At the Martyr Rüstem Cudi refugee camp in Maxmur, southern Kurdistan, an alternating hunger strike is taking place in order to demand an end to the isolation regime imposed upon Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan. Today, on day 49 of the hunger strike, a new group took their turn.

During the change of turn for the alternating hunger strike, a minute of silence was held to remember the martyrs of Kurdistan in the person of martyr Viyan Soran. Later, Ruken Kara spoke on behalf of the 16th group.

Welcoming all activists, Kara said: “A hunger strike was started by Leyla Guven and it has now spread throughout Kurdistan and the world. We also wanted to be a part of this resistance. We are hopeful that the campaign will suceed. The aggravated isolation against Leader Ocalan is not acceptable. The Kurdish people, particularly the youth, must rise up against the isolation.”

Following the statement of Kara, the 17th group took over the hunger strike amid slogans “Bê serok jiyan nabe” [No life without the leader] and “Bijî Serok Apo” [Long live leader Apo].

On the other hand, Member of Ishtar Women’s Council in Maxmur, Fedila Tok has been on an indefinite hunger strike since January 20 to protest the isolation of Ocalan in Imrali Prison. Tok stated that the she would not end the hunger strike until the isolation is ended.