Two prisoners continue hunger strike in Erbil prison

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Two individuals from Turkey who were arrested in July 2019 in connection to an attack on Turkey's consulate in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, have been on a hunger strike for 44 days. Osman Köse, a diplomat on duty, and Iraqi citizens Neriman Osman and Beşdar Ramazan were the targets of the attack that led to their arrest.

Mazlum Dağ and Abdurrahman Er are protesting against human rights violations, demanding an end to "torture and ill-treatment," the abandonment of the "imposition of a standard uniform," and the termination of the "solitary confinement" practice.

Necmettin Er, the uncle of Abdurrahman Er, spoke to Fırat News Agency (ANF), expressing concern over the deteriorating condition of his nephew. He said, "My nephew and Mazlum are in a very critical condition. Our family is extremely worried. My nephew has lost more than 20 kilograms of weight. Those on a hunger strike are not receiving the necessary B1 vitamin. In a way, they are on a death fast."

Previously, Dağ and Er initiated a hunger strike in the prison on September 28, 2022. They had ended the strike on the 14th day after their demands were met. Furthermore, on February 13, 2022, they started a death fast, which they discontinued on the 9th day after their demands were fulfilled. However, as the violations persisted, on May 18, they commenced an indefinite and irreversible hunger strike once again. (NT/VK)