The hungers strike prisoners have launched across Turkish prisons continues. Prisoner Abdurrahman Yıldırım in Şakran Prison, where the hunger strike entered its 47th day, described the situation at Şakran to his family during a phone conversation.

Yıldırım emphasized that the human rights violations at Şakran continue to increase, and said that his friends launched the hunger strike for two main reasons. Yıldırım stated that the hunger strike was launched to end the isolation of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan and draw attention to the increasing pressures on prisoners and people.

‘HEALTH OF PRISONERS DETERIORATES EVERY DAY’
Yıldırım drew attention to the health of prisoners, and said “Their health deteriorates every day. Generally, prison conditions are not good. The hunger strikes began in response to the pressures. Common spaces and newspaper were banned. The politics outside is reflected inside the prison. They are intensifying the isolation in almost every area. Our friends on hunger strike are not allowed to see us. Entrance to and exit from the area where the prisoners on hunger strike are located are being monitored. They made it mandatory to wear name tags in order to enter or leave this area.”

Yıldırım noted that the conditions at Şakran prison worsen every day, and said “Their response to our friends' demands is violence. The conditions worsen every day. No matter what happens, we have not accepted degrading treatment. We will not accept such treatment.”

‘WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS LEADER ÖCALAN'S SITUATION’
Prisoner Abdurrahman Yıldırım stated that prisoners are strip-searched before going to the hospital, and said that those that object to this policy are punished. Yıldırım reiterated that the prisoners are determined to continue the hunger strike despite the worsening conditions, and said "What is important is Leader Öcalan's situation. Our friends launched the hunger strike for him. They also launched it because of the politics inside and outside prisons. Our friends are determined.”

Lastly, Yıldırım emphasized that the prisoners would continue their hunger strike until their demands are met, and said "Our hunger strike will not end before Leader Öcalan's situation improves and the oppression inside and outside prisons ends. Our 5 day-long rotational hunger strike continues as well.”