The indefinite non-rotating hunger strike launched in prisons on November 27 to protest the isolation against PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan and the increasing violations of rights, continues on its 118th day.

 

Members of the Peace Mothers Initiative Hatice Ay, Kadriye Özgan and Münibe Koç called for solidarity with the hunger strike action. Saying that the demands of the detainees should be met, Hatice Ay said, “For nearly four months, political prisoners are hunger striking in prisons. What is happening in prisons is a crime against humanity. The government and state officials should immediately meet with the hunger strikers and meet their demands."

  

'GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTING A CRIME'  

 

Underlining the importance of a unified struggle among Kurds, Ay sai: "We continue to demand peace despite of everything that was done to Kurds in this country. We want peace and fraternity. We don't want anyone to die. Kurds must inite in all four parts of Kurdistan. We can't achieve peace if we don't unite. The government is committing a crime. Isolation and the things done to the political prisoners is a crime. We never deprived anyone of their freedom and their language or their lands. What do they want from the Kurds? We just want to live in our homeland. Kurds will never submit to this tyranny and you can not finish us by killing us."

 

KURDS MUST RISE UP

 

Underlining that the isolation in İmralı is a crime against humanity, Kadriye Özgan said: "The Kurdish people should rise up for Öcalan. Communication with his family and lawyers must be ensured." Underlining the importance of solidarity with the hunger strikers, Özgan said: "We don't want our people dying in prisons. We don't want tears in the eyes of the Kurdish mothers. The government must meet the demands."

 

Addressing the government and the Ministry of Justice, Özgan said: "With the lifting of the isolation imposed on Öcalan, the isolation on all of the oppressed people will have been lifted. I am not afraid to demand peace. They are creating difficulties for the most basic rights of the Kurds. We are concerned about the health of Öcalan."

 

Emphasizing that all Kurds are isolated in the person of Öcalan, Münibe Koç said: "Hunger striking is a last resort. The government must open the communication channels and develop solutions. Ensure communication with Öcalan. Whatever the government does, the Kurds will not give up on their democratic rights. Kurds will not give up on their cause."