A PANEL WAS HELD IN MILAN FOR THE RESISTANCE AND THE SOLITARY CONFINEMENT TYPE PRISONS IN TURKEY

On October 30, a panel about the SRY-Type prisons was held in Milan. At Milan’s Seccorso Rosso (Red Aid) on October 30, a panel was organized on the ongoing hunger strikes in Turkey and the “Well-Type” (Kuyu Tipi) prisons. One of the reasons for the panel was the critical condition of three prisoners whose hunger strike days had progressed significantly: Serkan Onur Yılmaz, Ayberk Demirdöğen, and Fikret Akar.

The speaker at the panel, Şükriye Akar, who joined online, began her speech by thanking the audience for their interest. Around 20 people attended despite it being a weekday evening after 9 p.m., solely to hear about the resistance. She said she was grateful because these events help amplify the voices of prisoners whose voices are being silenced. She emphasized that the only thing that could save the lives of prisoners whose hunger strikes had reached advanced stages was international and domestic solidarity. Akar mentioned that members of TAYAD (the Solidarity Association with Families of Prisoners) were working tirelessly, day and night. She spoke about the ongoing resistance in Kurtuluş Park in Ankara, and the pressures faced by TAYAD and prisoners’ families. She told how even mothers and siblings who sent money or clothes to their imprisoned relatives were being arrested for it. Because of such repression in Turkey, international solidarity has become even more crucial.

Akar continued her speech as follows:

“The state quietly built the S and Y-Type prisons in 2021. Until revolutionary prisoners were transferred there, we didn’t even know they existed. When they were transferred in 2023, they immediately started a hunger strike — and that was when the world first heard of these prisons. So far, there have been 15 resistances and victories. Thanks to the prisoners’ hunger strikes, despite heavy censorship, newspapers are writing about it. Even human rights organizations like TİHV (Human Rights Foundation of Turkey), İHD (Human Rights Association), TTB (Turkish Medical Association), and even the parliamentary opposition party CHP have called for the closure of these ‘Well-Type’ prisons and published reports.”

She added: “In many places across Europe, people ask: ‘Why a hunger strike?’

But the real question should be: ‘Why isn’t there enough solidarity and support outside?’

Because if the outside struggle were strong enough, those inside wouldn’t have to pay such high prices. No one wants to starve for hundreds of days, suffer, and live with permanent health problems. But when they must choose between submission and death, they say: ‘Victory or death.’”

She clarified that the hunger strike was not meant to appeal to the Turkish state’s conscience:

“The Turkish state would actually be pleased if we died or became disabled.We are doing this for our friends, for the public — to move them to action. For example, German MP Cansu Özdemir shared about the hunger strikes on Instagram. These ‘Well-Type’ prisons may have been built in Turkey, but we know they are an imperialist project. Imperialism wants to destroy the revolutionary struggle in Turkey.”

Akar said that in Turkey there are two lines: One reconciles with imperialism (like the PKK and those who follow it), and the other consists of revolutionaries.

This, she said, is part of a larger picture — the “Well-Type” prisons cannot be separated from projects like the BOP (Greater Middle East Project) or GAP, nor from what’s happening in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon.

“Imperialism has a plan for its global hegemony — for Russia, China, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East…And in this plan, it does not want resisting forces to exist.In Gaza, what most disturbs imperialism is the fact that people resist — they die, but don’t abandon their land. The same goes for the prisoners resisting in the Well-Type prisons — their struggle proves that resistance is possible under any condition. These prisons were also built to intimidate the people in Turkey:

‘If you dare to rebel against the state, you’ll end up in these wells.’

And there is great fear among the people. But the resisting revolutionaries tell the people: ‘Don’t be afraid. We are resisting for you. You are not alone. We may give our lives, but we will not leave you defenseless in the face of fascism.’”

She stressed that these prisons are a pilot project, and if successful in Turkey, they will be exported elsewhere. After explaining the political meaning of the “Well-Type” prisons and the resistance, she described the reality inside. She recalled that between 2000–2007, thanks to the “Great Resistance,” F-Type prisons were transformed from isolation cells into more livable units — but the “Well-Type” prisons represent a step backward.She described the difference between the F-Type and the Kuyu-Type prisons and concluded by saying that the latter are “slow death” facilities, where prisoners face severe health problems and psychological torment aimed at breaking their will — many have developed schizophrenia, panic attacks, and other conditions. She then announced that November 15, marking Ayberk Demirdöğen’s 250th day of hunger strike, would be a day of action, inviting others to join a one-day solidarity hunger strike if they wished. She also said they could share the prisoners’ addresses so that people could send letters and cards of support.

The Seccorso Rossa in Milan concluded with this statement:

“Events like these draw attention to revolutionary prisoners. The Day of Action brings comrades together worldwide — uniting all those who wish to strengthen the struggle. All governments are trying to make people and comrades give up the fight, especially by targeting revolutionary fighters. They target the proletarians everywhere and seek to block organized struggle. That’s why we must spread awareness about what’s happening and about the resistance of revolutionary comrades. We must also look to places like India and Peru — this helps carry the struggle to a higher level. Today, fighting back against repression is vital, because repression seeks to prevent us from coming together and continuing the struggle.”