The rotating hunger strike launched by PKK and PAJK prisoners on 27 November as part of the "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, a Political Solution to the Kurdish Question" campaign ended on 4 April. Since 4 April, the prisoners have been boycotting the courts as well as family visits and phone calls.

‘Isolation of Öcalan is an obstacle to a democratic solution and social peace’

Speaking to ANF, DEM Party Bingöl MP Ömer Faruk Hülakü stated that the isolation imposed on Abdullah Öcalan has led the politics in Turkey to a complete deadlock and said, "The only way out of this deadlock is the elimination of the isolation system in İmralı Island." Stating that Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan is the main actor who will contribute to the establishment of an environment of democracy and peace, Hülakü said: "He is the most important interlocutor for the solution of the Kurdish question and social peace. The absolute isolation imposed on Mr Öcalan is nothing but an obstacle to a democratic solution and social peace."

Pointing out that isolation is contrary to the laws of Turkey and international law, Hülakü said that there is neither humanitarian nor legal explanation for this unlawful practice. Stating that with the absolute isolation imposed on Abdullah Öcalan, an entire geography is kept under isolation, Hülakü continued: "The AKP-MHP government has created a political atmosphere that deepens social polarisation and racism. They lack the policy, programme and intention to manage and maintain a peaceful environment. Mr Öcalan, the address of democratic solution and peace, is kept under isolation in order to block the way for democratic solution and peace so that the rulers can maintain their power. The absolute isolation imposed on Mr Abdullah Öcalan means nothing but mortgaging the future of the peoples of Kurdistan and Turkey."

‘The judiciary in Turkey is under the captivity of the political power’

Drawing attention to the ongoing campaigns for the physical freedom of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan and the solution of the Kurdish question, and the determination for struggle and resistance developing in prisons and society, Hülakü said: "This is an important objection rising against the unlawful system. There is systematic torture against political prisoners and it has reached serious dimensions. This situation is an indication of an enemy law that is bound by political decisions. The judiciary in Turkey is under the captivity of the political power. It has no practice other than being anti-Kurdish. The systematic torture that political prisoners are subject to, the exile imposed on them, the prevention of sick prisoners’ right to treatment and life, arbitrary denials of release are a reflection of the isolation policy. Kurdish political prisoners are in a state of action and resistance today because they analyse the extent of the isolation in the best possible way and can see its consequences. Unfortunately, in a place that has ceased to be a state of law, there is no other option but to resist and develop action."

Emphasising that violations of rights and pressures against political prisoners continue to increase and that a policy of intimidation is being implemented on the families of prisoners, Hülakü added: "There is a great struggle and resistance in prisons. By being in solidarity with the families of prisoners and supporting this struggle, we can break the darkness of isolation imposed on the whole society together."