15 February 1999 marks the 22nd anniversary of the international conspiracy and the hunger strike in prisons against the isolation imposed on Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan will enter its 81st day. The alternating hunger strikes are expected to turn into indefinite hunger strikes in the coming days. Evaluating the February 15 conspiracy and the ongoing hunger strikes to ANF, HDP Van Provincial co-chairs Handan Karakoyun and Fikret Doğan underlined that the demands of political prisoners are constitutional demands and must be accepted.

HDP Van Provincial co-chair Fikret Doğan reminded that prisons are overcrowded and that there are thousands of political prisoners behind bars due to political genocide operations carried out by the ruling forces.

Doğan said that the only tool political prisoners have to exercise their democratic rights are hunger strikes and added: "We are familiar with hunger strikes. The hunger strikes led by Leyla Güven in 2019 lasted 200 days. As a result of the insensitivity of the state, 10 political prisoners lost their lives.”

Doğan continued: “Recently a hunger strike in several prisons began to draw attention to the ongoing human rights violations and isolation in Turkey. Currently the hunger strike is carried out on a 5-day basis, but there is a possibility that this will turn into indefinite death fast. We all wish that there are no new losses and no death fast. The demands of the prisoners do not contradict the current constitution. They are protesting rights violations and restrictions that started with the coronavirus pandemic process. And of course prisoners are protesting isolation. The prisoners are currently facing problems related to the canteen, sports, visits, social activities and even food."

Referring to the isolation in Imrali, Doğan said: “Isolation is not only imposed on Imrali but on the whole society, in Turkey and the Middle East. Political prisoners went on a hunger strike to democratize society, to end the war and to prevent our people from dying anymore. These are just demands.”

Doğan reminded that the HDP is following “this issue closely” and added that this is why they launched the ‘Justice for All’ campaign.

Isolation and attacks on Kurdish gains are part of the international conspiracy

HDP Van Provincial co-chair Handan Karakoyun said that while Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan is being held in conditions of total isolation, the ongoing attacks on Kurdish gains are a continuation of the international conspiracy policy. "Turkey and the Middle East peoples are resisting everywhere against the conspiracy.”

Karakoyun continued: “Peace, freedom and democracy is possible in our country with the abolition of this unlawful isolation. Therefore, the authorities should respond to the justified hunger strike in prisons by granting the prisoners’ demands. The loss of life in hunger strikes and subsequent death fasts will have irreparable consequences. We call on the government to take steps quickly.”