Isolation of Prisoners 20

I S O L A T I O N

1 I S O L A T I O N

INDEX

04 . . . OPENING

06 . . . OVERVIEW

10 . . . SPEECHES War and occupation 15 .. Embargo, threat of war and lawlessness 17 .. Isolation of Prisoners 20 .. Political isolation in the USA 24 .. Isolation and international-scale torture 28 .. Breaches of rights to resistance and organisation 37 .. Tribunal: Isolation, black list and law

46 . . . PRISONER’S MESSAGES

48 . . . NEWSFLASH F-Type prisons - Turkey Prison repression - Basque country Anti-terrorlaws and black lists - Belgium & Denmark

50 . . . CONCLUSION

2 I S O L A T I O N

IV INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM AGAINST ISOLATION POLITICS

December 16th – 19th 2005

Cinéma Espace, Paris

FOREWORD

Politically spoken, the term isolation is in Turkey, occurred in December 2000, in led to concrete ideas and plans for an in- usually linked to physical and social which 28 revolutionary prisoners putting ternational collaboration. Characteristic seperation of political prisoners. But ex- up resistance to their transfer to new built of all the International Symposiums periences made by political fighters for F-type prisons were killed by guards in against Isolation was a strong spirit of op- freedom and democracy all over the charge of this transfer. timism and an excitingly demonstrated world show, that isolation is more exten- and expressed solidarity among all partic- sive than we might think. In addition to ipants. the isolation of political prisoners, isola- In this brochure you find all the speeches tion also includes the act of ignoring and held at the IV International Symposium silencing any kind of political resistance against Isolation, which was held in Paris. by non democratic means, among which The speeches are, as well as the event it- we find black lists, „anti-terror“ laws, ar- self was, in thematical order. The first tificial borders, embargos, declarations of chapter is about isolation of peoples and war, wars per se and the negation of dem- countries; the second about isolation of ocratic rights. As we can see, the impact political prisoners. In the third chapter of isolation is not only felt by the people you find the isolation of political move- mounting political resistance, but also felt Istanbul: Thousands against the 19th December massacre ments and organisations, while the fourth in any kind of oppositional political work; is about isolation in general, black lists isolation is a self-defense tool of imperi- In Turkey 4.500 revolutionaries are kept and „anti-terror“ laws. alism. in prision; most of them witout any com- IPAI Since 2002, both people and organisa- prehensible charge and exposed to torture c/o Stiftgasse 8 tions personally affected by isolation and and isolation. F-type prisons are exem- A-1070 Vienna different international movements, inter- plarily for the politics of destroying oppo- [email protected] ested in linking their struggles with oth- sitional thoughts and association. The ers, meet once a year at the "International struggle of the revolutionary prisoners Symposium against Isolation" to ex- and their families and friends outside con- change experiences and in order to find a tinues for 6 years without interruption a way to practice solidarity. nd took the lives of 121 people. The "International Symposium against While the focus of the first and the second Isolation" is organized by the "Interna- symposiums, which took place in Noord- tional Platform against Isolation" and wijk in 2002 and Florence in 2003, was takes place every year around December on exchanging experiences and ideas, the 19th and 22nd. This date was not chosen third and fourth, which took place in by chance. It reminds the prison massacre Berlin (2004) and Paris (2005), already Mr. Ahmed Ben Bella, honorary president of the symposium

3 I S O L A T I O N OPENING by the International Platform against Isolation

WAR – OCCUPATION – text to protect the world from the commu- build up the ideological base for the fas- EMBARGO nists. These organisations were united in cist, imperialist aggression. If the words the whole world under the umbrella of the are in place, the propaganda mechanism, The reality of today is: It is attempted to NATO. The pentagon has started to work that Hitler tried to create with Göbels, has bend and enslave the peoples by deaths, as a central base of these organisations. been applied with the international press blood, tears, torture, poverty and misery. Besides the armaments and war prepara- agencies and the TV, radio, newspapers From the slavery society until today, the tions in the colonialized countries and the and magazines, shortly with a huge medi- fate of humanity and of the people is de- other allied countries with imperialists, al army of all countries. Showing the so- termined by always bigger destructions the armies of these countries have been cialist block as target, they wanted to keep and massacres. re-educated on the base of the war against the people who were fighting for inde- While technology is developing with cap- the entire people, and they were formed pendence, democracy and socialism all italism, also the ruthlessness and greed both for a civil war and if requested as a over the world under their control and to for profit of the exploiters have increased. force of aggression against socialist coun- continue the system of exploitation and We even could say that the ruin and mas- tries. repression. sacres during wars of the past are nothing The police organisations in these coun- in comparison with those nowadays. Ac- tries had been fed as well with a fascist NEW WORLD ORDER, tually, the number of war victims is not at ideology, hostile to the people, and they GLOBALISATION ETC… thousand, but it is at hundred thousands were transformed into organisations of and millions. torture and massacres. The secret servic- In the period after the fall of the socialist While even during the Second Imperialist es, military and civil intelligence organi- block, exploitation and terror practises Distribution War, which is known as the sations have been recruited appropriate to have reached a higher dimension. biggest war, the number of those who lost their lives had been twenty or thirty millions, more than a million children have lost their lives just as a result of the 1st Gulf War. Again on the African continent, which doesn’t really interest anyone, in the civil war that was incited by the imperialist forces, millions of people where brutal- ly murdered within a very short period. Some hundred of millions of people have lost their lives in the course of regional and civil wars, provocations, embargos, bombardments as well as poverty and hunger which have intensified by the imperialist exploitation after the 2. Imperial- ist Distribution War. EAST BLOCK, COLD WAR While imperialism on one hand attempts the same aggression mechanism and they The end of the existence of the socialist to rule the entire people by intimidating were formed as professional murderers countries, which imperialism had to take them with occupation, provocations and and provocateurs against the people. to account in its attack against the people, wars, it has carried out a politics of paral- Apart from these military organisations, the imperialist aggression has increased. ization by border violations and sabotages both in support of World Bank, IWF etc. While attacks, like the bombardments on and by unlimited armaments and war institutions on economical level, and in Yugoslavia or the occupation of threat. In order to develop nuclear support of the collaborating fascist leader- Afghanistan and Iraq, couldn't be made weapons that could wipe out the whole ships, there has been the attempt to create during the existence of the socialist mankind, it has strongly increased its ex- a mass basis for them by organising par- Block, today countries can be bombed, ploitation on the entire people. At the ties and civil fascist organisations in each mineral resources and wealth of a country same time it couldn't give up to strength- country. can be plundered and occupied based on en the fear of the "communist ghost over The press institutions were made com- information of the CIA. the world". pletely dependent during that period and In these wars there are used napalm It has created counterguerilla organisa- they were used very efficient in order to bombs, depleted uranium and humane tions in every single country, with the pre- distort the knowledge of the people and to hostile weapons still experimented, but

