The activists held a press conference in which they gave detail of the hunger strike which will be carried out by 13 people. 

The members of AvEG-Kon and SKB who joined the hunger strike put up a tent in Altstadt, one of the busiest squares in Cologne. Here they will be carrying out the hunger strike and talk to people to explain the reason of their action. 

The hunger strikers’ demand is everybody’s demand

Aveg-Kon co-chair Baki Selçuk, one of the activists who join the hunger strike, said: “We are launching a hunger strike in order to send an answer to the fascist regime that invades Afrin and the cities of Northern Kurdistan.” 

Selçuk added that the demand of Leyla Güven and the other hunger strikers to end isolation actually concern everyone. 

"Leyla Güven - added Seljuk - is right and isolation must be lifted immediately. Leyla Güven, who is on a hunger strike indefinitely, has been joined by over 5,000 prisoners, and dozens of activists in Hewlêr, Strasbourg and other places. The European states, especially Germany, should stand against the fascist terror that the Turkish state has inflicted on our prisoners and our people, and should cut military and economic relations with the Turkish state.”

Let’s listen to the hunger strikers 

Zeynep Diren, member of the European Socialist Women's Union Coordination, is also joining the hunger strike. 

“Now maybe you are going to a job interview. Or to meet with your friend, or to school, or home ... Perhaps you're going on holiday. Well, while you continue your normal life Leyla Güven is on a hunger strike. Did you know that?”

Diren added that among the 7,000 people on hunger strike are many women such as Sebahat Tuncel, Selma Irmak and Muhabbet Kurt and Hülya Gerçek.

"Breaking the isolation imposed in prison will mean break the isolation imposed outside of prison. Let's give voice to the thousands of people on hunger strike. Let their demands be heard. The isolation imposed on Kurdish People's leader Abdullah Öcalan must be removed. Improve health conditions of prisoners and end these inhumane practices.”