A press conference held at DBP (Democratic Regions' Party) provincial branch office before the launch of the hunger strike was attended by HDP İzmir deputies Müslüm Doğan and Ertuğrul Kürkçü, Amed MP Sibel Yiğitalp and DBP-HDP provincial administrations who wore white shirts with a "No to isolation in prisons" and "Hunger strikers in prisons on verge of death" writing on them.

Speaking here, HDP İzmir MP Ertuğrul Kürkçü stressed that the hunger strike in prisons has entered a critical stage. Recalling his visit together with HDP MP Sibel Yiğitalp to Şakran Prison two days ago, Kürkçü said the prison administration did not engage in any efforts with regards to answering the demands of prisoners.

Kürkçü also recalled that prisoners went on hunger strike for various reasons which include reduction of visitation duration, constraint of phone talks to once in 15 days, monitoring of visitors by inspectors, denial of access to various legal newspapers, cell confinements, assaults and violence. Kürkçü said prisoners on hunger strike also had a political demand; which is an end to the aggravated isolation on Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan.

Kürkçü called on authorities to answer the demands of prisoners, warning that those on hunger strike for 52 days now are on the verge of crossing the line between life and death. Kürkçü called on the Minister of Justice and doctors to be a close follower of the situation in prisons.

Peace Mothers Assembly member Medine Kaymaz spoke on behalf of the hunger strike participants, saying the followings; "We do not want a death to occur in prisons. Erdoğan became president but he continues his cruelty. Now that we do not accept his atrocities, how could we expect those in prison to accept it? We will never give up on our children. We stand by their resistance and we salute their struggle."

The alternate hunger strike in DBP İzmir office is joined by 15 people including HDP administrations. Another group will take over the hunger strike two days later.

In the meantime, two more female prisoners, Ebru Güden and Hafize Toprak, have gone on hunger strike in Şakran Prison with reports suggesting that the prison manager continues uttering threats against the inmates.