Leyla Güven: 156 days on hunger strike

DTK co-chair and HDP Hakkari MP, Leyla Güven, has reached day 156 of her hunger strike demanding the end of isolation against Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan.

Her hunger strike resistance has being joined by thousands of prisoners in Kurdish and Turkish jails. Leyla Güven has began her fast on 8 November, while a first group of prisoners followed her on 16 December and many more on 1 March.

Sebahat Tuncel, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) co-chair, and HDP former Hakkari MP Selma Irmak, Hakkari went on hunger strike on 15 January in Kandıra No.1 F-Type Closed Prison where they are jailed and are now on their 87th day of fast.

Likewise, three HDP deputies, Amed MP Dersim Dağ and Van MPs Tayip Temel and Murat Sarısaç have gone on hunger strike in Diyarbakır Provincial Organization premises on 3 March.

Visitors have been going to see Leyla Güven at her house since she was released from Amed prison, in an attempt by the State to stop the resistance. 

Despite her health getting worse, the HDP Hakkari MP has reiterated her determination to continue the hunger strike until isolation is lifted.