4 I S O L A T I O N the countries and people who suffer from ciless war and occupation politics and to peoples; black-lists' and anti-terror laws these attacks are neither allowed to raise bring the future of the people under against popular movements and organi- their voices nor to explain their problems mortgage. sations; isolation torture and terror to the world public. Iraq is not the single example. The same against. Free Algiers’ first president For instance, in Iraq, it has been proven politics have been used in Afghanistan Ahmed Ben Bella was the honorary pres- that there were no nuclear or chemical and Yugoslavia. Today, also Cuba, Korea, ident of the 4th International sympo- weapons found. Syria, Iran and others are on the list of sium, where revered experts, institutions With the isolation politics by means of the targets. and organisations participated. Former imperialist and collaborating media the political prisoners, prisoners’ solidarity voice of the Iraqi people was silenced, OTHERS MEAN THE organisations, lecturers, writers, resist- while the war provocateurs were shown WHOLE WORLD ance organisations, political parties were like defenders of "democracy and peace". exceptionally well represented and si- With the military surrounding by NATO- The aggression that is first of all directed multaneous interpreting to Turkish, Eng- member states and local governments by the USA, doesn't only concern these lish, French, German, Arabic and Span- who collaborate with the USA, such as countries. It is using the same politics ish languages contributed to the interna- the distorting by means of the media, Iraq against each country and leadership that is tional nature of the event that it de- was military and politically isolated and supposed to act against its interests. This served. the Iraqi people almost were given the im- is proven by the threats against Holland The first of the series of symposia that age as if it has deserved any kind of at- during the discussions on the European were coincided with the 19-22 December tack. Criminal Court, by the words "If you dare massacre was held in Noordwijk-Holland In this atmosphere, that was created with to put any US-citizen on trial, we're going in 2002, with the participation of 40 dele- lie news, distorting, false reports and to remove Lahey, such as the accusations gates. The first symposium declared the demagogies, there was killed every hu- against France calling it a member of the 19th-22nd December as the International mane feeling, and all Iraqis, both hous- "axis of evil" and the threat to use the Days of Struggle Against Isolation. In ing estates and military areas, including same politics against France as it has ap- 2003 the symposium took place in Flo- children, women and old people, have plied towards Syria and Korea, just be- rence-Italy with the participation of 110 become target of the military attacks. cause of a few critics regarding the occu- delegates and in 2004, approximately 150 Iraq was bombed for several months, pation in Iraq. delegates gathered in Berlin-Germany. housing estates, historical wealth were In parallel with former symposiums, a plundered, the country occupied. There ALL COUNTRIES, PEOPLE hunger strike was being held by political were started constant huntings against AND FORCES, WHO ARE prisoners internationally in order to the people in occupied Iraq. In each hu- AGAINST THIS MERCILESS protest 19th-22nd December massacre man hunting in the cities and provinces AGGRESSION POLITICS, and to salute the symposium. This year who opposed the occupation, thousands AND WHO DEFEND NA- too, a 3 days hunger strike was called for of people were killed and tortured, other TIONAL SOUVEREIGNTY, by the International Platform Against Iso- thousands were transferred to Abu SHOULD KNOW THAT lation and held by hundreds of prisoners Ghraib, Guantanamo, secret prisons in THESE IMPERIALIST AT- in Turkey, France, Switzerland, Italy, Ger- countries who collaborate with the USA, TACKS CAN ONLY BE REAL- many, Spain, The Basque country, and to prisons over sea belonging to the IZED, IF THESE COUNTRIES Britain, Ireland, Russia and USA, in order US-marines, without any interrogation. AND PEOPLE ARE ISOLAT- to highlight the themes to shut down F- Any right of the Iraqi people, whose na- ED FROM THE WORLD AND Type prisons, end isolation and to protest tional sovereignty has been destroyed IF THEIR VOICES ARE SI- the massacre in Turkish prisons on De- with this isolation and annihilation poli- LENCED. THE MORE THEY cember 19th - 22nd, 2000. tics. GET SUPPORT AND THEIR At the conclusion of the symposium, a After they used phrases like "importing VOICES ARE CARRIED OUT- decision was taken to establish a prison- democracy" to create the base for the ter- SIDE, THESE AGGRESSIVE ers’ solidarity organisation in Turkey, rorist attacks, that had been used to bomb, POLITICS WILL REMAIN IN- Palestine, Iraq, Basque Country, Ireland, kill, plunder the Iraqi people and destroy EFFECTIVE. USA and Corsica as the sub-functioning its national dignity, they now try to make body of the IPAI and practical steps were their occupation permanent by means of At the 4th of the International Sympo- taken towards this aim. collaborating, non-national forces under siums, which the International Platform One of the achievements of the sympo- the pretext of "stabilizing democracy". Against Isolation has turned into a tradi- sium was that lawyers and advocates, With both pretexts isolation politics were tion, the isolation practices of imperial- who attended the symposium from vari- fixed using "democratic" values. ism in various aspects of life were exam- ous countries, have established a Legal Above, it was revealed after the occupa- ined. Commission to examine 'black-lists' and tion, that the reason used for the occupa- 250 delegates from 37 countries have Anti-Terror laws. The Legal Commission tion, namely the information of the secret participated in the symposium. It’s cen- was initially formed by members from service have been wrong. tral theme was to examine and explain Turkey, USA, Belgium, Argentine, Ger- It is very clear: If the Iraqi people hadn't isolation practices, which are carried out many, Denmark and Lebanon and decided been subjected to that isolation, it would- as embargos, threats of war, occupations to carry out studies of 'black-lists' regard- n't have been possible to use such a mer- and wars waged against countries and ing International Courts.

