On 14 July 1982, a death fast began in the prison known as "the hell of Amed". With society outside still in shock after the 1980 military coup, the prisoners launched a campaign of resistance to protest the prison conditions.
The action is considered the initial spark and a revolutionary sign that fueled the resistance in North Kurdistan.
55 days after the death fast began, PKK cadre Kemal Pir lost his life. Prisoners Mehmet Hayri Durmuş, Ali Çiçek and Akif Yılmaz also died in the course of the action. The Death Fast has since been referred to as the "Great Resistance of 14 July".
The four hunger strikers died. At the age of 30, Kemal Pir died on the 55th day of the death fast, after losing his eye-sight. Until this day, he is honoured as an embodiment of the radical and internationalist spirit of the movement and a bridge between the struggling Turkish and Kurdish people.
The four PKK leading figures fell martyr as a result of the hunger strike. At the age of 30, Kemal Pir died on the 55th day of the death fast, after losing his eye-sight. He is an embodiment of the radical and internationalist spirit of the movement and a bridge for the struggling Turkish and Kurdish people.
Mehmet Hayri Durmuş had announced the start of a death fast in court. “There is violence in prison. – he had said - Dozens of friends have been killed, hundreds of people wounded and it is still unclear how many people will be killed. Yes, I say "Enough is enough" and I am entering the death fast from today."
The court board did everything in its power to deter M. Hayri Durmuş from his decision, but he was determined: "No, I am determined. It is not an action that I have developed on an emotional basis, it is a decision I have made by thinking and concentrating deeply. The PKK is a serious movement, I am here as someone who is primarily responsible for this movement, I have to carry out my duties seriously. First of all, you have to accept the Kurdish people and recognize the PKK movement that is its representative, and therefore, our political identity. But I do not give up my decision because I know that your mentality will not change…"
Kemal Pir and Ali Çiçek, who were among the prisoners who listened to Hayri holding their breath in the great silence of the hall, joined the death fast together with three other prisoners.
When the judge asked Kemal Pir, “You too, Kemal?”, he replied: “Yes, yes, me too. I have said dozens of times before, 'If someone raises the flag again, I'll be the second one.'”
Akif Yılmaz, who was not in the courtroom, also joined the death fast. Representing the military council of Kenan Evren in the dungeon of Amed, Esat Oktay Yıldıran took Akif Yılmaz to the 36th Ward where Hayri, Kemal, Ali and other activists entered the death fast two days after 14 July.