Hunger strike action in Amûdê demands “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan”

People organise two-day hunger strikes across North-East Syria in solidarity with political prisoners in Turkey, on hunger strike since 27 November to support the international campaign "Freedom for Öcalan, A Political Solution to the Kurdish Question".

Cizre Canton People's Initiative started a hunger strike with the slogan "We salute the resistance in prisons and we will liberate our Leader with the spirit and values of the martyrs". The action followed the hunger strikes launched in Dêrik, Girke Legê, Qamîşlo and Til Hemîs recently.

The symbolic two-day hunger strike actions in North-East Syria are taking place as part of the international campaign "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, a political solution to the Kurdish question", launched worldwide on 10 October. Members of civil society organisations, representatives of political parties, council members and many people participated in the hunger strike. Images of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan and SDF flags were hung on the tent set up in the area where the School Administration building is located in the district. The action is also taking place in solidarity with the political prisoners on hunger strike in Turkey and North Kurdistan under the motto "We salute the resistance in the dungeons and we will liberate the Leader with the spirit and values of the martyrs".

On 27 November, members of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) and PAJK (Party of Free Women in Kurdistan) imprisoned in Turkey went on hunger strike in support of the international campaign. The hunger strike will be carried out in alternating groups from 27 November to 15 February. 

The hunger strike in the Amûde district in Qamishlo Canton is taking place in a tent opened in the Free Women's Square, decorated with posters of Abdullah Öcalan.

In addition to civil and assembly organisations, Kongra Star representatives, members of the Syrian Revolutionary Youth Movement and the Young Women's Union are also participating in the hunger strike.

Addressing the crowd, Zîwer Elî, co-chair of the Council of Martyrs' Families in Amûdê, said, "Our participation in this action is an indication of our commitment to the Leader" and called for the expansion of the struggle for his freedom.

Mihemed Edolê read a poem describing Abdullah Öcalan's struggle.

Arşek Beravî, a member of the Union of Intellectuals in the Cizir Canton, said: "Until the physical freedom of Leader Abdullah Öcalan is achieved, we must remain committed to our struggle and spread his ideas and philosophy in society to achieve peace in the world."

People from the towns and villages of Amûde are also expected to participate in the action.