Message from HDP Co-Chair Demirtaş: We are Going on Hunger Strike

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In a message he sent from Edirne Type-F Prison, Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş has announced he will go on hunger strike with his cellmate, HDP Hakkari MP Abdullah Zeydan.

Demirtaş in his message said:

“We are going on hunger strike as of Friday because of the unlawful practices in Edirne Prison and no step being taken to stop hunger strikes, and inhumane practices against other prisoners.

“We urge public to be sensitive towards the ongoing hunger strikes and violations”.

Besides, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair Sebahat Tuncel also declared that he will be on hunger strike in Silivri Prison where she is imprisoned between April 1-5.

64 prisoners in total

As of today (March 30), the prisons in which hunger strikes continue and the number of days the strikers carry out the hunger strike are as follows:

* 33 prisoners including five women from Şakran Hospital are on 44th day.

* 16 prisoners from Edirne Prison on 34th day.

* 8 prisoners from Van Type-T Prison on 23rd day.

* 7 women prisoners from Sincan Women Prison on 36th day.

Demands of the strikers

Nazari explained the demands of the hunger strikers:

* Heavy isolation conditions for PKK’s imprisoned leader Abdullah Öcalan be lifted

* Bans and destruction in Kurdish cities be ended

* Bad attitude against the prisoners be changed. (AS/TK)