The hunger strikes launched by political prisoners in İzmir's Aliağa Şakran Prison on February 15 demanding an end to the isolation of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan and the rights violations in prisons continues in its 50th day.

Prisoners on hunger strike are not examined by doctors and they have exceeded the critical stage. Prison administration does not provide B1 vitamin for the prisoners joining the hunger strike.

Family visits are not taking place at Şakran Prison this week after prisoners returned to their cells in order to protest the guards' harassment of them and their families during last week's visits.

Muazzez Baykan, sister of Zana Yaktın who is among the political prisoners on hunger strike in Şakran, stated that her brother has lost a lot of weight, adding: “They said that they are determined and will continue the hunger strike until their demands are met.”

Baykan stressed that pressure and torture have increased in the prison, and said “My brother Zana has lost too much weight. He could remain standing but his eyes were fixated on a single point all the time. It was as if he did not see. His under eyes and nails had gotten purple. I could barely recognize him. Despite everything, they were strong and determined. They said they would continue the hunger strike and never give up whatever the consequences. His eyes were still full of hope as he looked at us. They themselves told us that their condition has entered the critical stage. They called for solidarity from the public opinion and people with a conscience.”