IKM Izolasyon Iskencesine Karsi Mücadele Komitesi Komitee gegen Isolationshaft Commitee for Struggle against Torture through Isolation tel/ fax.:0049 / 40 / 28053625 Addr: Kreuzweg 12 - 20099 Hamburg Bank account: Postbank/ Hamburg Account number: 79 966 205 BLZ: 200 100 20 Internet.: www.noisolation.de E-Mail.: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hamburg, February 26, 2001 THE STRUGGLE OF THE PRISONERS IN TURKEY AGAINST SOLITARY CONFINEMENT AND FOR HUMAN DIGNITY, DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM IS TODAY IN ITS 130TH DAY "They are waiting for us to lose consciousness. But even if we become like Semra ASKERI, the resistance and the struggle will continue and WE WILL WIN." (Umus SAHINGOZ, woman Death Fast Fighter in the isolation ward in Kartal Prison) On several occasions Semra ASKERI was force-fed. Each time she regained consciousness, she resisted the treatment and tore the intravenous feeding tubes from her body. Now the state has achieved its goal with Semra Askeri. She has lost her memory and no longer remembers why she is in prison. In this way the state is attempting to leave all the prisoners handicapped. So last week a number of prisoners were removed from the 'F' Type prisons and taken to hospital for force-feeding. Ismet UNVER, a Death Fast Fighter was removed from the 'F' Type Prison in Edirne by force and taken to hospital for force-feeding. The hospital doctors are waiting for him to lose consciousness so he can be treated. Hatice YAZGAN was removed from Kutahya Prison on February 22 and she was taken to hospital in Ankara for force-feeding. According to statements by their families, attempts were made through violence to force-feed them. It was also stated that their health situation is now very poor. Temel CAGIRTEKIN was also removed from the 'F' Type prison in Sincan to hospital in Ankara and was force-fed. Then he was taken back to prison. Force-feeding of the unconscious prisoners is being carried out under the provisions of the Tripartite Protocol (an agreement between the Justice, Interior and Health Ministries). The mixture they are given intravenously consists of glucose and dextrose; this places a great strain on internal organs and it too can kill individual prisoners. It is deliberately meant to kill political prisoners or leave them permanently handicapped. Neither the December 19-22 massacre nor force-feeding nor the tyranny in the 'F' Type Prisons could deter the prisoners from resistance. Approximately 500 prisoners are continuing the resistance with the same resolve. The news blackout, terror in the streets, arrests of family members, the disappearance of opposition supporters and bans cannot break the solidarity with the prisoners. With this understanding, the Death Fast by TAYAD members and by some prisoners who were released from jail is continuing. In Strasbourg (France), 100 people have been on a ten-day hunger strike since February 19 in solidarity with the political prisoners and in protest against the armed forces of Turkey's invasion of South Kurdistan (Kurdish-inhabited northern Iraq). VICTORY BELONGS TO THOSE WHO RESIST! THE DEATH FAST RESISTERS ARE OUR HONOUR! LET US STAND UP FOR THE SAKE OF OUR HONOUR!
