Sema Çağlak - Şehriban Aslan

 

DİYARBAKIR - The families of the prisoners, who criticized the silence regarding the hunger strikes, noted that they did not want their children to die. Emphasizing that the struggle should be total, the families called for sensitivity so that all the burden is not placed on the shoulders of the prisoners. 

 

Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) and Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) prisoners started a hunger strike on November 27, 2020, against the end of the aggravated isolation imposed on PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan and the violations of rights in the prisons. While the action has been going on for 207 days, violations of rights against prisons continue increasingly. It was stated by the families that the prisoners who went on strike were put in single cells, while their right to access to nutrition and health was restricted. It was also reported that in many prisons, the wards of the prisoners were frequently raided, and books, radios, letters, and personal belongings of the prisoners were confiscated in these raids.

 

On the other hand, all applications of lawyers who want to go to Imralı Prison for meeting are rejected on similar grounds.

 

‘We do not want our children to die’

 

Muhammed Kartal, who has been held in Diyarbakır D Type Prison for three years, has been exiled to F Type Prison No. 1 a short time ago. Muhammed's mother, Afife Kartal, said that sufficient sensitivity was not provided to the hunger strike actions and said, "We do not want our children to die." Afife stated: “The prisoners have been on hunger strike for more than 200 days. There are those who previously went on an indefinite and no rotating hunger strike and stayed on action for months. Most of their bodies have weakened. Despite this, they are now on a rotating strike with a great will. We need to give them a voice. Prisoners say, ‘Why are you so quiet? Speak out against the isolation’, but there is nothing we can do on our own. Prison conditions are very harsh right now. They try very hard, but they never think of taking a step back. Then we need to do something and extent their actions.”

 

‘We should not leave the prisoners alone in their actions’

 

Afife stated that cameras were placed in the wards of the prisoners, the hot water was cut off and the food served was bad, adding that stones were found for the food given. Stating that those who were on strike were put in single cells, according to the prisoners' expressions. Afife called, saying: “They probably want to kill our children with what they are doing. There is no way to eat anymore. Each time, their wards are raided and put in cells as torture. Those who oppose and do not accept it are subject to disciplinary punishment. Let all families revolt against this cruelty. Protect their children's rights. Let them hear and see what their children are going through. We must fight together. We should not leave the prisoners alone in their actions.”

 

‘Pain burns our hearts’

 

Hatun Yayık, one of the prisoners' relatives, stated that her son Mustafa Yayık has been imprisoned for two years and was transferred from Diyarbakır D-Type to Diyarbakır High-Security F-Type, and noted that she was always nervous because her son was imprisoned. Hatun said: "The meals given to the prisoners are not proper meals. Their wards are raided. Then they are tortured. The pain we suffer as Kurdish mothers hurts our hearts. We have been paying a price for years. We are giving martyrs for this cause. We could not find the bodies or bones of some young people. Our dead do not return home, nor are these pains forgotten."

 

‘Why is nobody making a sound?’

 

Stating that they do not want mothers to shed tears anymore, Hatun said: "We want the persecution to end. What right do they have to inflict such cruelty on us? They have put our young people within four walls. We should not put all the burden on the prisoners’ shoulders. Our prisoners are resisting for our people. What is this silence? Why is nobody making a sound? Everyone needs to lay claim to the prisoners."