50 politicians to go on a hunger strike

Co-chairs of HP, DBP, KJA, DTK and HDK, deputies and mayors made a joint statement in Diyarbakir.

Reading the statement, Hatip Dicle said: “50 friends volunteered to go on an indefinite hunger strike starting from September 5. This hunger strike has only one demand, that is meeting with Öcalan in a legal way.”

Highlights of the statement are below.

“We haven't heard from him for 510 days”

“Öcalan has been in solitary confinement for almost 18 years in İmrali Island and we haven't heard anything from him for 510 days. It's been 46 days since the attempted coup and though there is confirmed information about a planned attack to İmrali as part of the attempted coup, we haven't still received any information concerning his health condition and safety.

“Legal rules and rights have been violated in İmrali. For the last 5 years, Öcalan has been denied meeting with his lawyers. The government has been treating him as an hostage and aggravating his conditions.

“During this 510-days period without contact, we had political, legal, diplomatic and humane efforts, but the government frustrated us. Thus, we decided to start a new process until his lawyers, his family or a political committee will meet with him and provide accurate information about his condition. In accordance with this decision, 50 friends volunteered to go on an indefinite hunger strike starting from September 5. This hunger strike has only one demand, that is meeting with Öcalan in a legal way.

“Our first call is addressed to the government: we expect our demand to be met tomorrow, considering its political, legal, moral and humane legitimacy.”