29 September 2010
Families of prisoners are staging an hunger strike to protest against treatment of ill detainees
The hunger strike started by Diyar TUHAD-DER and the families of ill prisoners for the releasing of ill prisoners and against the increasing abuses of right, has entered its 3rd day. Worried about the lives of their ill relatives, the families are pining for their children, not their coffins.
Most of them being old, 50 people alternately go on hunger strike in the tent they set up in Koşuyolu Park. And many citizens visit the strike tent and support the families by not leaving them alone. The families hung banners and placards, the photos of the prisoners that died in prisons and the photos of the currently ill prisoners in all four sides of the tent, resisting against one more death in prison. With black arm bands, which are the symbol of hunger strikes, the relatives are hoping the liberation of their children. The resistance of the families is supported with this hope and the citizens visiting them.
It is possible to understand the demand of the families from the banners and placards. Banners "Ji girtîyên nexweş re azadî", “Let’s embrace our children”, “The government is responsible for deaths.”, “We want our children, not their coffins.” “Release our hearths” clearly reflect the demands and the reflections of families.
HUNGER STRIKE GOING ON WITH 50-MEN GROUPS
Families alternately stay on the strike with 50-men groups every day from 11.00 a.m till 11.00 a.m. the other day. Families follow the political agenda of the country closely from newspapers, while on the other side making evaluations with conversations all day long. The families are given moral support with Kurdish songs and halays (Anatolian folk dance) by DYG activist youth who visit the tent every night.
The hunger strike of the families is continuing in its 3rd day.
Translation: Berna Ozgencil
ANF / NEWS DESK
ANF NEWS AGENCY