5 I S O L A T I O N OVERVIEW

THE FIRST DAY (16th December): Prisoners in Turkey give a great example Final speakers of the session entitled in resisting against it. It can also be seen “War and Occupation” were Iraqi Sociol- Isolation of Peoples in the USA. Cuban 5, Mumia Abu-Jamal ogist Subhi Toma and Bruno Drewski and Countries and Leonard Peltier keep on struggling from the European Alternative and Eco- against a power that intends to kill free- nomic Solidarity Network. The IV International Symposium Against doms. Imperialism is not only USA’s do- The second session was entitled “Embar- Isolation, which was organised by the In- main. European governments also rush to go, Threat of War and Lawlessness” and ternational Platform Against Isolation its aid. It is being aided by Israel and Eu- was presented by Mohammed Safa, Di- commenced on 16th December in Paris, ropean governments. Even in the bosom rector of the KHIAM Rehabilitation Cen- the capital of France. A cocktail party was of Europe racism and great injustices rais- ter for Torture Victims in Lebanon, Aus- held at the opening of the symposium. es from the grave to haunt foreigners. Po- trian Palestinian Community; Cihan On the first day of the symposium, 200 lice raids target ethnic communities. Re- Keskek, a member of the music band contributors participated in the examina- cent incidents in France are the best ex- 'Grup Yorum', who went to Iraq as a hu- tion of the subjects “War and Occupation” amples of this. Planes are full of people man shield and Olivia Zemor, representa- and “Embargo, Threats of war and Law- being returned to their countries. This tive of Europalestine. lessness”. The same day a Canadian poet- symposium is very important in order to Cihan Keskek, who went to Iraq in 2003 ry session was staged. Some famous indi- resist the system that intends to kill free- as a human shield stressed the importance viduals took part in the symposium. Due doms. The new age is in expectation of a of common struggle against imperialism. to health problems, the honorary presi- new kind of humanity. Cubans have this Mohammed Safa conveyed his impres- dent Ahmed Ben Bella was unable to at- expression: Venceremos!” sions of Isolation and Struggle with Isola- tend personally and he sent a speech in- Following Alleg’s speech, Awni Al- tion Symposium in Istanbul in June 2005. stead. The opening speech was held by Kalemji, the representative of Iraqi Pa- Safa said that as a Lebanese he thought he the IPAI representative. In her speech, she triotic Union spoke: “Speakers before had seen the worst of prison conditions pointed out that the present reality is war, me comprehensively summarized the but Turkish prisons were by far worst ever occupation and embargo. The representa- events in Iraq. It is often stated that Iraq he has encountered. Safa stated that the tive stated that after the demise of the was not democratic and torture was com- symposium in Paris is an important tool in Eastern Block, the imperialism needed monplace. However, Bush’s US make struggle against isolation and torture but another enemy and made references to the such practices redundant and solely the real aim should be material work and new world order and globalization. The judge entire countries as if it was their not only gathering on 19th December representative indicated that the USA pre- given right. every year and just talk. He added that pared the grounds for the war in Iraq, but The example the US sets is as if torture is they proposed to hold the next sympo- failed to offer any evidence, nevertheless an internationally deserved right. Almost sium in Beirut next year and volunteered unashamedly staged aggression. The rep- everybody justified the embargo against to organise it. resentative of the IPAI stated that this was the Iraqi people with Saddam’s regime. not limited to Iraq but Yugoslavia and But after the war, it was understood that Afghanistan shared the same fate whilst this wasn’t the case. If weapons of mass THE SECOND DAY (17th December): some other countries were lined up to be destruction were to be found, it would Isolation of Prisoners targeted. She said: “We must raise our have been possible to justify the war. But voices to prevent this development!” they were not found. Despite this, nobody On 17th December, the second day of the This was followed by Ahmed Ben Bella’s stepped forward to openly say it wasn’t symposium started with the session dedi- speech being read out. Ben Bella stated justified. cated to “Isolation and Torture” at 10:30. that although colonies in the classical Along with the state being collapsed in The session started with a film made by sense no longer exist, the West still holds Iraq, an entire society, the people were the Austrian journalist Gerhard Tuschla, the hegemony and resistance is necessary. condemned to such grieves. However, who interviewed Haj Ali (recognized by Ahmed Ben Bella’s assistant Prof. Ahmed through their struggle, the people of Iraq the picture with a hood over his head and Soueissi also made a speech. Soussi said: prove day by day that it is possible to re- arms stretched) who was released a few “The press always indicates towards the sist persecution. In fact everybody real- months ago after having been incarcerat- civilian casualties in Iraq and ignores the ized that the intention of the US is to es- ed in Abu Ghraib, one of the most known struggle against USA military and by do- tablish a new order in the Middle East. US’ torture chamber in Iraq. The session ing so, tries to illustrate the resistance as Even within the US the public opinion is went on with a speech by Ahmet Kulaksiz unjustified.” that the US has lost this war. Bush was on behalf of TAYAD. Kulaksiz stated that In his speech the famous French Writer self-confident before the war. He used to one of the most important matters in Henri Alleg stated “It gives me great claim not to be in need of any help. But Turkey at the moment are F-Type isola- pleasure to be here because this sympo- now, he is seeking help from the Arab tion cells and stated that he will be loyal sium is very important to be in solidarity League for a solution. I am not speaking until the victory to his promise he gave with prisoners in Turkey. I expect these on behalf of the resistance in Iraq. But I his two daughters he lost during the strug- symposia to create a great solidarity call upon everybody to consider it as his gle against isolation policy and that against imperialism. or her own resistance.” TAYAD would continue to be the voice of

