Strasbourg, 13 April 2012 - The Secretary General of the Council of Europe today issued the following statement:

"The hunger strikes in Turkey and Strasbourg have been going on for several weeks and I am deeply concerned about the women and men who are putting their health and lives at risk.

Their action also creates obstacles to the work of the relevant Council of Europe bodies, in particular the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, which can only be effective if they are able to carry out their mandate without any undue influence or pressure.

This is why I would like to appeal to all who have approached me over the last few weeks, to use any influence they may have with the hunger strikers to bring their action to an end. Because it is putting their lives in danger and because it is counterproductive in terms of what the Council of Europe can do.”
 

Read also: 

27 March 2012 - Letter to Members of the European Parliament