MP Güven Released From Hospital After Ending Hunger Strike

Photo: Mezopotamya Agency

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People's Democratic Party (HDP) MP and Democratic Society Congress (DTK) Co-Chair Leyla Güven ended her hunger strike on May 26 after Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan's call: "Hunger strikes and death fasts reached their target. I expect them to be ended."

Güven began her hunger strike on November 8, 2018, demanding the "isolation on Öcalan" be lifted. The PKK leader had not been permitted to meet with his lawyers or family since 2011. Amid the hunger strikes by Güven and hundreds of other inmates, Öcalan met with his lawyers on May 2.

Güven was released from hospital yesterday (June 9) but she will receive further treatment for a while, the DTK said in a statement.

"Upon the advice by the doctors, to completely remove the effects of the hunger strike that lasted 200 days, the medical checkups needed to continue for a while," it said.

After that period is completed, Güven will resume her duty at the DTK and accepting visitors.

Sabiha Temizkan, Güven's daughter, said that her mother had to give a break from receiving visitors for a while to recover her health.

She also delivered a message from Güven: "I will be back stronger in the shortest time to embrace our people, especially the people of Hakkari." (HA/VK)