7th Day of Hunger Strike

We enter the seventh day of the hunger strike by the Basque prisoners demading their political prisoner status.

Here is a few notes about the coverage of this issue:

At Berria:

EPPK on indefinite hunger strike to get political status recognised

The Basque Political Prisoners’ Group (EPPK) has begun an indefinite hunger strike today to get the political status of Basque prisoners’ recognised. In a statement sent to BERRIA, the group, which brings together the 700 plus Basque prisoners dispersed throughout the world, explained that an indefinite hunger strike was part of the ongoing struggle it began at the beginning of January in support of their political status. This is the first time that the Basque prisoners in the EPPK have gone on a hunger strike all together at the same time.

At EITB:

Basque Political Prisoners Association begins indefinite hunger strike

In the press release, the group concedes that within these dynamics they have carried out protest acts. However, "Spanish and French governments have had a punishing attitude" with disciplinary files and denying communications "apart from infringing other rights," as they have denounced.

With this "new step" they reaffirm their stance "to keep on fighting indefinitely until each and every one of our rights is respected, as well as our political status. Only thus will we gain a decent way of life; only thus will we occupy the natural space corresponding to the Basque political process," the association representing more than 700 Basque prisoners in jails around the world affirms.

The Belfast Telegraph:

SF backing for Basque hunger strike

Sinn Fein today expressed solidarity with Basque political prisoners who began a hunger strike last week.

Over 700 Basque prisoners have entered into the hunger strike in a bid to secure political status in a move strongly echoing the 1981 protest here in Northern Ireland.

Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney, former leader of the IRA hunger strikers, said that governments around the world had not learned any new lessons over the last 25 years.

Hopefully the advanced and democratic societies of Europe will listen.

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