Isolation torture in Turkey – The German daily left newspaper Junge Welt published an interview with Sukriye Akar, the wife of one of the hunger strike resisters Fikret Akar.

Link to the article: Politische Gefangene: »Das bedeutet systematische Folter«, Tageszeitung junge Welt, 21.10.2025

“This means systematic torture”

Sükriye Akar is the wife of hunger-striking prisoner Fikret Akar

Political prisoners in Turkey have been on hunger strike for two years. How many are there exactly and what is their health situation?

For two years, indefinite hunger strikes have been carried out again and again. Currently, the government seems to be aiming for this. The prisoners’ demands are ignored to the point of death. The signal to the prisoners is clear: If you do not bow down, continue the fight and resist this isolation torture, then you will have to accept permanent damage to your health. This is a clear signal to the prisoners, but also to the public. But the prisoners are not impressed. My husband is also on an indefinite hunger strike. This Monday is the 205th day of his hunger strike. Currently, 15 prisoners are on indefinite hunger strike. Three are in critical condition. If their demands are not implemented as soon as possible, the death of these resisting prisoners could occur.

What are the concrete demands?

They demand the closure of the SRY-type prisons, which the prisoners call “pit-type prisons”. But the prisoners end the hunger strike when they are transferred to an F-type prison, i.e. a “non-pit-type prison”. There, the prison yard is located at the cell. And their doors remain open until sunset. There are also visitation permits for people with whom they are not related in the first degree. And ideally, they should have an unlimited number of books and newspapers at their disposal. The “pit-type prisons”, on the other hand, mean systematic torture. In short: No sun, no air, no people. They are all alone in the cell for 23 hours, without seeing a single person. Not even the guard, with whom you communicate via an intercom. There is only one hour of yard walking, where you are exposed to the weather. The right to walk in the courtyard then becomes a punishment. There is no air circulation in the cell. No sun comes in.

Indefinite hunger strikes and the so-called death fast are a very drastic form of action. To what extent do you think these are useful and promising?

Yes, it is indeed very drastic. It is a way of resisting when all other forms of struggle have brought nothing. The prisoners don’t necessarily want to endanger their health. Who wants to live with the long-term consequences of the hunger strike for the rest of their lives? But what else are the prisoners supposed to do in this situation? And they are also forced to carry out such a drastic form of action because the solidarity outside is not strong enough or sufficient. That’s why it makes sense. Currently, 15 hunger strikes have been carried out in the “pit-types”, which have ended with successful transfers. The question should rather be: What can we do outside so that the prisoners do not have to use such a drastic form of action?

According to official statements, a peace process has been taking place in Turkey for several months. What role does the situation of political prisoners play in this context?

There was once talk of the “right to hope”. Which is a documented right of prisoners. This is enshrined in the human rights conventions of the United Nations, European human rights conventions and others. That is, “everyone has the right to achieve his freedom one day”. Because in Turkey, a life sentence really means a lifetime. This right to hope would have been limited to Abdullah Öcalan. But I would have welcomed it if this right to hope had already been implemented in his case.

What activities are there in Germany?

There are three main things at stake here. Firstly, to inform the public with articles, interviews and information events. Secondly, pressure must be exerted on the Turkish Ministry of Justice. You can send them emails and spread information via social media. You can also take part in the action days for the prisoners. Thirdly, it is very important to send mail to the hunger-striking prisoners.