The hunger strike launched on November 8, 2018 under the leadership of Democratic Society Congress (DTK) Co-chair Leyla Güven demanding an end to the isolation against PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan turned into a death fast on April 30, 2019. During the hunger strike that lasted for 200 days, Zülküf Gezen (33) ended his life in Tekirdağ No. 2 F Type Prison on 17 March; Ayten Beçet (24) in Gebze Women's Closed Prison on 23 March; Zehra Sağlam (23) in Oltu T Type Closed Prison on 24 March; Medya Çınar (24) in Mardin E Type Closed Prison on 25 March; Yonca Akici in Şakran Women's Closed Prison on March 9; Siraç Yüksek in Osmaniye No. 2 T Type Closed Prison on April 2; Mahsum Pamay, in Elazig No. 1 High Security Prison on April 5.

 

As a result of the hunger strike, lawyers of Öcalan met with their client on May 2, May 22, June 12, June 18 and August 7 after 8 years. The hunger strike ended on May 26 with the call of Öcalan. Öcalan that could use his right to a phone call for the first time in April 27, 2020, was able to make a second phone call on March 25, 2021 upon concerns for his life. No one has heard of him after that for the last year.

 

 

FROM PERVARİ TO ANTEP

 

Beçet was born in Antep in 1991. Her family had to migrate to Antep from Pervari as a result of the oppression of the state. Even though she got into A faculty of Engineering, Beçet chose not to enroll and she started working at Mesopotamia Culture Center (MKM) Mersin branch. 

 

'SHE ENDED HER LIFE IN PROTEST'

 

Detained in Antep in 2008, Beçet was arrested with the accusation of 'being a member of a terrorist organisation' and sent to Adana Karataş Prison. Being held there for 3 months 10 days, Beçet was released at the first trial. Beçet who was taken to hospital as a result of her illness in 2011, was detained at the hospital and sent back to Karataş prison with the accusation of 'being a member of a terrorist organisation'. Being held in prison for 2 years, Beçet was released after 2 years. Sentenced to 9 years in prison by the Adana 6th High Criminal Court, Beçet was arrested again after a year. Beçet ended her life in Gebze Women's Closed Prison on March 23, protesting the isolation in İmralı Prison.

 

SHE WAS LAID TO REST UNDER POLICE BLOCKADE

 

Beçet's body was taken to the İstanbul Forensic Medicine Institude from the prison. The police who called her family told them to get her body. The family then took off from Antep to İstanbul. However the police refused the release her body and told that the body will be taken to Antep with a plane with the order of İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The family who was in Ankara at the time, turned back to Antep. Police did not allow a funeral ceremony in Antep and allowed 5 family members to attend the funeral which was held under police blockade.

 

Beçet left a letter explaining her action. The letter was read at İstanbul Newroz celebrations participated by hundreds of thousands of people in Bakırköy.

 

'TO BREAK THE ISOLATION..'

 

Beçet said the following in her letter: "When I was thinking about how to be an answer to this process, Zülküf Gezen showed me that nothing could stand in the way of a person who wants to liberate themself and break the isolation. I joined this move with the promise I gave to the Leader and the awareness of this. I personally included all the Kurdish people, the people of Botan and the people of the metropol in this stronger and more conscious move. They should raise their voices even louder in order to be purified and break the isolation in the person of Heval (Comrade) Zülküf. This is the first time I feel so free to take a step. With the excitement of meeting with the leadership with my brain and soul, with a more meaningful and honorable life, with the belief of being the answer to the process by stepping up this resistance that my commander Heval Zülküf Gezen left for us.

 

Bijî berxwedana zindana

 

Down with international conspiracy and isolation

 

Revolutionary greetings and respects…

 

Ayten Becet”

 

The family of Beçet spoke to Mesopotamia Agency on the third anniversary of the death of Ayten Beşet who ended her life in March 23, 2019.

 

'SHE CRIED BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE HUNGER STRIKE'

 

Stating that she heard her daughter died from her husband Sabri Beçet, Fatma Beçet said told that she suffered even more with the torture on her daughter's body. Underlining that she was always proud of her daughter, mother Beçet told about the phone call she made with her daughter one day prior to her death: "She told me it was very hard on her that she could not go on a hunger strike while her comrades are on hunger strike. She said she cried for three whole days because of this. She told me that we should support them in their pursuit for peace. She asked me why didn't we took to the streets and demand peace and said, "I will sacrifice myself for Kurdistan if we can't achieve peace'.She told me that she will not be able to call us for the next 10-20 days. I didn't know she was saying goodbye to us. It turned out to be our last conversation. We heard she fell martyr the next day."

 

'WE WANT PEACE'

 

Referring to the isolation against PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan and the increasing rights violations in prisons, Beçet said: “Everyone should raise their voices together and people should not die in prisons anymore. The Kurds must join hands. We want peace, we do not want violence and war. Let this war end. Enough is enough. I will protect my daughter's legacy and struggle until the last drop of my blood."

 

Sabri Beçet, father of Ayten Beçet told that he remembers her with her beautiful laugh, and said that her daughter was a good friend. Underlining that he will always be proud of her daughter and her struggle, Beçet said: "Her friends are no different than her for us. We want a dignified life. Mothers always suffered in these lands. This suffering needs to come to an end." Underlining that what happened at the funeral was a crime against humanity, Beçet pointed out that the isolation on Öcalan is unacceptable."

 

 

MA / Emrullah Acar