The hunger strikes that have continued for months demanding an end to the isolation were ended the other day with Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s call. HDP Adana MP Kemal Peköz spoke to the ANF about the current situation and the path to be taken in the future.

HDP MP said 8 people sacrificed their lives to end the isolation and, stating that the hunger strikes were righteous, continued: “Our friends in prisons and those on the outside participating in the protest all went on these hunger strikes to have this demand met, this constitutional right to be exercised. The protest has ended in victory after 200 days, and has left us the memory of those who gave their lives for this cause. The first point in the agenda now is of course these friends getting back their health.”

Peköz stressed that the government dismissing the warnings has cost 8 lives: “Only through sitting down and talking politics, and taking steps without blocking channels will bring peace to peoples, not discourse and policies to feed the war. We saw this before, it is possible to attain that atmosphere of peace again through negotiations. The steps taken recently in the military arena have dragged the country into a deeper quicksand. We hope that after this point at least these policies will be inverted.”

“IF STEPS ARE TAKEN TO FEED POLICIES OF WAR THE RESULT WILL BE DIRE”

Peköz said the hunger strikes have ended but time will tell to what extent the law will actually be implemented, and added that it is important that there are regular meetings with Ocalan, and that his perspectives are of great significance. Pekoz said these meetings are not just in the interest of the Kurdish people and that they are important for all of Turkey and the Middle East: “Meetings with Mr. Ocalan and the messages he will send will for sure benefit Turkey. The path to peoples living in equality and the establishment of a peaceful atmosphere is through Imrali.”

Peköz said Turkey is experiencing serious trouble both domestically and in the international sphere: “Any steps to be taken regarding the Kurds change the balance in Turkey, in the Middle East and throughout the world. Us as Middle Eastern countries will benefit from these steps being positive. We think negotiations should begin as soon as possible. But if steps are taken to feed the policies of war instead of negotiations, the results will be even more dire than today.”

IMPORTANT PERSONS IN THE COMMUNITY SHOULD ALSO VISIT OCALAN

The deputy for Adana said ensuring regular meetings with Ocalan will be closely monitored from now on and concluded with: “Of course the priority demand was that Mr. Ocalan is allowed to meet with his lawyers and family, which is important to us. So much so that, if a constructive path is to be taken, there is benefit in important persons loved and respected in the community visiting Ocalan, not just his family and lawyers, and relaying his ideas to the public. Prominent individuals in society meeting with Ocalan on occasion is completely beneficial for the peoples and could lead to important steps to be taken in Turkey.”