Imprisoned Conscientious Objector on Hunger Strike for Roboski

Click to read the article in Turkish

Rights activist and conscientious objector Vasillis Yaylalı, who settled in Roboski village to act in solidarity with the families of 34 citizens who lost their lives in Roboski massacre, has gone on hunger strike in Elazığ Prison for one week due to the sixth year of Roboski massacre.

Arrested on April 22, 2017 on charges of “Insulting president”, “encouraging people not to comply with the law” and “propagandizing for an illegal organization”, sent a letter to his lawyer and Conscientious Objection Association Co-Chair Gökhan Soysal stating that he will be on hunger strike from December 21 to December 28 which is the anniversary of Roboski massacre.

“We know our reality very well”

In his letter, Yaylalı briefl said:

“Those who managed to have the internal judicial remedy completed without discharging even a single sergeant, are trying to get rid of the struggle we carry out for Roboski.

“They have the power, there is no denying to that. They can put is in prisons but it will not change our reality.

“Just a few days left for the anniversary of Roboski massacre. We will not accept this injustice even 60 years pass leave alone six years until justice is secured for Roboski, our beloved ones rest in peace in their graves, mothers from Roboski stop crying…” (EKN/TK)