İSTANBUL – Çetin Yıldız who is on a hunger strike demanding the isolation on PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan to be removed and the violations in prisons to end in Tarsus No 2 Type F Prison, told that they won't take a step back until their demands are met.
The hunger strike launched by the prisoners against the violations of rights in prisons and isolation of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan left behind 3 months. Çetin Yıldız who was arrested in 2017 was accused of 'being a member of an illegal organization' while he was a student in Kırşehir University, went on a hunger strike foe 123 days against the imposition of standing up during counts.
Yıldız who was later transferred to Mersin Tarsus No 2 Type T Prison, now has joined the ongoing hunger strike.
Yıldız spoke to his brother on the phone and told that the violations of rights have been increasing lately. Brother Yıldız who told that he hasn't seen his brother for months due to the pandemic, said his brother told him that they recieve their letters and cargos too late. Yıldız also told that many prisoners are held in solitary confinement for 7-8 months and that there are no pillows and blankets in these cells. Yıldız added that her brother told him that the water runs only for an hour despite the pandemic and they can not access masks and latex gloves in the canteen."
Protesting the Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca, Yıldız said: "The minister appears on televisions every night making statements people must use masks, and follow the rules of social distance and hygiene. He should take a look at the prisons. Prisoners don't even have access to water. How can hygiene be maintained under these circumstances?"
ISOLATION MUST BE LIFTED
Explaining that his brother told him that they won't step back unless their demands are met, Yıldız said he was concerned about the hunger strikes during the pandemic. Yıldız said: "I don't know what will happen and how this will end. They must do something before it's too late, before someone dies. The isolation on Mr. Öcalan must be lifted."