Hunger striker Sarikaya: We can put an end to isolation

Underlining that the hunger strike is an important opportunity in terms of breaking isolation, Sarikaya said: “We will end isolation through our hunger strike. This is a big opportunity.”

On the 50th day of hunger strike Mustafa Sarikaya made a statement on behalf of the hunger strikers in Strasbourg.

Sarikaya is one of the 14 Kurdish activists on indefinite hunger strike for 50 days in Strasbourg demanding the end of isolation against Abdullah Öcalan.

“We are standing at a point - said Sarikaya - where we, as people, as region, as humanity, believe that Abdullah Öcalan must be included in the process. At the same time as people whose identity has been shaped by Leader Öcalan we believe that his 20 years of isolation is a great insult, a great injustice.”

Mustafa Sarikaya said that Kurdish have experienced the embarrassment of not being able to break the isolation so far and underlined that HDP deputy Leyla Güven has been a cry out against it.

We picked up Leyla’s voice in Strasbourg

Sarikaya said that the isolation on Öcalan has lasted far too long.

“This had to be ended by now - said the hunger striker - it was not insurmountable. The enemy will, of course, always show hostility towards us. But we are also experiencing the reality of a people living in an immense historical, social experience. Nevertheless, the fact that isolation, which is a torture, continues is an embarrassment for us.”

Underlining that the hunger strike is an important opportunity in terms of breaking isolation, Sarikaya said: “We will end isolation through our hunger strike. This is a big opportunity.”

Hunger strike spread all over Europe, Kurdistan and Turkey

Sarikaya underlined that the hunger strike spread in Strasbourg, the prisons, Wales, Toronto and many European cities, after Leyla Güven initiated her action in Amed prison.

The Kurdish hunger striker also underlined that peace and democracy in Turkey pass through the end of isolation and through Imrali. “They pass through the freedom of Öcalan. - he said - We strongly believe in this.”

On the 50th day of hunger strike, Mustafa Sarikaya called on the people to break the silence. “We need to break the silence. The power of our enemies is mostly fed by our silence. Fascism has always been like this; occupation and colonialism have always been like this. They built their empire through horror and fear.”

Leyla Güven in Amed and Nasir Yagiz in Hewler reached a critical stage

Mustafa Sarikaya, who touched on the health problems experienced by the hunger strikers, said that Leyla Güven in Amed and Nasir Yagiz in Hewler, are the two hunger strikers in the most delicate situation.

Sarikaya said: “Our action will continue with persistence and determination until what we want is achieved. Isolation must be lifted. We don't want to live with this shame, no matter the price we have to pay, we are willing to pay it.”

Sarikaya underlined that “we are witnessing the weakest period of the Turkish state and this is why it became mad and aggressive. But at the same time, this is the moment we're closest to achieving our goal.”

Sarikaya ended his remarks by calling once again on all people to support the hunger strikers and to speak out against isolation.