MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

Amed (Diyarbakır)- On November 27, 2023, political prisoners across Turkey started an alternating hunger strike, demanding “freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and a resolution to the Kurdish question”. Although they have been on hunger strike for more than 50 days, their demands have not been met. The “Justice Vigil” started by the relatives of prisoners, particularly mothers, to support the hunger strikers and be their voices continues.

The vigil led by the Association for Solidarity with the Families of Prisoners and Convicts (TUAY-DER) has been held at the building of the People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) in Amed. In an interview with NuJINHA, Xece Güneş, Co-chair of the TUAY-DER Amed branch, called on everyone not to leave the mothers alone and to be the voices of hunger strikers.

‘The determination of the mothers should be a model for everyone’

“The mothers, who have been sitting here for one and a half months, are the mothers, who have faced all kinds of oppression. But they never give up the struggle,” said Xece Güneş, noting that the silence against the hunger strike in society must be broken. “The vigil has been held not only here but also in many cities. Our demands are very clear: isolation should end and social peace should prevail. The determination of the mothers should be a model for everyone. We hold the vigil not for ourselves but for the whole society. Everyone should support the vigil started for the hunger strikers.”

‘Their demands must be met before they start an indefinite hunger strike’

The alternating hunger strike started by the political prisoners will last until February 15. “We do not want prisoners to die in prison. That is why the demands of the hunger strikers must be met immediately. This hunger strike will end if the isolation is lifted. The isolation should be lifted now. Their demands must be met before they start an indefinite hunger strike. We will keep supporting the hunger strikers and be their voices.”

‘They are subjected to more violations’

Xece Güneş pointed to the increase in violations against political prisoners since they started the hunger strike. “All hunger strikers are held in solitary confinement. The hunger strikers are not given vitamins. They are banned from family visits under the pretext of disciplinary punishments. Since November 27, many political prisoners have been subjected to torture. Their demands are humanitarian and legal demands. We should raise our voice against the torture in prisons.”

‘Social peace can be achieved’

Xece Güneş believes that social peace can be achieved if the door of Imrali is opened. “Social peace must be achieved in Turkey and it can be achieved if the door of Imrali is opened. The current war and chaos affect everyone. As mothers, we demand peace. We will demand peace to the end. We will keep struggling until the isolation is lifted.”