Leyla Güven calls for common struggle for ill prisoners

The vigil for justice launched by families in the premises of Amed Bar Association demanding the release of ill prisoners and of those who have been denied release on probation is continuing on its 43rd day. Today, representatives of various organisations and political parties paid a solidarity visit to the vigil.

During the visit, Sunay Aslan from the Federation of Legal and Solidarity Associations for Families of Prisoners and Convicts (MED TUHAD-FED) read the letter sent by Leyla Güven, Co-chair of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK), who has been held in Elazığ Women’s Closed Prison.

“Every hour, minute and second are vital for ill prisoners. Therefore, everyone should take action without wasting time. All of us will be responsible for each coffin coming out of the prisons”, said Leyla Güven in her letter.

Addressing the families who have been holding a vigil for justice in Amed for 43 days, Güven said, “We respectfully salute the vigil that you launched for ill prisoners. Your demands are demands of the whole Kurdish people. We know that our comrades have never surrendered to the existing system although they have suffered serious diseases in dungeons. It is unbelievable, but this state is scared of ill prisoners. If they were not, they would not keep 1500 people in dungeons, such as 83-year-old Mehmet Emin Özkan or Ergin Aktaş who lost both of his hands, despite the medical reports confirming that ill prisoners cannot stay in jail. Obviously, this is because of the hostility of the existing political power against the Kurds.”

Underlining that next generations will be proud of the resistance of ill prisoners, Güven paid tribute to brave political prisoners “who chose to go out in coffins instead of begging for mercy.”

“All NGOs, democratic mass organisations, political parties, families of 10 thousand political prisoners, and our people should build a common struggle and stand with the Vigil for Justice”, said Güven, and urged the Kurdish people, especially women and youth, to enhance the struggle.

“You have waged many historic resistances throughout history. You have obtained many impossible gains. Doubtlessly, you will succeed again,” the Kurdish politician said.

“Speaking after, Herdem Mervanî, one of the relatives of prisoners, said, “Every voice is a glimmer of hope for all of us”, adding, “Leyla Güven’s letter is very important to us. We do not want more deaths in prisons. We demand the release of all ill prisoners and of those who have been denied release on probation.”

Today, the justice vigil was visited by Amed Deputy of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Dersim Dağ, members of the Kurdish Free Women’s Movement (TJA), HDP Youth Council, Federation of Legal and Solidarity Associations for Families of Prisoners and Convicts (MED TUHAD-FED), Lawyers’ Association for Freedom (ÖHD) and Leyla Güven’s daughter Sabiha Temizkan.