AMED – Releasing from prison after 33 years Deniz Güzel visited his brother’s grave and stated: “Everyone must do their part for peace and democracy. The commission must also fulfill its responsibility and truly understand the demands.”
Deniz Güzel was released from Bolu F-Type High-Security Closed Prison on August 21 after serving 33 years. Arrested in 1992 in Çewlig (Bingöl), his release had been delayed twice by the Prison Administration and Observation Board due to disciplinary penalties and his refusal to accept the imposition of "remorse." As a result, he was released 3 years and 4 days after completing his sentence.
The first place Güzel visited upon his release was the grave of his brother, Yavuz Güzel, who died during the “You cannot darken our Sun” protest on November 30, 1999, in Bartın Prison. The grave is located in Yeniköy Cemetery.
RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Güzel emphasized that the conditions in Bolu Prison amounted to isolation, particularly noting arbitrary restrictions on books, especially those in Kurdish. Highlighting the harsher conditions faced by inmates serving life sentences, he said: “The condition of seriously ill prisoners is dire; many are on the brink of death. These rights violations in prisons must come to an end.”
VISITING HIS BROTHER’S GRAVE
After his release, Güzel visited the grave of his brother Yavuz and shared the words from one of his letters: “Blessed are those who embrace peace and democracy; blessed are those who bring about change and transformation.”
He added: “These words speak to our time. By transforming and changing ourselves, we will bring the peace we long for. We will fight for it. There is nothing more beautiful than desiring peace and a democratic society.”
Referring to the process initiated by Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan, Güzel continued: “On February 27, this process was meaningfully received in prison. The process of understanding transitioned into a new phase with its disruption. After July 11, the entirety of the process became clear. This is a process initiated by the Leader (Abdullah Öcalan). His call had an impact. The will expressed by the process is evident. Our people and the prisoners are clear in their stance. It is up to us to understand. We are fulfilling the requirements of this call. With the right understanding and correct practice, we can move this process forward. This also applies to state officials. Everyone must declare their position. There is a way in which the process should be conducted. Everyone must do their part for peace and democracy. The commission must also fulfill its responsibility and truly understand the demands.”
MA / Fethi Balaman