6 I S O L A T I O N political prisoners. Kulaksiz stated that After the strong attendance of 300 partic- the spokesperson for MLPD stated that lynching attacks against TAYAD support- ipants in the sessions on the second day, a whilst ‘War on Terror was ongoing’ rights ers were the indicators of concerns over FREE PRISONERS NIGHT was attended and freedoms were being curbed with resistance. by 450 people. American poets recited new laws and methods. During the same session Mary Rubinchik their poems, which were followed by the Anatolian Federation chairman Nurhan from All-Union Movement for Defense of Youth Choir Turkuler Sevdamiz [Our Erdem stated that ‘Agenda 2010’ aimed at Political Prisoners in Russia, ASP (Asso- Songs, Our Devotion]. Following the having the best economy in the world and ciation for Solidarity with the Proletariat) brief interval, the guest of honour Prof. becoming a force against USA and Japan. from Italy, Martin Mulholland on behalf Angela Davis of USA took the floor and Erdem also explained the pros and cons of of IRPWA (Irish Republican Prisoners made a speech. Angela, who spent time in the ‘Agenda 2010’ and made references to Welfare Association) from Ireland, took prison in 70’s due to the Black Panther the health reforms in Germany and in Eu- the floor and described the circumstances case, said: “I would like to share the floor rope as a whole. Erdem mentioned Hartz of political prisoners in their countries. with Ahmet Kulaksiz, who has paid the IV laws and indicated that these laws in- Debates concluded that isolation is an in- greatest price in the fight against isolation cluded all workers in Europe but pressure ternational issue and necessitates a com- that I have ever known.” Together, they upon foreigners were not limited to these mon struggle against it. continued the speech. Davis also stated and attempts were made to withdraw all Following the lunch break, the session, that she could never forget the solidarity the rights of foreigners by newly enacted entitled “Political Isolation in the USA” message written on a toilet paper by Turk- immigration laws. Erdem stated that reac- started at 14:00 hours, where Prof. Angela ish political prisoners, smuggled out of tionary laws are brought up when native Davis, one of the prominent names of the prison and was secretly sent to her prison and foreign organisations do not cooper- African-American Liberation Movement in 1972. Davis declared that she bows ate in Europe, the spirit of solidarity is at in the US, Efia Nwangaza, the leader of with respect before the resistance in Turk- the lowest ebb and in the aftermath of Jericho Movement and the spokesperson ish prisons, clenched hands with Ahmet 11th September, demagogies of terrorism Paulette d’Arteuil for Native American Kulaksiz and closed her speech with the against Moslem populations in force Leonard Peltier, who had been incarcerat- slogan “Long live Socialism!” and salut- whereas 'black lists', Anti-Terror Laws ed for 30 years in the US took the floor. ed the floor. In standing ovation, hundreds and European Army within the context of On the anniversary of the December 19th of spectators chanted “Long live Revolu- the European Constitution are brought -22nd massacre and in order to support tionary Solidarity!” and eagerly saluted about. the symposium, and stage a solidarity ac- Angela Davis and Ahmet Kulaksiz. The At the closing stage of his speech, Erdem tion with the death fast, Leonard Peltier night ended with Grup Yorum’s enthusi- stated the following: “The ever-oft used and Veronza Bowers, both political pris- astic songs and chain-dance called halay divide and rule policy is in fact a method oners in the US, sent messages, calling for in Turkish. to isolate workers; native and foreign a united struggle against American Impe- alike. The way to end this isolation is in rialism and its collaborators and indicated the creation of a united struggle. As Ana- their solidarity with all political prisoners THE THIRD DAY (18th December): tolian Federation we are organised in Ger- in Turkey and first and foremost those on Isolation on many first and foremost but also in Aus- Death Fast. popular movements tria, France, Holland, England, Belgium The third session of Saturday entitled and Switzerland. In all places that we are “What is to be done against Isolation and and Organisations organised, we call upon those native and International-Scale Torture” was pre- foreign organisations fighting Agenda sented by speakers from; IRPWA (Irish The first session was dedicated to 2010, Bolkestein directives, 'black lists', Republican Prisoners Welfare Associa- “Breaches of Rights to Resistance and Or- „anti-terror“ laws, militarism, all attempts tion) from Ireland, TAYAD from Turkey, ganisation” Speakers of this Panel were; to usurp rights and freedoms, to join The secretary on behalf of European Nurhan Erdem on behalf of the Anatolian forces with us. This should not be misun- Member of Parliament Karin Resetarits, Federation, Mehmet Gocebe, on behalf of derstood. It is not a call for solidarity. speaker Julien Neeve on behalf of Obser- the Federation for Fundamental Rights This is a call for cooperation. Nobody has vatoire international des prisons-OIP and Ozlem Pembe Olgun on behalf of the the luxury of being in solidarity with us. (Observers of International Prisons) Youth Federation from Turkey, Gaby Ties This is because our problems are every- from France, representatives from on behalf of MLPD (Marxist-Leninist body’s problems. Let us unite and fight ADEEL (Association for Protection of Party of Germany), Pavlos Anatopoulos for our rights and freedoms. Fundamental Rights in Europe) and on behalf of the Greek Federation of Pub- Mehmet Gocebe, who took the floor, DOE from Greece. Mihri Belli, one of lic Servants, Saleh Nazzal from Ministry stressed “The state’s operations on 20 the first members of the Turkish Com- for Prisoners on behalf of Palestinian Ad- prisons on December 19th and the isola- munist Movement has also participated ministration, Julio Diaz on behalf of tion that followed were policies of impe- in the session and despite his high age, PCPE (Communist Party of the Peoples rialism, and all the enacted laws were exhibited the spirit and loyalty to the of Spain-Partido Comunista De Los ‘confirmed by the EU’. The characteris- revolutionary ideals. Panelists of this Pueblos de Espana) Jean Marie Antolini tics of this resistance are being a barricade session stressed the necessity to organise on behalf of Committee Against Oppres- against imperialist policies. The decisive- the prisoners’ associations at an interna- sion in Corsica. ness of the resistance stimulates the world tional level and the need for the political The opening speech of the panel included left and revolutionaries.” In concluding prisoners to act in unison. an IPAI declaration on ‘black lists’ and his speech, he suggested that this sympo-

