ISTANBUL - ESP and SGDF members, who started a 3-day hunger strike in Kadıköy, emphasized that the address of the democratic solution to the Kurdish issue is Imralı.

 

The hunger strike action launched by political prisoners on November 27, demanding the physical freedom of PKK Leader Abdullah Ocalan, who is held in absolute isolation in Imralı Type F High Security Closed Prison, and the solution of the Kurdish issue, has entered its 60th day. Relatives of prisoners are also protesting Justice Watch in many cities with similar demands. Members of the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) and the Federation of Socialist Youth Associations (SGDF) also started a 3-day hunger strike in support of the protests on January 23 at the ESP Provincial Organization building in Kadıköy. Those on hunger strike spoke about their actions.

 

'THE ONLY WAY IS FIGHT'

 

SGDF member Gamze Toprak stated that there was an attempt to isolate the Kurds with the Imralı isolation. Toprak said: "Prisoners continue to be subjected to isolation. Their constitutional rights are denied. They are tortured by being thrown into sponge rooms. The only way to break these is to fight. The basis for us going on a hunger strike is to end the worsening isolation conditions of the prisoners. There has been an increasing isolation on the Kurds’ Leader Abdullah Ocalan for 3 years. At the same time, we went through a period where no news was received. The state is also at an impasse. In this case, they try to solve the process by becoming more aggressive. We want to expand the united struggle against isolation in prisons.”

 

 

'WE WILL TAKE THE ISSUES TO THE STREET'

 

Erol Tunç, one of the ESP Provincial Organization managers in the protest, said that the state wants to disorganize the left and socialist segments with its special war policies. Tunç said: "There has been a hunger strike throughout Turkey since November 27. Based on this, there is a Justice Watch carried out by mothers in DEM party buildings. There is an isolation especially on the island of Imralı. They have not been allowed to meet with their lawyers for 3 years. We are faced with such an isolation. We will take these issues to the streets. We will continue to raise this voice in every field.”

 

IMRALI IS THE ADDRESS OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOLUTION

 

SGDF member Mazlum Ortaç emphasized that the democratic solution to the Kurdish issue passes through Imralı. Stating that the isolation can be abolished with the organized struggle of the youth, Ortaç said: "We started a 3-day hunger strike on January 23. The democratic demands of the Kurds do not want to be solved. We know that the democratic solution to the Kurdish issue passes through Imralı. We aim to organize in the united youth struggle against the isolation. The fascist regime has started a war against the Kurds. Against this, we call on the united youth struggle and youth organizations to come together and be a voice in the streets and squares for the hunger strike started in prisons.”