by IKM (Committee of Struggle against Torture Through Isolation)
“Here they cannot drown our voices either. With the slogans we shout in our cells, we overcome all walls and distance. We have contrived to break down the `separation`, so to speak… It is so beautiful to be part of this splendid resistance and to experience this. I am very happy and this is such an excellent thing.” These are the words of the Death Faster Ahmet Özdemir, who has been on the Death Fast for 150 days.
The fascist state in Turkey wanted to make the revolutionary prisoners in Turkey surrender.
The state stormed the prisons on December 19-22 in the cruellest fashion and massacred prisoners. Four women were burned alive, hundreds wounded and a total of 28 prisoners killed. Inconceivable torture methods were used but the state did not manage to make a single prisoner surrender. With 28 martyrs, the revolutionary prisoners fought on for four days for their ideals, hopes and belief in victory.
Now they are continuing their struggle in the cells. Completely isolated from one another and alone. The prisoners have been defending themselves for 150 days with the Death Fast against the `F` Type isolation prisons which were built according to European models.
The enemy continues his attacks relentlessly. On the other hand the resistance is growing.
Three days ago, during routine house searches near Aydin Prison, Resul Aydemir was brutally beaten and murdered for daring to ask the police if they had a search warrant. Then local inhabitants started clashing with the police in the street. Several police vehicles were destroyed and gendarmerie units were sent into the area to beef up the ranks of the police.
The state is trying to cripple the prisoners on the Death Fast by force-feeding them. As soon as they lose consciousness they are taken to hospital and force-fed. Several prisoners have lost their memory as a consequence of force-feeding. They can no longer remember why they are in prison and cannot recognise their own mothers.
All prisoners in the `F` Type Prison at Kandira have announced that between March 19-23 they will not accept visits. “We will continue our resistance until victory. To protest against the supremacy of the IMF, the repression in the `F` Type prisons and the crippling of prisoners through force-feeding, we will not accept family visits from March 19 to 23.” (From a statement by the prisoners in Kandira `F` Type Prison)
Today on March 18, we honour all political prisoners world-wide who have struggled for a world without exploitation and oppression. Those who do not bow the knee to imperialism, those who fight against fascism will win.
FOR THE FREEDOM OF ALL PRISONERS FROM CLASS AND LIBERATION STRUGGLES IN TURKEY AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD!
LONG LIVE THE DEATH FAST RESISTANCE!
LONG LIVE INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY!
IKM (Committee of Struggle against Torture Through Isolation)
