287 NGOs launch vigil against isolation in Amed

Kurdish politician Leyla Güven has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 150 days.

Representatives of 287 non-governmental organizations from 17 cities in the Kurdish region of Turkey have launched a vigil in Amed (Diyarbakır) demanding the end of the isolation against Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan.

The vigil was launched in the Eğitim-Sen trade union office following a press conference on the hunger strike campaign which was launched by DTK (Democratic Society Congress) Co-chair and HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party) MP Leyla Güven and was later joined by thousands of prisoners in Turkish jails as well as dozens of activists in Turkey, Kurdistan, Europe and all around the world.

During the day, the NGO representatives have received solidarity visits from several politicians including DTK Co-chair Bedran Öztürk, HDP Amed MP Semra Güzel, Bağlar Co-mayors Zübeyde Zümrüt and Zeyat Ceylan, Kayapınar Co-mayors Keziban Yılmaz and Necati Pirinççioğulu, HDP provincial and district organizations executives and families of prisoners.

Speaking during the visit, HDP deputy Semra Güzel recalled that Leyla Güven is on the 150th day of her fast. She said an entire people is subject to isolation and this must be understood well.

Noting that many prisoners have ended their lives to protest against the isolation of Öcalan, Güzel said “this action of the prisoners means that they will continue their action as long as the silence on the matter remains”.

The HDP deputy remarked that the NGOs expressing solidarity with hunger strikes is of importance and value, adding; “I believe that the isolation will be broken if NGOs and the people increase their actions.”