Turkey/Istanbul- Sit-in actions planned for every Saturday against the isolation punishment of prisoners January 04, 2007 A new wave of ‘death fast’ to protest the isolation punishment by the prisoners have started. To support the prisoners against the inhumane isolation punishment, many unions, mass organizations, democratic associations and political parties have staged a sit-in at […]
Turkey/Istanbul- Sit-in actions planned for every Saturday against the isolation punishment of prisoners
January 04, 2007
A new wave of ‘death fast’ to protest the isolation punishment by the prisoners have started. To support the prisoners against the inhumane isolation punishment, many unions, mass organizations, democratic associations and political parties have staged a sit-in at the most busiest intersection in Istanbul on January 4th.
More than 1000 people participated in the action where banners reading, “End Isolation, End the Killings” were carried.
The sit-in lasted for 30 minutes where Dursun Yıldız, the current spokesperson for KESK, the Confederation of Government Workers Unions, explained the treatment of prisoners and the inhumane punishment of isolation in the prisons. He said, “The government has not found a solution to this problem. A humane solution is required. We are defending life against death. Isolation is a punishment concerning all of humanity. Until the issue of isolation in the prisons is resolved, we will gather every Saturday here and stage a sit-in.”
The popular artist, Bilgesu Erenus read the press release after Dursun Yıldız’s talk. The press release addressed the current Minister of Justice and read, “Except for Justice Minister, General Manager of Prisons and the (nationalist, right wing, reactionary -translator’s note-) newspaper commentator Emin Çölaşan, who is totally confused on what he supports and for what reason, nobody supports the isolation policies. Then, why is there such insistence on a punishment which has already cost 122 peoples’ lives?”
Those who support isolation are isolated themselves
The press release also indicated, “The attempt to discredit attorney Behiç Aşçı shows how desperate the isolationists are. Those who have supported the isolation policies have been isolated themselves. Isolation must end immediately. The Justice department must look into this issue right away. We will be pursuing this matter by gathering at Taksim in Istanbul every Saturday until a humane resolution is found.”
Some of the participating organizations in the action are:
Chamber of Engineers and Architects of Turkey; KESK, the Confederation of Government Workers Unions; Genel Is, The Municipality Workers Union, member of DISK, the Confederation of Progressive Labor Unions; BES, the Local Government Workers’ Union; Agriculture Orkam-SEN Union, Education Workers Union; Health Care Workers Union, SES; All Municipality Workers Union Tum Bel-Sen; Contemporary Attorneys Group; Contemporary Justices Association; Lawyers against Isolation association; Simurg Theater; Artists against Isolation; Peoples Houses; Political Parties: ODP, SDP, TKP, HKP, EHP.
Left organizations:
HOC, DHP, Anti-Capitalist, Kaldirac, BDSP, Workers Struggle, TOP, ESP, Partizan and ODAK.
The sit in will take place every Saturday at Taksim square at 7:00PM.
Source: Halkevleri – Peoples Houses
www.halkevleri.org.tr
