Politicians of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in exile held a press conference in the Council of Europe in Strasbourg following yesterday’s demonstration calling for action as hunger strikers calling for an end to the isolation regime on Abdullah Öcalan have reached a critical stage.

Bingöl MP Hişyar Özsoy, HDP Siirt former MP Besime Konca, Cizre co-mayor Leyle Imret and HDP Van former MP Lezgin Botan spoke at the press conference.

HDP Bingöl MP Hişyar Özsoy drew attention to the resistance by DTK co-chair and HDP Hakkari MP Leyla Güven, who is on hunger strike for 77 days.

Konca: Leyla Güven’s life at risk

After Özsoy, HDP Siirt former MP Besime Konca said that Leyla Güven has led the action which is now carried out in Turkey by over 200 political prisoners who joined the hunger strikes and added that they were taking part in the sit-in in front of the Council of Europe to show solidarity with the hunger strikers.

Konca added that Leyla Güven is now running a very serious risk, as her health is deteriorating fast.

Leyla Güven, said Konca, has been involved in women's struggle for 30 years, and has been an example and model in her two terms as a mayor.

Isolation imposed on Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan, added Konca, is isolation against the people of Turkey. Leyla Güven’s message, the former MP added, is clear: isolation must be lifted.

Konca also stated that it is a humanitarian approach to demand the abolition of isolation, and said isolation against Öcalan lasted 20 years and has been an aggravated isolation for the last 7 years.

Konca also reminded that denying visits with lawyers and family is against national and international laws and that Turkey must comply with the international agreements and laws it has signed.

“We repeat our call on the Council of Europe to act and take a political stance towards Turkey reminding it that it must comply with what it has signed.”

Konca also pointed out that the reports of the CPT in its past visits to Imralı, and stated that it was a crime to prevent Öcalan's family and lawyer visits and that this amounts to torture.

Cizre co-mayor Imret: war policy to continue if Leyla’s demands are not met

Cizre Municipal co-mayor Leyla Imret said: "As long as Leyla Güven’s demands are not met, war policy will continue in Turkey.”

Imret added: “We want to be the voice of Leyla Güven and the hunger strikers. European institutions should take action and do it urgently."

Botan: Europe should act quickly

HDP former MP for Van, Lezgin Botan, also called on Europe to stand up to its values. “A democratically elected MP is on hunger strike for 76 days, - said Botan - and this alone is the evidence of the illegality of the regime in Turkey. Leyla Güven is the victim of a very serious discrimination.”