‘End Isolation’ Statement by HDP, Support by Artists for Leyla Güven on Hunger Strike

* Photograph: Twitter - HDP Central Office

Click to read the article in Turkish

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Pervin Buldan has made a statement for the press regarding HDP Hakkari MP and Democratic Society Congress (DTK) Co-Chair Leyla Güven, who has been on the 110th day of her hunger strike, as well as the ongoing hunger strikes in prisons.

Held in front of the HDP Central Office in Ankara, the statement for the press was also attended by HDP Co-Chair Sezai Temelli and MPs of the party.

Here are some of the highlights from the statement:

"Isolation is not solely a problem of HDP or Kurds"

"We will hold a joint meeting with the Central Executive Committee and Parliamentary Group today (February 25) and do planning about what we will do about hunger strikes.

"The protest of Leyla Güven has gone beyond the critical point, but there is a government which does not take any steps despite all calls.

"I would like to emphasize that isolation is not solely a problem of the HDP or that of the Kurdish people.

"That is why, it should not be limited to us, statements demanding an end to isolation should not solely be made by the HDP.

"Güven is the only MP who has not taken an oath"

"Mustafa Şentop was elected as the Parliamentary Speaker yesterday. As of today, his primary task should be to take a step in such a way to pay attention to the demand of Leyla Güven.

"Because Leyla Güven has remained as the only MP who has not yet taken her oath and started her parliamentary activities.

"While every inmate has the right to meet his or her family and attorneys, isolation cannot solely be imposed on İmralı, on Dear [Abdullah] Öcalan (Kurdistan Workers Party's imprisoned leader).

"Just like everyone else in prisons, Öcalan also has these rights. As we have previously underlined, preventing or restraining these rights means a complete isolation.

"As bodies are becoming thinner and thinner and people are going towards death before the eyes of everyone, Justice and Development Party (AKP) should not remain silent to this and isolation should definitely be ended."

'Hear the Voice of Leyla Güven' Call by Artists

Speaking to Elif Aydoğmuş from Yeni Yaşam (New Life) newspaper, several artists have made statements of support and solidarity for Leyla Güven.

Some of these messages are as follows:

Actress Füsun Demirel

"It is certainly saddening that Leyla Güven has been on a hunger strike. The demands have to be discussed as soon as possible."

Actor Levent Üzümcü

"If there exists a group of people in a country who would view the death of a person on hunger strike as an achievement, everyone in that country should be ashamed of themselves.

"If a living being protests something that she finds wrong by laying down her life, then the authorities should step back and think.

"Authorities should support the life of those living beings, not their death, because that is what a state is all about."

Actress and musician Deniz Türkali

"I am very sorry, I want that this hunger strike should not happen. I love Leyla very much. Isolation is against the laws. I want that the issue of isolation completely disappears. This totally unlawful situation has to be eliminated. I have an objection against the isolation itself."

Fashion designer Barbaros Şansal

"In a geography which has an hunger for democracy, freedom and law, the resistance of Leyla Güven and several others are giving a message to the world. Isolation, torture, smear and autocracy cannot hinder the fraternity and struggle of the peoples.

"The right to an equal life has to protected. A fair justice has to be immediately established."

Musician Ferhat Tunç

"The current policy of isolation has it as its aim to eliminate the humanitarian values that we have. The rightfulness of these hunger strikes are partly based on this. It is, without a doubt, the duty of everyone who says that 'I am a human' to defend life.

"Today, Leyla Güven is the pioneer of this resistance at the risk of her life. We also have our duties. In the face of these developments, artists also have a big responsibility. Artists are expected to be more sensitive than everyone.

"That is why, especially artists should lay claim to this resistance with more courage. They have to act in an effort to make people live. What is expected from an artist is to hear and embrace the hope and sorrows of people, not to disregard them." (EKN/SD)

* Sources: Mezopotamya Agency (MA) and Yeni Yaşam Newspaper