Gülmen and Özakça's lawyers are joining them on hunger strike

According to a report by Dihaber, a large number of civil society organisations, including the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey and the Istanbul Branch of the Human Rights Association, assembled in front of the Süreyya Opera in Kadıköy and staged a march in support of academic Nuriye Gülmen and teacher Semih Özakça, who have been on hunger strike for 107 days demanding reinstatement in their jobs.

The hundreds of people who assembled here marched to Khalkedon Square to ululation and applause carrying placards reading, ‘Let Nuriye and Semih’s demands be met’ and ‘Freedom for Nuriye and Semih.’ Passing citizens also cheered in support of the hundreds of people who were chanting the slogans, ‘Decrees with the force of law will go and we will stay’ and ‘Nuriye and Semih are not alone’ for the duration of the march. The crowd, having reached Khalkedon Square, unfurled a banner reading ‘Let Nuriye and Semih’s demands be met’ and made a press statement.

Health problems

Confederation of Public Employees' Trade Unions member Dursun Doğan made the joint press statement. Doğan, pointing out that the hunger strike was now on its 107th day, made known that from information given by the lawyers both of them were on the brink of heart failure. Doğan said, ‘Their forgetfulness is increasing due to problems they are experiencing over obtaining vitamin B1 and a whole host of health problems are in existence in which problems with comprehension and self-expression were manifesting themselves.’ Doğan, finally saying that they would not permit Özakça and Gülmen to be stripped of their rights to life and resistance and they would escalate solidarity, asked, ‘Why were Nuriye and Semih detained? Are you going to chasten them through hunger and death for the demand, “I want my job” made by all the resisting victims of decrees with the force of law?’

The lawyers are going on hunger strike

Next to speak was Özakça and Gülmen's lawyer Behiç Aşçı, who announced their intention to go on hunger strike, saying, ‘Nuriye and Semih are resisting, not just for themselves, but for all of us. We, their lawyers, will also take part in their resistance. We will be part of their resistance and will share their hunger.’

Slogans rang out as the protest ended following the making of the speeches.