An indefinite and non-alternating hunger strike is continuing on day 53 in the French city of Strasbourg to protest the isolation of the Kurdish people’s leader, Abdullah Ocalan. Among the hunger strikers is Ayvaz Ece, born in 1974 in the village of Varna is Halfeti district of Urfa province, North Kurdistan.

Ece noted that thanks to the struggle of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan, they can freely express themselves as a Kurd today, and continued: “Our people became aware of their identity through Ocalan’s ideas. Ocalan is imprisoned for the past 20 years, and we have failed to stand by him to the required extend.”

Ece stated that whatever they did for Abdullah Ocalan, it would not be sufficient, “Apo is struggling for us, for our children. Leader Apo is entering his 70s and he has been jailed for the last 20 years. We should not leave Ocalan alone; to support Ocalan is to protect ourselves. We will never be able to truly know ourselves or Apo should we not protect ourselves. If we forget our history, we cannot understand Ocalan. Not everyone is privileged to join the indefinite hunger strike. It is an honorable and sensitive stance. I respect these comrades who have devoted themselves to this historic responsibility,” Ece added.

Ayvaz Ece stated that he willingly joined the hunger strike, and said: “I decided upon my will, and some friends insisted that I reverse my decision since I am married and have three children. I told them that my choice was clear; if I cannot do something my leader now, when could I? I explained to them that this decision was a chance for me. I spoke to my wife before deciding to join the hunger strike. She said it might be difficult because of the children. I expressed my feelings to her. She respected the decision, and said she would always support me. I am glad and honored to be here.”

Source: Yeni Özgür Politika