HDP: 76 prisoners are on hunger strike

HDP Prison Committee released a statement concerning the hunger strike which was started by prisoners who are jailed or convicted due to PKK and PJAK cases in İzmir Şakran Prison and spread to many other prisons. 

According to the report, 76 prisoners in six prisons are on hunger strike indefinitely and without taking turns. 17 of those prisoners are women. And since March 15, prisoners have been going on a hunger strike for certain periods and taking turns.

Here is the information provided in the report:

• In Şakran, 5 women prisoners are on the 40^th day of hunger strike. 7 prisoners are on the 12^th, 8 prisoners are on the 33^rd and 13 prisoners are on the 47^th day of hunger strike.

• In Sincan Women's Prison, 7 prisoners are on the 39^th day.

• In Tekirdap Prison, 10 prisoners are on the 26^th day.

• In Tarsus Women's Prison, 5 prisoners are on the 20^th day.

• In Bolu F-Type Prison, 10 prisoners are on the 6^th day.

• In Hatay T-Type Prison, 11 prisoners are on the 3^rd day.

• In Van Prison, there are 3 groups on hunger strike. However, 10 people were transferred to Tekirdağ and 15 people were transferred to Bandırma. The group of 10 continues the hunger strike in Tekirdağ.

3 jailed MPs on hunger strike

On March 31, HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş and Hakkari MP Abdullah Zeydan went on a hunger strike in Edirne Prison. They ended the hunger strike on April 1 on the ground that “the administration promised to take the adequate steps for solving the problems.”

The report states that 3 other MPs went on a hunger strike: “Since no steps have been taken concerning the prisoners who are on a hunger strike for 45 days”, HDP Kars MP Ayhan Bilgen, Adana MP Meral Danış Beştaş and Hakkari MP Nihat Akdoğan went on a hunger strike on April 1.