Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) co-chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan demanded the end of Imrali isolation and the release of prisoners at the "Give Voice to Freedom" action in front of Bakırköy Prison.

Organized by the Marmara Prisoners and Convicts Families Solidarity Association (MATUHAY-DER) and relatives of prisoners, the action is part of the "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, a solution to the Kurdish question" campaign.

A banner reading "Give voice to freedom for social peace and breaking isolation" was opened in front of the prison.

Tülay Hatimoğulları drew attention to the pressures in prisons and said that isolation in Imrali was a major obstacle to a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question. Stating that "the ill-treatment of all prisoners, especially ill prisoners, must end," Tülay Hatimoğulları called for an end to human rights violations in prisons.

Tuncer Bakırhan said that prisons show the level of democracy and freedom of a country, and added: “The Kurdish question is the most fundamental issue in Turkey. One of the biggest actors in the solution to the Kurdish question is jailed in Imrali. Mr. Abdullah Öcalan says let’s solve the Kurdish question through dialogue and negotiation. Why the government doesn’t solve it? Dialogue and negotiation will not divide this country. This mentality that leads to the imprisonment of Kurds and dissidents, tortures them and take them out of prison dead is dividing Turkey. Solving the Kurdish question with its interlocutors will not harm this country. These practices are harming this country.” Bakırhan said that people who express their thoughts, seek their rights and speak Kurdish in Turkey are being put in prison and added that the government is collapsing the country economically and democratically. Bakırhan said: “Opening the doors of prisons means Turkey is discussing democracy and freedom.” He underlined that the isolation should be lifted and the dialogue and negotiation process should be restarted.

Following the speeches, the activists held a sit-in in front of the prison and reiterated their demands.