A rotating hunger strike began in more than 100 prisons on November 27, demanding the end of the isolation imposed on PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı Type F High Security Closed Prison and ensuring his physical freedom. Lawyers for Freedom Association (ÖHD) Izmir Branch lawyers met with their clients on hunger strike and listened to their demands.

 

THE PRISONERS ARE DETERMINED

 

Drawing attention that the protest was initiated to demand freedom, lawyer Halil Coşkun said: "The concrete steps should be taken in line with this demand. Mr. Abdullah Öcalan has not been allowed to meet with his lawyers for 4 and a half years. In addition, he has not been able to communicate with his family in any way for about 3 years. The demands of the prisoners on hunger strike against this usurpation of rights are demands in accordance with the Constitution and the execution regulations; however, the state, the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Justice are playing three monkeys by not taking any steps. There is no arbitrary absolute non-communication clause in the execution law; however, arbitrary isolation has been imposed on Mr. Abdullah Öcalan for years. At this point, this isolation policy has started to be applied to the public as well. In our meeting with our clients, they stated that they will continue their actions in different ways if their demands are not met. They called on the necessary authorities to take steps on this issue to prevent worse consequences."

 

'THE ISOLATION MUST BE LIFTED'

 

Lawyer Onur Can Aykut, who met with his clients on hunger strike, stated that the prisoners gave the message and said: "They would increase their resistance if their demands were not met. There are many human rights violations in prisons. The most aggravated violation was the situation of Abdullah Öcalan. The prisoners were determined in their demands. Their demands should be met. The prisoners on hunger strike are moral and determined. They say they will continue their actions until they get results. They also want support from the public."

 

'THE PRISONERS INSIST ON THEIR DEMANDS'

 

Stating that human rights violations have been occurring in prisons for a long time,  Lawyer İmdat Ataş said: "The prisoners insist on their demands. The prisoners want their demands to come to the public agenda and be heard because these actions are considered as a last resort to bring the problems to the agenda; however, if the prison administrations turn a deaf ear to the demands and increase the pressure, it may cause the hunger strike action to become widespread."

 

MA / Delal Akyüz