Leyla Güven has been on hunger strike since 7 November. She demands an end to the isolation imposed on Abdullah Öcalan. Her health is quickly deteriorating as she approaches the 50th day of fast.

DTK (Democratic Society Congress) co-chair and HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party) Hakkari deputy Leyla Güven is held hostage in Diyarbakır E Type Prison since 31 January, when she was detained for protesting the Turkish state occupation of Afrin and for statements she made as co-chair of the DTK.

Leyla Güven was elected deputy for Hakkari in the 24 June elections, but was not released. Güven refused to be handcuffed for the third hearing of her trial held in Diyarbakır 9th Heavy Penal Court and was prevented from attending the hearing.

In an interview she gave to ANF a few weeks ago, Güven had summarized the situation in the four parts of Kurdistan as follows: “In Iran, the revolutionary Kurdish youth are brutally murdered. In spite of the borders set in Iraq, the central government is left in a position to do nothing but permits threats to Federal Kurdistan. When the Kurds, who had no identity in Syria, attempt to build their own systems, declaring a de facto autonomy, both local and international sovereign powers try to stop these achievements. In Northern Kurdistan, a ‘Collapse Plan’ is in force against the Kurdish people”.

Güven recalled Abdullah Öcalan’s message sent to Newroz in 2013, in which he said that it was possible to achieve a permanent solution without drawing any boundaries; Kurdish and Turkish people can live together; he emphasized that peoples can solve the problem with their own dynamics without needing any foreign power. Güven said the same model would be viable for the peoples of the Middle East.

Isolation to silence peace efforts

Güven spoke at length in these past weeks on how isolation was first imposed on Öcalan so that his voice could not be heard. “We know that isolation is an international policy”, said the Hakkari deputy, adding: “The silence of the international institutions when it comes to this inhuman practice says it all. All institutions, especially the CPT, play three monkeys in the face of these very serious and vital violations of rights”.

Güven pointed out that the violations in Imralı cannot be tolerated and praised the “tens of thousands of Kurds who have been protesting in many European capitals for years.”

Until isolation is lifted

Talking about her own protest action, the indefinite hunger strike, the Hakkari deputy said: “Don't get it wrong, there are thousands of people and they have done all kinds of actions for Öcalan. I cannot solve a huge problem like the Kurdish question nor can I end isolation by myself, but with the strength given to me by the Prison of Diyarbakır, and the memory of the actions carried out in this prison, I have started my protest with huge respect for those heroes who protested before me”.

Güven added: “We will continue our protest until isolation is lifted. To remain silent on isolation, is to approve and be a partner in this crime. Everyone must fulfill the human and moral duties that fall upon them. We can bring social peace to these lands with our own power. The possibility of Mr. Öcalan to play his role will be determined by our struggle”.