7 I S O L A T I O N sium must grow even bigger, indicating He further stated that the labor movement bert from Argentina, Irene Claussen on that not a hall of 600 but 6,000 should be in every country and continent is on the behalf of International Forum from Den- the venue and not with contributors from rise and that the latest incidents in France mark and journalist Alex Moumbaris, 29 countries but 129. were examples of it. He finished by say- French citizen of Greek origin, who was Ozlem Olgun, who took the floor on being “If and when workers are organised, imprisoned in South Africa for revolu- half of Youth Federation, described the di- the victory will be ours!” tionary activities and was freed in an ac- mensions of the effect of isolation on Uni- On behalf of Ministry for Prisoners in tion of freedom by South African Com- versities and the youth. She stated that Palestine, Saleh Nazzal demanded in his munist Party participated. universities were surrounded by cameras speech: “Yell until your voice is heard Taylan Tanay spoke on behalf of HHB and that every step is being monitored, about political prisoners and let them hear and stated that the savagery of the De- whether in the canteen, corridors, in lec- your voice. Not only with solidarity cember 19th -22nd massacre was obvious ture theatres. Whilst students find it diffi- across the world, but also by actually and legitimacy was walked over. The cult to go to the university fascists were make them hear our voices we can help meaning of it was the same, and it was for wandering around comfortably and that in them. A lot of people know about torture. prisoners as well as the people of Turkey recent attacks nearly 150 progressive and But nobody knows about isolation.” Naz- to become isolated. He said: ’Those did- liberal students were injured in fascist at- zal went on telling the conditions and ‘X- n’t die were prosecuted and those carried tacks. Cells’ in Israeli prisons. He explained: out the massacre were given distin- She expressed that due to the obstacles ‘No sunlight, dirty and extremely humid, guished service medals’ He went on de- the students face, their rights of education no newspaper, no television, no radio, scribing the initial transition to F-Type are being victimized and they were not al- singing and chats from one window to an- [prisons] and that his clients Ali Osman lowed in schools. other is not allowed, almost no visit at all. Kose and Ercan Kartal having been kept She revealed that at a secret session YOK Prisoners are always subjected to insults under intense isolation, almost being [Turkish Higher Education Board] has es- and provocations. abandoned to death. Tanay described F- tablished a policy as how to prevent revo- PCPE representative Julio Diaz took the Type practices in detail and explained that lutionary-progressive students. floor and stated “there are serious attacks initially they had no legal foundations and Olgun gave a striking example as to how on democratic rights and freedoms. Zapa- were administered according to a docu- a rector had a session of interrogation tero’s policies hide his actual interests. ment called Master Plan. However pris- with torture on a student, who attended We are in a position that we will have to oners had certain rights, which were as- the legal May Day demonstration and fight energetically against oppressions, certained in various statutes and regula- added that yet another factor that isolates collaborator governments and the vio- tions. The master plan then was replaced the education were private universities, so lence of the system.” by the new TPC [Turkish Penal Code], that people would receive education ac- Jean Marie Antolini, the representative of enacted in June 1st, 2005. He said: “The cording to their budgets. Olgun stated that Committee Against Oppression in Corsi- new TPC restricts advocates duties and “whilst thousands of teachers were unem- ca, reported that due to its strategic posi- usurps the rights of prisoners to the ex- ployed, there are thousands more students tion, Corsica has always been occupied treme.” He stated that in order to make the without teachers.” And pointed out that throughout the history. However, every isolation policies digested, the state in- universities do not educate honest, patri- time they defeated the invaders and at one tends to cancel the right to resist along otic youth but a generation addicted to stage France was forced to withdraw. He with any kind of resistance and death drugs and prostitutions and that all de- said: “Whilst invading Corsica, French strikes. This is not rulership of law over mands and expectations are met with de- breach their own laws and apply illegal the state; this is state ruling the legisla- tentions and investigations. She rounded methods. According to French laws, a tion. up her speech by stating that the resist- prisoner must be kept close to his family. Tanay continued by referring to “Inhuman ance against F-Type prisons is a struggle But prisoners generally exiled to Paris. treatments outside Turkey, such as Abu not against F-Type prisons but to the ten- Prisoners are trying to gain political sta- Gharib, Guantanamo Bay, Bagram, CIA’s dency to turn life in entirety into F-Type tus, but so far this hasn’t been achieved. clandestine prisons did not limit their ac- and remarked “We are prepared to give In some cases prisoners can be kept with- tivities to prisoners but also extended our lives for that resistance!” out trial for up to 8 years.” their intentions to apply isolation policies On behalf of Greek Federation of Public upon peoples’ and these were carried out Servants, Pavlos Anatopoulos took the The second panel of day 3: through Black Lists and Terrorism dema- floor and suggested “The deeper the con- gogies. tradictions of capitalism are, the harsher Isolation, Taylan Tanay referred to the Black lists, the oppression of the state. Workers must Black Lists and Law’ which threatens the entire world and resist for their wages, rights but also called upon the lawyers in the sympo- against imperialist policies of aggression. The panel started with a message from sium to set up a legal commission. Whilst The only path for all peoples is to resist to Halil Huseyin Abu Jabal from Golan rounding up his speech by quoting imperialist plans.” He stated that the Heights, Syria, being read out. Taylan Odilon Barrot’s “Legitimisation brings struggle must be combined and that capi- Tanay, lawyer from Halkin Hukuk Burosu death” he said: ‘I salute you on behalf of talism was trying to divide the workers. [People’s Legal Bureau-HHB], Istanbul, those revolutionary prisoners, who lay Further, he exemplified how the struggles Advocate Jan Fermon from Belgium, their bodies to death against the inhuman of revolutionaries in various countries Committee to Struggle Against Article treatments and whose hearts are here in were distorted as terrorism. 270 from Italy, Law professor Adrian Al- this hall!’

