The Party of the European Left (EL) is relieved that the hunger strike of the hundreds of political prisoners in Turkey ended without losing lives, although the health of many might have suffered greatly, since many had been on hunger strike for a long time, some for 68 days. We hope that the end of the hunger strike indicates the beginning of a consistent and sincere dialogue.
We are aware that the human rights situation in Turkey has deteriorated dramatically during the last year. Over 100 journalists, many trade unionists, feminists and other intellectuals and opposition figures, all in all more than 10,000 - mostly Kurdish- political prisoners are now detained in a Turkish prison. The repression of the Turkish state is directed also against other increasingly confident oppositional politicians, who are in solidarity with the Kurdish movement or express criticism against the government in other areas. In addition military operations in the Kurdish territories occur on a nearly daily basis.
The Party of the European Left acknowledges that the demands of the prisoners are in accordance with international law and human rights. The hunger strikers have risked their lives and their health to start a dialogue. They want to have the right to defend themselves in a court of law in their own mother tongue; they want education in the Kurdish language and the end of the incommunicado detention of Abdullah Ocalan. The legislative initiative of the Turkish government so far cannot be seen as a serious concession, because the possibility to use the Kurdish language in court – according to the current legislative initiative – is depending on the consent of the judges.

The EL supports the non-violent struggle of the political prisoners for human rights and democracy. The EL calls on the Erdogan government to finally start sincere negotiations and a real peace process. The European governments must respond to the dire human rights situation in Turkey and must strongly press for respect of human rights and towards political negotiations.

EL Executive Board meeting, Copenhagen, 2012-11-17/18