fully aware and deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation unfolding in Turkey, and the extreme repression being imposed on the Kurdish population.”

“In addition, thousands have been suspended from their jobs, detained and arrested and dozens of media outlets have been closed or taken over by the state. Trade unions and civil society are being particularly hard hit. We will be stepping up our solidarity work with all those people who wish to see democracy defended and a real and peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict in Turkey,” he added.