Support grows for imprisoned HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party) MP and DTK (Democratic Society Congress) Co-chair Leyla Guven who went on a hunger strike to protest the aggravated isolation imposed upon Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan.

Hunger strikes have been launched in Hakkari, Urfa and Adana after Amed and Van.

HAKKARI

HDP MPs Sait Dede and Nuran Imir launched a hunger strike with HDP province and district administrators in the HDP Hakkari offices. Dede issued a statement before the launch and said there is no legal reason why Leyla Guven, who won a record percent of the vote in the June 24 elections, would be in prison. Dede said Guven as an elected MP should be released and the case against her should be paused: “As the people of Hakkari, we stand behind Leyla Guven’s demands. The isolation must be lifted at once and Mr. Abdullah Öcalan must be free. Our protests will continue until the isolation ends.”

Imir said the isolation is an attack against Kurdish language, culture and values and added: “The genocidal mindset can only be eliminated when we launch demonstrations for peace and democracy. The protest Guven launched is dignified and sacred.”

Imir called on everybody to support the protests.

The politicians started a 2-day hunger strike after the statement.

URFA

HDP Urfa Chapter launched a hunger strike in the party offices to support Guven. HDP Urfa MP Ayse Surucu, Amed MP Semra Guzel, DBP Province Co-chair Bekir Karagecili, HDP Haliliye District Co-chair Mahmut Memitanli, MEYADER Representative and Urfa Peace Mother Hedlê Ogur and Peace Mothers Hazal Cam and Selvi Ustunc are participating in the strike.

Ayse Surucu stated that the isolation imposed upon Öcalan isolates peace and the common life. Surucu said Guven’s demands are their demands and added that their protests will transform and continue if the isolation imposed upon Öcalan doesn’t end.

ADANA

HDP Adana Chapter also launched a 2-day hunger strike to support Leyla Guven. A statement was read in front of the party offices and HDP MPs Remziye Tosun, Tulay Hatimogullari and Kemal Pekoz as well as party members and representatives from institutions participated in the statement.

HDP Adana Co-chair Gulseren Tural said Öcalan’s ideas based on the joint struggle of the peoples of the Middle East are being targeted. Tural said, “The hunger strike imprisoned Leyla Guven launched for Mr. Öcalan is a rightful protest and her demands are our demands. So we say, Leyla Guven is right, and the isolation must end. Her demand is our demand. The absolute isolation against Öcalan must end at once.”