The pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) has begun a mass hunger strike as part of its protest against the detentions and arrests of DTP party members.

Party co-chairs, MPs, mayors and thousands of others gathered in Koşuyolu Park, the largest park in the southeastern city of Diyarbakır yesterday (3 May) and began a two-day hunger strike.

DTP party chair Ahmet Türk, deputy chair Emine Ayna, and Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipal Mayor Osman Baydemir were among the strikers.

DTP Diyarbakır MP Akın Birdal spoke with bianet about the protest.

“People need to be listened to”

“I interpret what has been done to the DTP as a misreading of the local election results, as a misunderstanding of what the people feel.”

He added, “People have to understand the message of peace of the crowd that includes children, mothers, and young people, a message for a democratic solution of the Kurdish question. I hope that after this two-day protest people will be listened to.”

Party co-chair Ahmet Türk had said “This attack on our party practically encourages people to go to the mountains (i.e. join the PKK).”

Birdal commented, “Türk criticised the fact that political channels were being obstructed by the state, he did not say that people would go to the mountains. He emphasised a democratic solution to the problem. Recognition of the issue is not enough anymore, there needs to be acceptance and constitutional change.”

In operations in 12 provinces, over 200 people had been detained and 52 were arrested, among them leading party members.

The protesters have gathered for the hunger strike in tents put up in the park. The protest started at 10 am. The strikers will only drink water, tea and coffee, but not eat anything until 4 pm today (4 May).

The DTP has further announced a rally in Van, eastern Turkey, on 23 May, and one in Istanbul the following day.