Democratic Society Congress (DTK) Co-chair and HDP Hakkari MP Leyla Guven who has been on a hunger strike for 105 days to protest the isolation imposed upon Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Ocalan sent a written message to the 2nd Middle East Youth Conference held in Kobanê.

Leyla Guven said the Middle East needs Ocalan’s ideas more than ever for a solution and a lasting peace and added: “We are peoples who fought numerous times and won these rough struggles. You don't have to go too far into history, just look at the historic Kobanê victory.”

Leyla Guven’s message is as follows:

“Esteemed peoples of the Middle East, dear young comrades,

Greetings to the bright faces of the peoples of the Middle East and the world who continue the struggle for revolution valiantly in Rojava. I salute each and every young comrade and the 2nd Middle East Youth Conference, and stress my faith that we will prevail together in this rough but historic process.

As you all know, Mr. Ocalan was handed over to Turkey in an international plot. The Imrali Prison is a system with a special status where domestic or universal law doesn't apply. It is not transparent who runs it, or how. Surely there will be aspects of it that get clearer in time. As such, Mr. Ocalan has exposed the majority of this system in his 20 years of imprisonment. The youth and the peoples of the Middle East will hold this to account through a democratic struggle.

Esteemed young comrades, Mr. Ocalan is a political identity. The Turkish state and international invading powers know how his words and messages determine the Middle Eastern peoples’ agenda, and they continue the absolute isolation against him. Mr. Ocalan is an important actor in the construction of social peace. He has proven this time and again through his theoretical and practical experience. The youth of the Middle East and all peoples are aware of this fact. Mr. Ocalan is much needed today. His messages will be a guarantee for a lasting peace in the Middle East. My demand and my comrades’ demand is that the aggravated isolation imposed upon him end at once. This is a legal and moral demand. If there is a price to be paid for this situation to be resolved, we are prepared to pay it.

Dear young comrades, this conference to be held in Rojava is meaningful and important. I believe fully that young comrades coming together on the lands where the revolution blossomed will create an important synergy. The Rojava Revolution is a women's revolution. The awareness and conscience created by women will be a good example for the peoples of the Middle East under the lead of young women.

Comrades, these resilient peoples will carry the struggle for freedom and democracy to the end. We are peoples who fought numerous times and won these rough struggles. You don't have to go too far into history, just look at the historic Kobanê victory. Joint resistance fronts led by the youth have always been the ones victorious. With our faith, unwavering will and the strength we derive from you, our young comrades, we will carry this resistance to victory.

I say we live and breathe the reality of a life worth dying for, and we are at a point where we would gladly welcome death for this cause. I know that you will increase this struggle to break the absolute isolation. With my faith that we will prevail, I salute once more the 2nd Middle East Youth Conference and embrace your revolutionary hearts with the warmth of a comrade.”

Deniz Surgut sent a video message to the conference in the name of hunger strikers in Europe and stressed that the protests led by Leyla Guven continue to grow. Surgut said: “Friend and foe alike should know that we won't accept a life without Leader Apo. We won't accept a life of slavery. We will continue to resist with the spirit of the youth, until our last breath.”