Solidarity with the RESISTANCE in Turkey’s Isolation Prisons Grows

SOLIDARITY HUNGER STRIKES, PROTEST ACTIONS AND VIGILS IN SUPPORT OF DEATH FAST RESISTERS IN TURKISH PRISONS

A campaign of solidarity with Turkish political prisoner Serkan Onur Yilmaz, who has been on death fast for almost 300 days, and other political prisoners, holding hunger strike against pit-type prisons, continues in Europe.

In the Netherlands, the People’s Front organized 2 vigils in front of the embassy and the Consulate General of Turkey on 290th day Serkan Onur Yilmaz’s death fast resistance. During the vigil internationalist comrades made solidarity statements in support of the demands of Serkan Onur Yilmaz and other prisoners on hunger strike.

Another vigil in support of the hungerstrikers and death fast resisters in Turkey was organized in front of the Consulate General in Rotterdam.

In Athens members of People’s Front organised an action in front of the embassy, including throwing red paint and leaflets to support Serkan Onur Yilmaz. Participants of the action were shouting “Serkan Onur Yilmaz is our honor”.It was reported that during the embassy action 3 persons were detained by police, but then were released after few hours.

Another action in front of Turkish embassy in Athens was held with banners in support of the death fast resisters and hungerstrikers.

Solidarity tent for Turkish hunger strikers in prisons was opened on the annual People’s Voice Festival in Vienna. An information booth was opened with a banner against pit-type prisons and information material by the Freedom Initiative for Political Prisoners. A common photo was taken together with comrades from Red Flag, the Palestinian Solidarity Movement and German Communist Party.

Students and communities of METU (ODTÜ), one of the most important universities, also for progressive students in Turkey, published a statement for Serkan Onur Yilmaz and pit-type prisons, that were signed by over 30 communities.

Since March 30, 2025 the solidarity hunger strike chain with the ongoing hunger strike and death fast resistance in Turkey’s pit-type isolation prisons has been continuing.

Peoples and associations in several countries have joined this solidarity campaign like Zeliha Koyupinar last week to draw attention to the inacceptable new prison types in Turkey, which are designed to bury prisoners alive by denial of sunlight, human contact and basic rights. Zeliha is joining the solidarity chain with a one-week support hunger strike, starting last Sunday.

On August 25, the 288th day of death fast resistance of Serkan Onur Yilmaz, members of the band Grup Yorum and Marcel, a member of the International Art Front, were on a 1-day solidarity hunger strike to support his demands.

The solidarity chain was taken over by Greece in the period from August 4 to 27. Ferhat Ertürk was on a one-day hunger strike whilst Ali Yücel, a member of People’s Front in Greece, joined a 15-day support hunger strike on 31st of August.

On the 287th day of Serkan Onur Yilmaz’s death fast resistance Hasan Farsak carried out a one-day hunger strike.

Besides many other actions of solidarity, comrades of Secours Rouge in Marseilles join the solidarity chain for the revolutionary prisoners on death fast/indefinite hunger strike against isolation prisons, from August 22-26.

In Belgium a comrade of Zannekinbond joined the hunger strike chain against S, R and Y isolation prisons in Turkey and carried out a one-day solidarity hunger strike.

Sevgi from Switzerland made a 3-days solidarity hunger strike for the death fast resisters Serkan Onur Yilmaz and Ayberk Demirdögen, as well as for the other prisoners on hunger strike against pit-type isolation prisons. On the posters carried by her children it is written: “Shut down the S, R, Y prisons”, “Accept the demands of Serkan Onur Yilmaz” and “Our mother is also on a 3-days support hunger strike”.

Every weekday, activists from different countries called the Turkish Ministry of Justice and the prison where Serkan Onur Yilmaz is being held, demanding that Serkan’s demands be met.

On September 1st solidarity tents were erected in two locations in London. Hundreds of leaflets were distributed. These tents will stay throughout the day and there are plans to spread them further.

Uğur Pektaş from People’s Front England began a 30-day long solidarity hunger strike. More people will follow his footsteps.