The indefinite-irreversible hunger strike by political prisoners of PAJK (Kurdistan Women's Liberation Party) and PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) in several prisons continues against rights violations and genocidal practices.

The indefinite and irreversible hunger strikes in İzmir Aliağa Şakran Prison is in its 44th day, Edirne F Type Closed Prison in its 35th day, Sincan Women's Closed Prison in its 35th day, and Van Prison in its 22nd day. In the meantime, the hunger strike that launched in all prisons on March 15 with the same demands has entered its 15th day.

The hunger strikes demand “the isolation imposed upon Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan and the prisoners with him be lifted at once, rights violations practices in prisons are abandoned and practices of burning down villages end”.

Earlier today, HDP (Peoples' Democratic Party) Co-chair and MP Abdullah Zeydan who are jailed in Edirne F Type Prison announced that they will be joining the hunger strike from Friday, tomorrow, on.

Demirtaş and Zeydan sent a message to the HDP Headquarters and said:

“The Edirne Prison Administration’s approach that is closed for dialogue, their unlawful practices, their inhumane treatment of other prisoners and the fact that they have taken zero steps for good will to end the hunger strikes that have continued for days have led us to go on a hunger strike on Friday. We are calling on the public to raise awareness on the hunger strikes and rights violations in prisons.”

Co-chair of the Democratic Regions' Party (DBP), Sebahat Tuncel who is jailed in Silivri Prison will also join the hunger strike. The message sent by DBP Co-chair Tuncel said the followings:

"The indefinite-irreversible hunger strikes launched in prisons with the demand of an end to the aggravated isolation on Mr. Öcalan, rights violations in prisons and repression on villages, and a return to dialogue and negotiations have reached a critical phase. It is of great importance to create democratic public opinion in order that human rights organisations, democratic circles, political parties and our people do not remain silent on hunger strikes, and in order that their demands are met. To this end, I will go on hunger strike together with a group of friends at Silivri No:9 Prison on 1-5 April so that the demands of hunger strikes are met."

HDP deputies Meral Danış Beştaş, Ayhan Bilgen and Nihat Akdoğan who are jailed in Silivri Prison will also be joining the hunger strike from 1 April to 5 April.

Nasrullah Kuran and Çetin Arkaş, who were held in İmralı High Security F Type Prison as Öcalan's secretariat during the 'resolution process' but were later transferred to Silivri No:9 Prison and are held there since, as well as İnan Kızılkaya, Chief Editor of the Özgür Gündem daily shut down with a decree, will also join the hunger strike as of tomorrow.