On the 27th day of the hunger strike Hakkari MP Leyla Guven started to protest the isolation imposed upon Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan, the hunger strikes have spread to the parliament. HDP MPs have started a 2-day hunger strike in solidarity.

HDP Co-chair Pervin Buldan, DTK Co-chair and Agri MP Berdan Ozturk, HDP Women’s Assembly Spokeswoman Dilan Dirayet Tasdemir, HDP Parliamentary Deputy Speaker Mithat Sancar, MPs Kemal Bulbul, Sevin Coskun, Serpil Kemalbay, Habip Eksik, Zuleyha Gulum and Erdal Aydemir are participating in the hunger strike.

There are simultaneous hunger strikes in Istanbul, Mersin, Urfa, Amed, Sirnak, Batman, Mardin and Mus offices of the HDP with participation from MPs of the respective provinces.

“THE PARLIAMENT IS WHERE THE ISOLATION OF ÖCALAN MUST BE SPOKEN OF THE MOST”

HDP Co-chair Pervin Buldan said, “Starting this morning, we will be on a hunger strike for 2 days in the Parliament.”

Buldan added: “We are holding this hunger strike to show support for the hunger strike our Hakkari MP Leyla Guven started 27 days ago to protest the isolation imposed upon Mr. Öcalan. The purpose of Leyla Guven’s hunger strike is the lifting of the aggravated isolation imposed upon Mr. Öcalan in the Imrali Prison. The parliament is where this matter must be discussed and spoken of the most.”

“THIS IS NOT GUVEN’S ISSUE, THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR THE WHOLE OF TURKEY”

Buldan continued: “It is a fact that without resolving the Kurdish issue, no crisis in this country can be resolved. We have launched a 2-day hunger strike to add our voice to the hunger strike Leyla Guven started so the 3.5 year long aggravated isolation imposed upon Mr. Öcalan would be lifted. This issue should be resolved in the Parliament, this protest should be heeded. This is not just Leyla Guven’s or the HDP’s issue, this is an issue for the whole of Turkey.

I hope this hunger strike will achieve its goals soon. The lifting of the isolation is important for the future, peace and democracy of Turkey.

We will be on a hunger strike here for the next two days. This resistance will continue in other places as well. Of course this is a symbolic act, but it is of historic importance that it be held here.”

“WE DIDN’T MEET WITH THE JUSTICE MINISTRY, THEY SHOULD!”

When asked whether they met with the Justice Ministry about Leyla Guven’s situation, Buldan said:

“We didn’t, they should meet with us. Leyla Guven is the only MP in the 27th term who is in prison. Today, she has gone on a hunger strike. They should be asking us, they should be taking this issue on their agenda.”