'If millions are raising their voices, they must be responded'

2019-02-23 11:22:25


	İSTANBUL- The families of the hunger strikers are waiting for the isolation on Öcalan to be terminated. Nedim Yıldırım, brother of a hunger striker, Cesim Yıldırım said: "If millions are raising their voices for something, they must be responded."

	The hunger strike initiated by Democratic Society (DTK)  Congress Co-chair and People's Democratic Party (HDP) Hakkari Deputy Leyla Güven with the demand of terminating the isolation on PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan is on its 108th day. 317 prisoners from 62 prisons are still on hunger strike with the same demand.

	 

	Cesim Yıldırım who is on a hunger strike since January 5 in Maltepe No 1 Type L Closed Prison, stayed in prisons like Tekirdağ and Silivri since 2009.

	 

	Nedim Yıldırım who said he spoke to his brother who is on a hunger strike on the phone, said: "They have one demand and that is the termination of the isolation. They are saying that they will not be ending the hunger strike unless their demand is met."

	 

	Yıldırım who said that the isolation is practiced upon the whole Kurdish community, said: "Our demand is the same demand of the political prisoners. We want the isolation to be terminated as soon as possible. No one should die. That's our whole deal. If millions are raising their voices for something, they must be responded."

	 

	Yıldırım thinks the hunger strike is still not on the agenda enough despite the reactions and continuing actions. Yıldırım said: "There are 3 million Kurds living in İstanbul right now. If we count the socialists and democrats it is 4 millions. If the half of them would raise their voices, they were to respond the families of the hunger strikers.

	 

	Yıldırım who emphasized that people need to make the voices of the prisoners heard, said: "Everyone out there need to tell about the hunger strikes out. More than 300 prisoners are on hunger strike and their lives are in danger.Everyone should do what they can do best."