AMED - Prisoners are resisting for the physical freedom of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan with their hunger strike action and their mothers with their support action. Prisoner relatives said: "If the isolation is abolished, the issues will end. We want freedom."

 

The hunger strike action launched by prisoners in prison within the scope of the "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, solution to the Kurdish issue" campaign is on its 47th day. Justice Watch actions initiated by prisoners' relatives with similar demands in many cities continue. The protest initiated by relatives of prisoners in Amed is on its 40th day. Relatives of prisoners living in different districts of Amed also frequently visit the action. Relatives of prisoners in Licê spoke about the ongoing action and their demands.

 

MOTHERS ON DUTY FOR 40 DAYS

 

Mother of Ferhat Önkol, who was among the second group to go on hunger strike, Firaset Özbek said: "Our children say, 'We want freedom. We are not comfortable as long as there is no freedom.' They say, 'There has been no news from the Leader (Öcalan) for how many years.' That's why they go on hunger strike. We want freedom too."

 

Firaset Özbek

 

Emphasizing that the action of the prisoners will not end until the isolation on Abdullah Öcalan is abolished, mother Özbek said: "We also stand behind our children. If the isolation is abolished, it will be abolished from everyone. Our children will also stop the hunger strike. If the isolation is abolished, all issues will end."

 

'WE WANT TO SEE THE LEADER'

 

Şükran Baygeldi, the mother of Sedat Baygeldi, who is imprisoned in Antalya Type S Closed Prison and started the hunger strike with the last group, stated that her son had participated in the hunger strike before. Stating that she was worried about her son's health condition, Baygeldi shared that her son told her in the last meeting: "If the state does not do anything for Abdullah Öcalan until February 15, the hunger strike will continue indefinitely."

 

Şükran Baygeldi

 

Baygeldi said: “Until the Leader is released, our entire cause is futile. No one should deceive anyone. We want to see the Leader. The Leader must be released. Everybody, let's sit in front of İmralı until Abdullah Öcalan is released."

 

DEMAND FOR FREEDOM

 

Hazal Polat, the mother of prisoner Kemal Polat, who was among the second group to go on hunger strike, emphasized that they stand behind the demands of their children. Anne Polat said: "Isolation reflects badly on the prisons. They are also in isolation. But since there is no news from the Leader, everyone is wondering. The prisoners say, 'If he is comfortable, we are comfortable.' If the isolation is abolished from Abdullah Öcalan, it will be abolished from the prisoners as well."

 

Hazal Polat

 

Anne Polat recalled the dialogue process that continued between 2013 and 2015 and emphasized that something good could happen with the initiation of negotiations. Polat said: "The hunger strike will not end until Öcalan is free, it will continue. All segments of society should fight for this. We do not want death to happen again. Our Leader should be free so that our children can be free along with him."

 

MA / Rukiye Adıgüzel