Kurdish MP Güven’s release on Friday came after almost 80 days of hunger strike in Turkish jail

The decision by a Turkish court in Diyarbakır to release HDP lawmaker Leyla Güven has been warmly welcomed by Irish MEP Martina Anderson.

Güven had spent a year in jail after criticising Turkey’s military operation in the Kurdish town of Afrin in northern Syria. She went on hunger strike on 8th November in protest at the treatment of the Kurdish leader, Abdullah Öcalan, who has been held in solitary confinement by the Turkish regime since 1999.

Commenting on Güven’s release, Anderson said it demonstrates the importance of international solidarity and renewed calls for the release of all Kurdish political prisoners:

“The news that a Turkish Court has ordered the release of Kurdish MP and hunger striker Leyla Güven is welcome.”

“Her release should not be subject to any conditions given her position as a democratically elected member of parliament.

“I want to commend her supporters and campaigners, including her daughter who I met while attempting to visit Leyla Güven in prison,” she said.

“We now need to see the release of all other Kurdish political prisoners, including Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan who has been detained for 20 years.”

“The international community raised awareness of Leyla Güven’s plight and helped secure her release. This is a timely reminder of what can be achieved through international solidarity.”