The fifth group took over the rotating hunger strike launched in prisons against the isolation imposed on PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan on November 27. As the hunger strike goes onto its 22nd day, families of the prisoners are calling for the demands to be met.

 

One of the prisoners on hunger strike is Mehmet Yıldırım. Yıldırım was sentenced to 16 years with the accusations of 'being a member of a terrorist organization', 'propagandizing a terrorist organization' and 'opposing the law no 2911'. Arrested at the age 17, Yıldırım, being held in Bafra Type T Prison, participated in 4 hunger strikes in 8 years. Yıldırım who is in prison for 11 years now, went on a hunger strike for the 5th time with the third group.

 

MOTHER YILDIRIM: I WILL RESIST

 

Explaining her son's situation, Mother Hazal Yıldırım (55) drew attention to the importance of the hunger strikes. Stating that she participated in the actions in front of the prisons many times during the previous hunger strikes, Yıldırım told that she was subjected to police brutality every time she went there but she kept on resisting despite the voilence.

 

'HE GREW UP IN PRISON'

 

Stating that her son was on a hunger strike for 3 months during the hunger strike action back in 2018, Yıldırım said: "He was 17 when he was arrested and his brother was 7. He is in prison for 11 years now. His brother turned 18. He couldn't recognize his brother when we went to see him. We are ready to do all that in our power for them."

 

Drawing attention to the aim of the hunger strike, Yıldırım told that the isolation on Öcalan must be lifted and he should be able to speak to his family on the phone and be visited by them like every other prisoner. Yıldırım said: "They are resisting against the persecution in the prisons. We will continue to resist in front of the prisons. We will walk to our death without a blink for our children. They are all our children. When there are a lot of mothers there, the police hesitates to attack us. My son has 1 year 15 months in prison. I want him out, not his body."

 

THE SOLUTION IS THROUGH DIALOGUE

 

Demanding the government to chose the path of dialogue, Yıldırım said: "The solution is through talks, not death or destruction. We want solution. We want them to speak to Öcalan."

 

Underlining that her son told her that the whole Kurdish community should support the hunger strike and revolt, Yıldırım called for Peace Mothers to get together and shout out their demand for peace.

 

MA / Eylem Akdağ