Hunger strikes demanding an end to the isolation imposed upon Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan continue in various European cities. Hasbi Cakici, who has been on a hunger strike for 101 days in the Hague, spoke to the ANF about his protest.

First, can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Hasbi Cakici. I was born in Batman. I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters. My father was a civil servant and we moved all over Kurdistan and Turkey. I went to elementary school in Batman, middle school in Nusaybin and high school in Antalya. I was studying in the Middle East Technical University (METU) in the Civil Engineering department when I dropped out in my junior year.

How were you introduced to the Kurdish Freedom Movement?

The atmosphere was very political at the time. Everybody was a member to something. I came to know the Kurdish Freedom Movement after meeting friend Egid (Mahsum Korkmaz) and I started to participate. After staying with friend Egid for a while, I started to work actively. I worked in Midyat, Nusaybin, Batman and Kiziltepe. I was captured in Kiziltepe on August 3, 1979. I was arrested and sent to the Mardin Prison. I was released on parole in June 1983, then I continued to work in Mersin and Antalya.

When did you come to Europe?

In November 1991. I settled in the Hague in the Netherlands. Here I started to work with the Democratic Kurdish Social Center and do cultural activities. I worked in the KNK between 1996 and 97, then I returned to DTKM work in the Hague.

How did you decide to go on a hunger strike?

After friend Leyla Guven, I thought long and hard. I questioned how I could respond to the process. Then I decided to do it. I salute Leyla Guven and all friends in the resistance.