7 activists go on hunger strike in Van against isolation

7 more activists are going on a hunger strike in Van to show solidarity with the hunger strikes against the isolation imposed upon Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan.

The activists gathered in the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Ipekyolu district offices to make their announcement.

Relatives of prisoners, HDP and DBP members as well as representatives from institutions attended the announcement.

The activists put up a banner that read “Deng bide, tecrîdê bişikîne, bedengî mirin e” (“Speak up, break the silence, silence is death”) and HDP Van MP Muazzez Orhan stressed the condition of Leyla Guven, who has been on a hunger strike for 155 days, and the prisoners.

MP Orhan said there will be a 3 day hunger strike to lend their voice to those who are not heard: “We are calling on all authorities here. Isolation is a crime against humanity. It is a violation of the right to life. 7 people ended their lives in prisons to draw attention to this isolation and hunger strikes in prisons. But the state, the authorities and the Ministry of Justice still resist taking legal steps.”

Orhan said they demand the implementation of human rights, the laws and the laws on execution of sentences in particular: “We are calling on all of society, all democratic forces and all sections of society to lend their voice to this voice, to amplify this and to grow the voice so steps will be taken against the isolation which is a violation of the fundamental right to life.”

Orhan stressed that a democratic life can only be built if the isolation is broken and said: “Isolation leads to darkness and chaos. Isolation is a hindrance against unity.”

Orhan added: “We are here to lend our voice and our strength once again to end the hunger strikes. Authorities must take action at once. Laws must be implemented and this crime against humanity must be ended.”

The 7 activists later put on vests with Leyla Guven’s photograph and the words, “End the isolation let Leyla live” and started their 3-day hunger strike.