Yüksel Koç issued a written statement, on behalf of the Kurdish Democratic Society Congress (KCDK-E) Co-presidency, about the health status of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) co-chair and HDP MP Leyla Güven.

Güven has been on hunger strike since 8 November to demand the end of the isolation against Abdullah Öcalan.

The statement said: “The AKP-MHP fascism that united in an alliance of massacre and destruction against Kurds, continues in full course with its full-scale destruction and intimidation policy against the democratic and opposition circles in Turkey. Cizre, Sur, Nusaybin and other places in Northern Kurdistan, witnessed horrible massacres during the AKP ruling. As we enter the local election process the AKP is moving its policy of destruction to a different dimension.

The most important pillar of these extermination policies is the isolation against the Leader Apo and the pressures on thousands of freedom prisoners. Isolation against Leader Apo is aimed at freedom, democracy and human values. This is why, to break the isolation is to prevent and eliminate the policies of slaughter, destruction and fascism.

Resistance will break the silence

The statement continued: “In order to put an end to these policies, Leyla Güven launched a historic action. This action spread to prisons, and grew further in Hewler, Strasbourg and Wales. This action, a spreading wave around the world, achieved an awakening by appealing directly to the conscience of humanity. The solidarity expressed in Kurdistan, Turkey and the world became a part of this resistance. The other part, however is that belonging to the CPT and the Council of Europe, that remain silent. We know that silence is the result of international interests. But we need to know that we will break this silence with our resistance.”

We will do what it takes

The statement added: “Today, the people who have embraced Leyla Güven, who has been on hunger strike for 72 days, will force international institutions to perform their duties and prevent an undesirable situation.

Leyla Güven's situation is very critical. It is crucial to act now, before it's too late. In order to prevent any suffering, we must do whatever we can to ensure that Leyla Güven’s and the hunger strikers’ demand is met.”

Let’s take to the streets

The statement ends with the following call: “According to the latest information we have, Leyla Güven's health condition is critical. Her life is in danger. No one should stay at home: we must take to the streets.

As KCDK-E, we call upon our people and friends in Europe, Japan, Canada, Australia, Russia and every region of the world to join the voice of Leyla Güven and mobilize the public opinion with the spirit of resistance”.