Hunger strikes to protest against the capture of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan continue in several cities across Turkey.

Dozens of citizens, including Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Van MP Nazmi Gür and BDP Van Branch Co-Chair Mihriban Þah on Friday have taken their turn in the hunger strike in Baþkale (Van). Gür said, "I hope that 2012 will be a year of democracy and peace." The hunger strike will continue with turns until Newroz celebrations on March 19.

Twelve citizens started a three-day hunger strike in the BDP Zeytinburnu Branch building in Istanbul on Thursday night as eleven citizens ended their three-day hunger strike on Friday in the BDP Baþakþehir Branch building with the participation of BDP Istanbul Co-Chair Ali Rýza Bilgili. Emine Öndül said on behalf of the group, "No matter the price will be, we will continue the struggle for the freedom of Öcalan with determination. We condemn the conspiracy of February 15 against our leader." Ali Rýza Bilgili said that the protest in Taksim reached its goal even though it was not permitted. Bilgili added, "We want the negotiations with Mr. Öcalan to be restarted. No community in Turkey will be free until the Kurdish community is free."

The hunger strikes in the Nusaybin Town of Mardin and the Kayapýnar and Baðlar Districts of Diyarbakýr are on their seventh day. Hunger strikes also continue in the Ceylanpýnar and Viranþehir Towns of Urfa and the Cizre Town of Þýrnak.