Solidarity on Day 200 of Zehra Kurtay’s hunger strike

On the 200th day of Zehra Kurtay’s indefinite hunger strike for her right to residence and political asylum in France, on January 17, people across Europe and even in a few other countries joined a one-day solidarity hunger strike to support her demands.

A total of 326 people participated in the hunger strike.

Austria: 51 UK: 33 France: 33 Netherlands: 15 Germany: 51 Switzerland: 36 Belgium: 29 Sweden: 5 Norway: 2 Denmark: 1 Saudi Arabia: 4 Qatar: 1 Russia: 1 Antakya (Turkey): 11 Greece: 53

Just a few days before, Zehra was confronted once again with the threat to be extradited to Turkey. On January 12, a court hearing took place in Paris, after the Val de Marne Prefecture filed a third lawsuit for her extradition, which was earlier rejected twice by court decisions. On January 19, the extradition was refused for the third time.

The hearing for this third case took place on January 12th in Paris, the capital of France. Over a hundred people, including two Members of Parliament, were present in front of the court, in solidarity with Zehra.

In the third hearing, the governor’s lawyer reiterated the same grounds without any changes, requesting Zehra Kurtay’s extradition to Turkey.

According to the governor’s lawyer, there was no fascism in Turkey, no torture, and the PKK had already laid down its arms and disbanded itself. Therefore, Zehra’s extradition to Turkey did not pose the danger that was claimed. The fact that Zehra Kurtay was on the wanted list was of little importance because those lists were not enforced.

In response to the governor’s absurdities, Zehra Kurtay’s lawyer, in her defense, recounted Ayten Öztürk’s experiences to counter claims that there is no torture in Türkiye. She also reiterated that journalists, writers, dissidents, and revolutionaries face life-threatening dangers in the country. She emphasized that those published on the lists have been targeted by fascism.

The judge adjourned the hearing, stating that the court’s decision would be announced on January 19th.

Finally, yesterday on January 19, the court decided to reject the extraditon demand for Zehra Kurtay, a political journalist and refugee from Turkey.

By this date, Zehra has been on hunger strike for 202 days at a weigh of only 36 kilograms. Her struggle for her right to residence and political asylum continues.

Without doubt, her long-term resistance and the internationalist solidarity of many peoples who supported her demand were the basis for this decision.