An indefinite-alternating hunger strike was launched in Turkish prisons on November 27 in order to protest the isolation of Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has been held in Imrali High Security F-Type Closed Prison for 22 years, and the increasing violations of rights in prisons. The massive hunger strike has been taken over by the 29th group on day 142.

Prisoners on hunger strikes in Urfa said that they will continue their protest until their demands are met. Lawyer Ayşe Şehriban Demirel, member of the Lawyers Association for Freedom (ÖHD), said that hunger strikers are put under pressure with disciplinary penalties.

The lawyer said: "Prisoners are at high risk of getting Covid-19. Necessary measures are not taken to prevent the virus from spreading. Particular attention should be paid to hygiene and health conditions. During this process, excuses are made to avoid referring prisoners to hospital, but also to avoid responding to their petitions or respecting their rights to communication. Prison administrations do not meet many of the prisoners’ requests by putting forward pandemic conditions.”