Female leaders from Western Sahara stated that they are in solidarity with DTK Co-chair and HDP Hakkari MP Leyla Guven who is on day 100 of her hunger strike today, and demanded an immediate end to the isolation imposed upon Ocalan.
Four renowned leaders from the Western Saharan women’s movement issued a message via the ANF and stated that HDP Hakkari MP Leyla Guven is not alone. The solidarity message was issued by Saharan Women National Union administrator Rabub Barka, Smara Refugee Women’s Union Chair Enguia Salem, District Bir Lehlou Refugee Women’s Union Fatimatu Ahmed Larusi and political activist Najla Mohamediamin.
Rabub Barka spoke to the ANF representing the Western Saharan women and said they stand with Guven, demanding an immediate end to the strict isolation imposed upon Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan. Barka said they stand with all women who resist injustice and tyranny and said:
“Similarly, we stand with Leyla Guven and the Kurdish women’s movement. The whole world should show Guven that they are in solidarity with her, we believe her protest will achieve results this way.”
Hunger strike is a method also frequently employed by the Polisario Front, who have been fighting for the freedom of Western Sahara since 1973. The most recent instance was in 2009 when Western Saharan female politician Aminatou Haidar went on a 32 day hunger strike upon her deportation from Al Aaiun to Lanzarote. Haidar had received widespread international support and her resistance had resulted in victory as she was sent back to Western Sahara.
