For Öcalan, ‘Nelson Mandela rules’ are a distant dream

The UN’s expanded guidelines for the protection of prisoners are
known as the ‘Nelson Mandela laws’, in honour of the celebrated
political prisoner. They enshrine crucial rights as to prisoners’
inherent dignity and value, prohibiting torture, ill-treatment, and
various forms of degradation and restraint, notably restricting the
use of solitary confinement, to Mandela “the most forbidding aspect
of prison life.” In Öcalan’s case, it is clear these guidelines are
not being observed.