8 I S O L A T I O N

Belgian lawyer Jan Fermon gave informa- justify their wars and invasions? So, 11 wrote the ‘beloved dictionary section of tion about [Jose Maria] Sison, the leader September was a bonus to them. So they ‘Vizgelir’[I dare] magazine in the form of of the National Democratic Front of the could declare war against terror. In 2002 a poem and staged it. The magazine is be- Philippines [NDFP]. He said: ‘My client they rolled up their sleeves and listed ing drawn-up in English in Sincan F-Type was blacklisted without being told so.’ He FARC, DHKP-C, ETA, PKK … For good prison. This was followed up by enthusi- stated two aspect of the black lists; first; measure they added a few showpiece Is- astic anthems; songs, chain dance and the Spanish Inquisitions and second; the lamist groups. Anti-terror laws allow any Grup Yorum came to the stage. The night policies and practices, which were re- kind of arbitrary measure and makes anti- ended with hundreds of people doing the moved by the French Revolution and imperialist struggle more difficult. chain dance whilst the last singer Eren were later brought back. He said that the The organisation ‘Opror’, in Danish Can sang her beloved songs and increased arrest of Sisson was decided during a se- meaning ‘revolt’, hit trouble with the po- the exuberance of the participants. cret session of the EP and no explanation lice. This was because it donated € 700 was made, that even his lawyers were not each to FARC and PFLP. After the head of told anything, but were hinted that ‘secret the Opror was arrested the organisation THE FOURTH DAY (19th December): dossiers existed’, that they were subject to wrote letters to 100 organisations, invit- Press Release ‘internal security matters’. He also sug- ing them to donate money to organisa- gested: ‘There are secret lists that are be- tions listed in the terror list. The website 35 delegates who participated in the Sym- ing kept away from the people of Spain, of this call was curbed. Now, the Danish posium from countries like; the USA, even the reasons for being blacklisted Court will decide whether PFLP and Russia, Palestine, Lebanon, Italy, France, could not be disclosed.’ FARC are terrorist [organisations] or not. Iraq, Turkey, Chile, Canada, Argentine, In some cases bank accounts are frozen. They will obtain a so-called experts’ re- Germany, Denmark, Holland and other Sison’s only crime was having a bank ac- port for this. countries attended the press release. At count, where the state social security ben- Irene Clausen stressed that she wished to the press release which was located in the efit is being deposited. It was suggested leave the symposium with a concrete de- Gymnass theatre a significant emphasis that this account was supporting terror- cision. For instance either a conference was placed on the December 19th -22nd ism. Due to not having any account, he is entitled ‘Fighting for freedom is not ter- massacre, and the conclusion of the now without any benefit and deprived of rorism’ or to organise a march in Brussels. Fourth International Symposium against his rights. Let alone medical insurance, he The representative of the Committee Isolation was finalized. cannot even have a car insurance. He stat- Against Article 270 (anti-terror law) stated that Sisson was being kept under house ed that in Italy oppression is on the rise. arrest and the role of the media was to dis- He stated that the laws that were meant to play him as if he was a terrorist. be against foreigners and religious organ- Law Professor Adrian Albor stated that he isations were in fact ‘Anti-Terror’ laws spoke on behalf of the Federation of the and with the help of media and laws, any Homeless and Landless and talked about oppressed person can be falsely shown as “the prison system so-called ‘Cell 29’, ‘terrorist’ and those participating in the which he explained to have been built 4 struggle, expressing their solidarity will metres under the ground. 240 prisoners be accused of being a terrorist. Now rev- live 23 hours of the day in complete isola- olutionaries are being subjected to 41bis tion. Only one hour a day they come up to Act that meant total isolation and was French writer Henri Alleg also joined the commemoration feel the sun on their faces. They have to used against Mafia. He stated that their PROTEST AGAINST THE wear uniforms. They have no right to committee’s main priority was standing communicate. Radio, Television, newspa- against Article 270 and they were organ- 19th-22nd DECEMBER pers are completely forbidden. Visitors ising solidarity actions with prisoners and MASSACRE can only see inmates behind glass parti- published a political-legal defence hand- tions and talk to them via the telephone. book. In rounding up his speech, he sug- The protest which was organised by the Even their advocates are always under gested that in order to pre-empt bour- IPAI platform (International Platform threat. The state does not deny such prac- geoisie imperialist policies there is a need Against Isolation) started with a remem- tices anyway. The state dubbed the pris- for tools and equipments. brance ceremony of martyrs, from the oners ‘Tumberos’, meaning; ‘Living in The next speakers were the representa- Communals up to the heroes of 19th De- Coffin-shed’. I hope one day ‘Cell 29’s tives Alexis Lacroix from PCRF (Pôle de cember and those who struggle for inde- will be banned in my country. He stated Renaissance Communiste en France), and pendence, democracy and socialism in that the struggle must keep on, because: Alex Moumbaris, from the Bureau d'In- Palestine, Colombia, Iraq, Turkey, Nepal “Only a given up struggle is a lost strug- formation Presse, who expressed the need and others all around the world. Delegates gle!” for International unity for democratic from 15 different countries attended the Irene Claussen said: “After the cold war rights. protest that was entitled "From the Com- ended, Bush declared that Communist This was followed by the organised munals to The Great Struggle". It was was dead. But imperialism had a problem. ‘THOSE WHO RESIST, SURVIVE’ stated that the determination of the organ- It needed an enemy. Otherwise, how night. After the Palestinian Folklore isation which formed the Great Struggle would they market the high capacity Group Dabke, anti-imperialist poets from and the belief underlying this created the weapons and to whom? How would they Canada, Chile, Spain and Hungary play- concept of the "free captive"; the French

