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European leaders asked to act against wide spread hunger strikes, started with the aim of getting Ankara to recognize Ocalan’s rights

Turkey has not allowed Ocalan to see any family members since September 2016, and his lawyers since 2011.

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TOP LAWMAKERS in Europe have been called on to take action against the actions of Ankara that has seen hundreds imprisoned as they are pro-Kurdish.

Selahattin Demirtas, the imprisoned former co-chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) on Tuesday wrote a letter to the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE).

The letter’s purpose was regarding the 320 people currently on a hunger strike in protest against the isolation terms of outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader, Abdullah Ocalan.

Turkey has not allowed Ocalan to see any family members since September 2016, and his lawyers since 2011.

Demirtas, who has been imprisoned for more than two years on terrorism charges, wrote: “My lawmaker friend dear Leyla Guven, a member of Turkey’s parliament, has been on a hunger strike for 104 days as of this letter is being written. Three hundred and twenty more are continuing their hunger strike in or outside prisons.

“The only demand of their strike, now reaching deadly limits, is to swiftly end the isolation terms being implemented against Ocalan, in order to restore the rule of law, peace and dialogue.”

Demirtas went to point out the demand of the hunger strike is rightful, just and legitimate. He asserted the demand is a realistic one that could improve stability and peace in Syria, Turkey and even Europe itself.

The letter of the former HDP leader concluded by saying: “I believe you will hear the cries of people who risk death for peace and democracy and the cries of millions who support them. I believe you will support with all means necessary to mold the public opinion and to enable the fulfillment of the legitimate demands of the strikers as soon as possible.”

Source: ipa

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