ANKARA - Stating that the prison sentence handed to Gökkan is a message to women's struggle, HDP Women's Coordination member Latife Demirci Kahya called for solidarity to women's organizations.

 

Free Women's Movement (TJA) Spokesperson Ayşe Gökkan was sentenced to 30 years in prison by Diyarbakır 9th High Criminal Court. The punishment of Gökkan, who worked for years in the Kurdish women's struggle, was considered a punishment given to the women's struggle. Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Women's Coordination member Latife Demirci Kahya evaluated the sentence given to Gökkan.

 

Noting that the 30-year prison sentence given to Gökkan is an attack against the Kurdish women's struggle, HDP Women's Coordination member Latife Kahya stated that all women were targeted with that sentence. Underlining that the Kurdish women's movement has not withdrew from the streets for years, Kahya said, “Kurdish women are harshly punished for this. The imprisonment of Ayşe Gökkan and the detention of Sebahat and Gültan at a time when the Kobanê Case is still ongoing are the biggest indicators of this. They cannot stand the struggle of the women's movement and are trying to take revenge."

 

MAINTAINING SOLIDARITY

 

Emphasizing that they will continue to fight against all attacks against women, Kahya said, "Our co-chair system is on trial in the person of Ayşe, our rallies of March 8 and November 25 is on trial on her behalf. Ayşe refused to make her defence because she did not accept that 30-year prison sentence. She refused to defend herself against this unlawful state. We have to maintain solidarity with Ayşe and never abandon the streets. I call on to all women's organisations and feminists to be there for Ayşe."

 

Ayse Gökkan and the co-chairman are on trial on March 8 and November 25 at the same time. While her trial was being held, Ayşe refused to defend because she did not accept the 30-year sentence given in this case, she did not give her defense to this unjust, unlawful state. Together, we can protect Ayşe Gökkan by maintaining solidarity. I call on all women's organizations and feminists, let's not leave the streets, let's not leave Ayşe alone.”