The prison period of Kurdish businessman Hüseyin Baybaşin, which lasted more than thirty years, and his recent severe isolation, raise serious human rights concerns. His contact with his family and close circle was restricted, his right to telephone was denied, and not enough information was shared about his conditions; It seems that it has caused deep concern for his family, loved ones and the public. Although it is stated that a person can meet with his lawyer, a person is largely isolated from the outside world, his social contacts are severely limited and the public cannot receive transparent information about the process; It raises serious questions in terms of universal law principles. Human rights are not just for free people; It applies to people in prison, that is, to all people.
It is known that Hüseyin Baybaşin has been committed to the ideals of Kurdistan's independence for years, that he did not step back from his political thoughts and that he openly defended these views throughout his life. One of the important concerns expressed by the public and among his loved ones is that the severe isolation conditions imposed on him today may be related not only to legal but also political motives. Especially when the dark events against Kurdish business people and politicians in the past are remembered, these concerns become even stronger in a significant part of the society. Even the perception that a person is targeted because of his thoughts, identity or political views is a situation that must be taken seriously in democratic societies.
Today, Hüseyin Baybaşin is approximately 70 years old and has spent more than thirty years of his life in prison. The public and every conscientious person knows that such long-term imprisonment, especially when combined with advanced age and severe isolation conditions, creates serious humanitarian and moral problems. At this point, reacting to this unacceptable situation requires not only a moral but also a conscientious attitude. There are growing legitimate concerns among the public that this situation is not just a matter of security or punishment, but has turned into a form of "continuous punishment" and "silent attrition" over time. From a human rights perspective and modern legal principles, the purpose of punishment is not only to restrict freedom; To enforce the law by protecting human dignity and rights under all circumstances. It is not acceptable for anyone with a conscience to keep an elderly person in harsh conditions for decades and then be subjected to even harsher isolation practices.
The Netherlands is a state that has had to face colonialism, slavery and severe human rights violations in the past. History and sociology remind states not only of their successes, but also of the mistakes they made and the serious violations they committed. Today, the Netherlands defines itself as a modern country built on the values of the rule of law, democracy and human rights. The Netherlands has also shown the virtue of apologizing for the crimes committed by their state in the past. This being the case, the most important lesson to be learned from the past is this: In order not to be in a position to apologize again in the world of the future, states must know that human dignity and fundamental rights today will not fall behind any political debate, any security policy and any state interest. The real power of the rule of law; It emerges from its ability to protect human rights even in the most controversial, difficult and problematic cases.
On this occasion, we call on the public, democratic mass organizations, human rights defenders, legal circles and everyone with conscience: Transparent information sharing regarding Hüseyin Baybaşin's situation should be ensured, his access to legal rights should be guaranteed and the process should be monitored independently, and all legal rights of Hüseyin Baybaşin should be protected. In addition, the United Nations Committee for the Prevention of Torture, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Parliament and relevant human rights institutions should carefully examine these concerns expressed in public and carry out the necessary observation processes. Human rights gain their true meaning only when they can be protected in the most difficult moments and in the most controversial cases.
On Behalf of Yekitiya Devlete Kurdistan
Barzan Bayhan