HDP’s Oluç: Accept the demand of the hunger strikers

"Once again we are calling on the authorities, especially the Ministry of Justice to listen to what is a legitimate and human demand. The hunger strikers are asking to put an end to isolation. There is no other demand."

HDP spokesperson, Saruhan Oluç held a press conference party's headquarters in Ankara yesterday to address the main issues on the agenda.

Oluç spoke about the action of prisoner Zülküf Gezen who ended his life to protest isolation of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan. “Zülküf Gezen’s body - said Oluç - was taken and buried in secret and the family was not able to mourn and hold the burial ceremony the way it wanted. And when people and family tried to enter the graveyard, police beat them up.”

Referring to the action of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) co-chair and HDP Hakkari MP Leyla Güven, who has been on hunger strike for 133 days to demand the end of isolation, Oluç said: “Leyla Güven is on the 132nd day of the hunger strike, prisoners are on the 94th day. All critical thresholds have been overcome. Once again we are calling on the authorities, especially the Ministry of Justice to listen to what is a legitimate and human demand. The hunger strikers are asking to put an end to isolation. There is no other demand. Authorities, especially the Ministry of Justice, should take the matter seriously. In terms of society, there is an extremely troubled period for families and it causes big ruptures. This is not to be taken lightly.”

Media lies and elections

Oluç criticised the regime’s press and its coverage of the electoral campaign. He said that there is a hate and smear campaign against the HDP promoted by some media with false accusations and insults.

The HDP spokesperson also criticised the continued insults by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan aimed at his party; “We are faced with a mentality that does not refrain from insulting the HDP voters, families of 6 million voters, more than 20 million people, and the Kurdish people at various rallies up to three times a day.”

Speaking about the elections, Oluç said: “We face various pressures and prohibitions. Some of our billboards are banned. Freedom begins with governing ourselves. There is nothing illegal in saying this. Yet they banned our report on the State-appointed trustees.

This judiciary should investigate the fraud and irregularities committed by the trustees instead of banning a report exposing them. On 31 March those trustees will be sent back to Ankara."

Oluç ended the press conference by confirming that the people and the HDP will celebrate Newroz and then responded to some questions from journalists.