LETTER FROM FIKRET AKAR TO MUMIA ABU JAMAL

Çorlu, 18.03.25
Dear Mumia,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. As soon as I learned that I had the opportunity to correspond with you as a revolutionary prisoner in Turkish prisons, I wanted to write to you immediately.
My spouse met with your lawyer in Germany and learned that I could write to you. I hope this letter reaches you.
Actually, about 20 years ago, in 2003-2004, we started corresponding with prisoners in various countries around the world. Unfortunately, we could not maintain continuity. I hope we can succeed in mutual correspondence this time.
I had the opportunity to read your book titled “We Want Freedom” and some of your articles from newspapers. The book, in particular, is filled with lessons and has been very educational for me. Despite being in severe isolation conditions for over 40 years, your ability to follow developments in the world and your intellectual productivity is exemplary. I remember that during the letter-writing process 20 years ago, there were friends who corresponded with you. That period was the time of the F-Type isolation attack and the Great Resistance against isolation. I believe you have some knowledge about that process. If you want, or if you have questions, I can write in detail about that process.
More than 20 years have passed since then. However, the imposition of isolation continues. After all, it is a central policy programmed by NATO and implemented by imperialism worldwide. It is not a policy they can abandon without achieving results.
That is not possible. Therefore, it will continue to be implemented in a way that increases and decreases, changes form, but remains uninterrupted.
Until… it is determined that the F-Type isolation policies do not yield the desired results, they have attempted to implement the same program in new types of prisons with new names. We call these new prisons “Well-Type” prisons. These prisons are open-plan; for example, my cell is currently on the third floor. However, an architecture has been used in such a way that even if you are on the third floor, you feel as if you are inside a well.
The practices are probably somewhat similar to those where you are.
Currently, there are about 23 or 24 prisons in Turkey that we refer to as Well-Type. In 7 or 8 of them, we have friends who are being tried for the same case. And all of them are resisting isolation. We have been here for about 2 months, and we will soon begin our resistance as well. In short, we say we will not stay in Well-Type Prisons. In summary, the practices of isolation in Turkish prisons and the resistance against isolation have been ongoing for 25 years without interruption.
Let me introduce myself a bit. I have spent a total of 16 years in prison during three
different periods of imprisonment. My last arrest was seven months ago. Unfortunately, just being involved in the struggle for justice is now enough to get arrested. This situation is not only valid in Turkey but almost everywhere in the world. As the crisis of imperialism deepens, the bourgeois democratic rights that are displayed as a façade are being seized. As a result of the crisis, imperialist states are militarizing their economies. Generally, everyone is preparing for war. The cost is again borne by the poor and oppressed peoples. Unfortunately, the oppressed peoples do not yet have the level of organization necessary to repel these attacks. The urgent and fundamental responsibility of all oppressed peoples should be the effort to create this organization.
We are not hopeless. On the contrary, we learn from history that peoples have limitless and unique creativity against oppression.
Today, we firmly believe that this creativity of the peoples will make the world a more beautiful and liveable place.
What are you doing? How are your days going, what are you up to? I will conclude my letter by saying that I would like to get to know you better. I hope this letter reaches you, and I can receive your reply.
I wish you all the best and send my greetings and love.
Fikret Akar
Karatepe Y.G. Prison
A13 Çorlu/Tekirdağ
TURKEY