PKK leader calls for an end to hunger strike

by admin
Nov 17, 2012

The jailed leader of the PKK, Abdullah Ocalan, called for an end to the 67 day hunger strike of Kurdish prisoners in Turkey, raising speculation that an agreement had been found to end the protest.

In a statement, Ocalan's brother Mehmet said,

"Today I went to see my brother Abdullah Ocalan face-to-face in Imrali prison,"

"He wants me to share immediately with the public his call about the hunger strikes... This action has achieved its goal. Without any hesitation, they should end the hunger strike."

The hunger strike protest by over 1700 Kurds jailed in Turkey demanded an end to Ocalan's isolation, along with other demands such as access to legal counsel and Kurdish language rights.

Earlier this month, the Turkish government said it would submit a reform to parliament to allow defendants to speak in languages other than Turkish whilst at court.

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