The hunger strike of the 9 prisoners in Mardin Tyoe E Closed Prison is on its 104th day while the hunger strike of 133 prisoners including journalists and politicians is on its 49th day.

 

21 year old Zana Yılmaz who is in prison for 4 years is amongst the first group. He was arrested with the accusation of 'being a member of an illegal organization' and 'disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state' when he was in high school and was sentenced to 56 years of prison time. His sentence was reduced to 20 years and 3 months because he was a juvenile.

 

Father Bedi Yılmaz who spoke about his son's hunger strike action, stated that his son told him that he is determined to continue his action until they reviece results.

 

Father Yılmaz said: "The government imposes isolation on the Kurdish people in the person of Abdullah Öcalan to keep their power. We support and claim the demand of our children." Father Yılmaz who reminded that 8 people ended their lives so far, said: "How can a person be OK with this and remain unresponsive? All institutions who has responsibility must avoid these deaths. Political parties have to make some noise for this."

 

Yılmaz underlining that the right to life is the most important right, said: "The demand of the prisoners is democratic and legitimate. Kurdish people will never leave their children alone. It is not a solution to dismiss people from every door they knock. Noone will remain at home. They are a piece of us. Hence, whoever the addressees are, the families are going to disturb them. The government may not be able to see that but the public have to. Ignoring this is not humane and not moral. A solution must be found before more people lose their lives."