PKK and PJAK prisoners have suspended their hunger strike. Following an appeal to stop their protest by the DTK (Democratic Society Congress), on Monday, today the prisoners have decided to suspend their hunger strike.

The hunger strike had started on 7 April in the prisons both in Turkey and Iran and had taken several shapes, from a fast taken in turns to an indefinite fast.

Deniz Kaya, speaking on behalf on the prisoners reiterated the 10 demands that had been disclosed previously for the solution:

- Preparation of a democratic constitution to recognize the Kurdish identity as well,

- Development of the "on-site management system" which restricts the authorities of central government across the country,

- Recognition of the Kurdish people’s democratic political will and giving them the right for self-governance,

- Removal of all obstacles in front of the Kurdish culture; right for free organization; a precise ensuring of the freedom of expression and the freedom of press and publication,

- Withdrawal of the police force, special teams and special warfare units deployed in Kurdistan, ending of the village-guard system on the basis of taking measures, enabling Kurds to ensure the own internal safety with self-defense forces,

- Release of all political prisoners and detainees including Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Ocalan,

- Constitutional guarantee for all ethnic groups and religions,

- Establishment of a Justice and Truth Commission to investigate the dirty events and murders during the dirty war conducted in the last 30 years,

- Taking all measures and reimbursement of the losses for the return of citizens whose villages were burnt down and destroyed,

- Ending of discriminatory policies to overcome the economic imbalance, poverty and unemployment and giving priority to Kurdistan in terms of investments.

Translation: Berna Ozgencil