9 I S O L A T I O N author Henri Alleg also participated in the Bell, Veronza Bowers, Ed Poindexter, remembrance. Mondo Langa, Herman Wallace, Albert SPEECHES The remembrance ceremony took place in Woodfox; from the organisation On The front of the wall where Communals were Move Michael, Charles Simms, Delbert, executed by shooting in 1871. During the William Phillips, Edward Goodman, WAR AND OCCUPATION commemoration ceremony a wreath was Janet Holloway, Janine Phillips, Debbie laid, on which was written in French and Simms, African American captives who Turkish "The heroes do not die, The people have been prisoners for 20 years and tak- Ahmad Soueissi, director of the cannot be defeted" and the role of the EU en their leader John Africa’s surname; the NGO "North-South XXI" in the 19th December massacre was stated anti-imperialist captive Cassidy Wheeler; (Assistant of honor president of the 4th on a banner which was written in French. the political and prisoner of war from symposium, the first state president of With the banner the protesters paid their re- Puerto Rico Oscar Lopez Rivera, Carlos 'Free Algeria' Ahmet Ben Bella.) spects in front of the monument. Alberto Torres, Haydee Beltran Torres, DHKC International also attended the Jose Velez Acosta, Jose Perez Gonzales. I take part in this symposium in my ca- protest with Party-Front flags and slo- Germany: Communist captive Rainer Dit- pacity of director of the North-South gans, representing the struggle for social- trich and anti-imperialist prisoner Thomas Foundation, which is an international or- ism, continuing from the Communals to Meyer-Falk. ganisation established at Geneva for the the present. Switzerland: Marco Camenisch, environ- past 17 years, presided over by President In the cemetery the crowd visited graves mentalist prisoner. Ben Bella. The subject of this symposium of French Communist martyrs, those who Republican, socialist, political and the is an everyday one for those of us from were executed by shooting during the prisoners of war in Ireland's prisons ( they the countries of the South. I come from Nazi occupation, and those who were participated in a one day solidarity hunger Lebanon, I am Lebanese, I am an Arab, I killed in prisons and in camps, and carna- strike) am from the south Mediterranean, I am tions were laid at their graves. At the end France: PCE(r) captives; the Communist from the Third World which still lives un- of the visit protesters visited the graves of Party-Innovatory captive Jaoquin Garrido der economic and political oppression at Ahmet Kaya and Yilmaz Guney, revolu- Gonzalez and the Lebanese revolutionary the same time. An everyday theme be- tionary artists from Turkey. George Ibrahim Abdallah, captive for 22 cause it is a weapon of the oppressors, years. who I would call the new rulers of the DECEMBER 19TH-22ND: In Spain: PCE(r) and GRAPO prisoners. world. The new rulers of the world who A group of Basque prisoners who are cap- represent savage capitalism, which advo- INTERNATIONAL tives in different countries as a result of cates a globalisation which aims to deter- SOLIDARITY FROM the politics of dispersion. mine the destiny of the human race for POLITICAL PRISONERS Italy: ‘1st of April-operation’ captives decades to come. Zeynep Kilic and Avni Er. Globalisation, whose effects are being The great struggle against F-Type Prisons Ukraine: Revolutionary Communist pris- seen through a new phenomenon - mili- and the struggle of free prisoners are an in- oners Aleksander Gerassimov, Bogdan tarised globalisation. It is no longer eco- spiration for the International Struggle Zirchenko and Andrey Yakovenko. nomic globalisation but now military Against Isolation Platform’s establishment Russian Federation: Communist captives globalisation. and it has announced those days as days of Igor Danilov, Aleksander Smirnov, Ilya The current US administration is a fla- International Struggle. This struggle has at- Romanov. grant example of this new globalisation. tracted attention from all over the world. Moldavia: The Communist prisoner Unfortunately the countries of the south From USA to Russia, in many countries Yevgeny Cemenov. experience this in the most direct fashion. captives participated by solidarity hunger Turkey: Hundreds of revolutionary cap- On the one hand there are governments strike and solidarity messages during the tives in the F-types and other prisons. in the south supported by the north. But when I talk of the north, I mean the gov- past four years in respect of the Death Fast. There were also others who participated in ernments. I am talking of the G8, I am The participation in this hunger strike in- the hunger strike but for different reasons talking of NATO and of the political es- creases every year. This year, those who we did not receive written confirmation. tablishments which underpin globalisa- are participating in the International If you wish to receive the addresses of the tion. The south suffers the consequences Hunger Strike from all over the world be- prisoners please send us a short message: and we see it very clearly, especially in long to different groups; revolutionary, so- [email protected]. cialist, anarchist, environmentalist, patri- the very close examples of Palestine and ots; and those who are participating and (Since the beginning of the Death Fast on 20th Octo- Iraq. In Palestine, it has been open war- ber, 2000, Rainer Dittrich has continuously been on fare for more than half a century. It is not confirmed it in writing are as follows: hunger strike for four and a half days and with two USA: Gerardo Hernandes, Ramon Laban- and a half day intervals for six years as an act of sol- necessary to give many examples. But ino Salazar (Luis Medina), Antonio Guer- idarity with the Death Fast. Although his health con- there has been particular deterioration in dition has deteriorated he states that his willpower is the situation since the people of Pales- rero Rodriguez, Fernando Gonzalez Llort bound to the Great Struggle against the F-Type Pris- (Ruben Campa), Rene Gonzalez Sehwer- ons and it will continue until the isolation is lifted. tine have been accused of terrorism. ert, also known as the Cuban Five; Native His protest has been an immense example of solidar- The current theme of globalisation is about ity. Some of the political groups in Turkey isolated demonising all resistance by organisations American captive Leonard Peltier; Black themselves from the struggle. When we take this into Panther captives Mumia Abu Jamal, Jalil account we will have an even better understanding of by accusing them of terrorism. Bush, Muntaqim, Sundiata Accoli, Herman the proletarian internationalist position of Rainer.) NATO, the EU and globalisation conduct

