Can Atalay begins hunger strike to demand parliamentary reinstatement

Imprisoned Turkish Workers’ Party (TİP) MP Can Atalay has launched a 24-hour hunger strike to demand the restoration of his parliamentary status and the implementation of Constitutional Court rulings.

Atalay, who was elected to represent the earthquake-affected province of Hatay, remains in Silivri prison despite two rulings from Turkey’s Constitutional Court declaring the removal of his parliamentary status “null and void.” The lawmaker stated that the situation has reached a “breaking point” and that his imprisonment is an unlawful denial of the voters' right to representation.

The hunger strike coincided with the opening of a new parliamentary session in Turkey. In protest, the TİP and the Social Freedom Party boycotted the session, while members of the pro-Kurdish DEM Party placed photographs of Atalay on parliamentary seats to highlight his absence.