HUNGER STRIKE BY LEYLA GÜVEN MP

Early day motion 1959, tabled 9 January 2019 by Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party). Signed by 46 members.

That this House is concerned that the hunger strike in Turkey by Leyla Güven MP of the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) has reached its third month and that she is in a critical condition; notes that her protest has inspired others to hunger strike, including Ilhan Sis in Newport, South Wales, UK who is now on an indefinite hunger strike, and that 156 other Kurds held in Turkish prisons are now also on indefinite hunger strikes; is further concerned for the welfare of those hunger strikers following reports that they have not been given sufficient water or vitamin supplements; expresses regret that the central demand for the end of the cruel isolation imposed on Abdullah Öcalan, the Kurdish leader, and the persecution of the Kurdish people in Turkey has gone unheard; and believes that urgent dialogue on this issue is necessary for these hunger strikes to end and for a tragedy to be avoided.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 20, Labour 12, Plaid Cymru 4, Labour/Co-operative 3, Independent 2, Liberal Democrat 2, Conservative 1, DUP 1, Green 1.