FIOM, the most important Italian metal workers union expressed solidarity with Kurdish comrades on hunger strike demanding  the end of isolation against Abdullah Ocalan.

“FIOM adds its own voice to break the silence with which the international community seems to powerlessly witness the dramatic situation of the over 7,000 Kurdish political prisoners on hunger strike to demand the end of the isolation and deprivation regime of the elementary human rights in which it is held Abdullah Ocalan”, the statement said.

FIOM continued: “The violation of fundamental human rights and conditions of detention configurable as torture against Abdullah Ocalan and many Kurdish political prisoners have been tolerated for too long without an adequate reaction from the governments and parliaments of the countries of the European Union.”

Reminding that so far 8 people have already lost their lives “while carrying out this extreme form of protest”, the statement continued: “Without an urgent initiative of the international community towards Turkey many other [hunger strikers] are at serious risk of death or otherwise of suffering permanent damage.

In the face of this latest episode of violence and torture towards the Kurdish population and its political representation by the Turkish state, we express full solidarity towards people on hunger strike and in denouncing the very serious responsibilities of the Turkish Government we urge an urgent and effective action by the European Union and individual member countries to end the isolation of Abdullah Ocalan and restore conditions of humanity and respect for fundamental rights for all political prisoners in Turkish prisons.”

The statement was signed by Francesca Re David, FIOM General Secretary and Stefano Maruca, FIOM International Office.