Solidarity Actions for Political Prisoners Organized in Europe
We hereby share an unofficial translation of a report published by Yeni Demokrasi on the 19th of March.
As part of the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners on March 18, various actions were carried out in Switzerland, Austria, and the United Kingdom.
During the actions, the importance of solidarity with revolutionary prisoners was emphasized, and calls were made to end the isolation of prisoners.
SWITZERLAND
The Swiss Platform for Solidarity with Revolutionary Prisoners organized simultaneous actions in Basel, Bern, Geneva, and Zurich on March 18 at 6:00 p.m.
Statements read in Turkish, German, and French called for solidarity with the prisoners.
The statements noted, “The fascist Turkish State is carrying out serious detention and arrest campaigns targeting revolutionaries, democrats, and all progressives. Under the guise of ‘high security,’ the Turkish State is constructing high-security prisons with various designations, including F, T, S, and Y (well-type) categories.”
We must stand in solidarity with the revolutionaries imprisoned by the ruling classes to facilitate the implementation of their policies, and we must break the isolation. March 18 is a day to strengthen our solidarity with the revolutionary political prisoners resisting in prisons. Today, it is an expression of a collective stance against the will they seek to subdue; it is an expression of revolutionary honor and the resolve to struggle. We are raising our voices against isolation policies, rights violations, and inhumane practices
“We know that what will shatter isolation is the organized power of solidarity. Revolutionary prisoners are waging an honorable resistance against oppression, policies of subjugation, and inhumane practices. We, too, will not remain silent in the face of human rights violations against revolutionary prisoners wherever we are. We will intensify the struggle against torture, ill-treatment, and extrajudicial executions. We will raise our voices for the release of sick prisoners in prisons and the recognition of their rights to communication and organization,” it was stated.
The demonstrations concluded with the slogans “Revolutionary Prisoners Are Our Honor,” “Long Live International Solidarity,” and “Freedom for Political Prisoners.”
AUSTRIA
Protests were also held in the Austrian cities of Vienna and Innsbruck.
The demonstrations, attended by ATİGF, Partizan, revolutionary-democratic mass organizations, and a large number of people, protested the repression against prisoners and emphasized the importance of international solidarity.
Speeches delivered at the events drew attention to the rising political tensions and imperialist occupations worldwide. It was stated that the deepening crisis of the imperialist-capitalist system is intensifying the pressure on workers and opposition groups. It was noted that war policies, regional conflicts, and internal repressive mechanisms are part of this process, and it was emphasized that struggles for rights are being suppressed through attacks in many regions, from the Middle East to Europe, and from Asia to Latin America.
The statements also addressed prison policies in Turkey. Particular emphasis was placed on the isolation system implemented in high-security prisons, drawing attention to the severe isolation conditions in F-type prisons as well as in the S, R, and Y-type prisons that have been increasingly established in recent years. It was stated that these systems deepen the isolation of prisoners and severely restrict access to social, legal, and human rights.
Throughout the actions, frequent calls for solidarity were made, with participants declaring, “We are raising our voices against isolation policies, rights violations, and inhumane practices,” and emphasizing that prisoners are not alone. Participants noted that the international community must respond more strongly to the human rights violations occurring in prisons. In particular, the situation of sick prisoners and violations of their communication rights were condemned.
The actions concluded with the slogans “Revolutionary Prisoners Are Our Honor,” “Long Live International Solidarity,” and “Freedom for Political Prisoners.”
At the demonstration, Partizan readers carried photographs of revolutionary prisoners from Turkey, India, and Brazil.
LONDON
A protest was held in London, the capital of the United Kingdom.
During the protest in front of Woodgreen Library, slogans such as “Freedom for Political Prisoners,” “Political Prisoners Are Our Honor,” and “We Have Paid the Price, and We Will Make Them Pay” were frequently chanted.
Participants called for solidarity with the prisoners’ struggle and for the movement to grow.
AGEB and Partizan also participated in the protest to show their support.