10 I S O L A T I O N war against the south under the heading of cause it bows down to globalisation. Eu- at putting American hands on Iraqi petrol. "terrorism". This is what they call resist- ropean society runs on a two-speed en- (It is China that is affected. China has no ance. What happens in Palestine bears wit- gine unfortunately. A society where one energy sources, and the USA wants to ness to this, and the same is true of Iraq. part runs with globalisation and is thor- deepen its influence on petrol sources in I was speaking with my friend Awni who oughly anti-democratic, and another part the regions around China.) If I succeed in is an Iraqi and he will talk about Iraq as he that is marginalised. There is a conflict in explaining to public opinion that it is a knows more about it than I do. the West, a crisis of civilisation. The con- dirty war, this really targets the interests But it is also our fault, the fault of the de- flict is visible in the regression in the roles of a handful of people (the Texans who mocrats and the left in the countries of the of political parties of left and right. But are behind the Bush administration), so south. In our ranks, in Palestine, and espe- above all in the curtailment in the rights it's brainwashing, an anti-democratic cially in Iraq, up to now there has been a of social movements, and trade unions to practice. So that's where political oppres- great mixture of resistance and sabotage start with. This is a new phenomenon and sion lies, too. It's not just negligence, it is of resistance. What the ordinary viewer it is a result of the high-speed version of a policy thoroughly planned out and de- sees on European TV every day is con- globalisation that left-wing militants and signed in a democratic country. stant reports of attacks on civilians. At- even democratic militants cannot explain So I might condemn a general who has tacks on mosques, attacks on markets… or have not the time to explain these dan- staged a coup d’etat. But it isn't enough to Nobody talks about attacks on the Ameri- gers and convince their base of the dan- condemn him, it is above all necessary to can occupiers. But there are many, and the gers of globalisation. condemn the "top models" followed by Americans talk about it. They mention 40 Political oppression is at another stage in such a general. Not just the people who attacks every day on the American army. this process. It is no longer a case of a pris- supported him but also the force which But Western TV constantly talks of at- oner held hostage by some colonel or gen- forms a potential to bring someone like tacks on civilians. These do not stem from erals and left to rot in some prison or oth- Le Pen to power in France one day. the resistance but we are at fault for not er, in Turkey, Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Mo- The election run-off between Le Pen and denouncing these attacks ourselves. rocco or wherever. No. It goes much deep- Mr. Chirac was no chance occurrence. In These attacks serve the purposes of the er and is much more dangerous than that. It a democratic society like France, it could American occupation so they can say: isn't the model we knew during the cold not be. I am afraid that a Le Pen who is "The resistance is terrorist." war. Political oppression is today an every- not the Le Pen of today could one day We are in Paris, which was a centre of re- day practice in the "democratic" West. come to power in France. This is quite sistance to the Nazis. Nobody can con- I am in complete agreement with the para- possible. But under other labels. And that vince European citizens that resistance to graph in the message from Mr President is where the political oppression lies. an occupation is an act of terrorism. But Ben Bella in which he says that "these op- Putting a dozen, a hundred or a thousand there are people in the south who are not pressors in the south are the favoured militants in prison is less dangerous than part if the resistance but do the work of clientele of Western democracy." putting an entire nation in a political the occupation in this way. Unfortunately There is where we democrats are at fault, prison. The channeling of thought is now there is not yet the courage to denounce both in the south and in the north. If I being planned systematically in Western such actions. These acts are by fundamen- have laid particular stress on this self-crit- countries. That is where the real danger talists who are merely serving the other icism in talking of political oppression, it lies, true political oppression. fundamentalists called neo-cons who is because I want to say that we have a reign in the White House in Washington. part in it. We have a part in it for not de- (Ahmad Soueissi reading the message of But in fact, is this demonisation of the re- nouncing these new forms of political op- Mr. Ben Bella) sistance by chance or is it the result of a pression. This new form of it is complete- As Southern half globe consisting of the certain culture in the West? Those of us ly different. Television gets into every African continent that I represent and the who know the West well, who have lived house. But we can't. Television is a form Arabic World, it's my duty to honour and here, studied here, have received a sort of of cultural oppression. A very advanced support your various struggles in order to brainwashing that "all resistance should form of oppression in this democracy. oppose all kinds of repression. be abolished". Globalisation has its in- How could I imagine that official and The experiences I gathered from the struments of hypocrisy, starting with the state TV has a policy completely different Mediterranean coasts, which are a chosen hypocrisy dominant in Western democra- from public opinion. When the US ag- place of the conflict between civiliza- cy. One talks of democracy, human rights, gression against Iraq started, all the opin- tions, permit me to speak with clear opposing oppression but for example one ion polls said 60 to 70% of the French words about the relations of power and is with Ben Ali in Tunisia. At Paris there were against the war, but all the French sovereignty. is a celebration of a Day of the Israeli TV channels were for Bush. There is a As long as the women and men in the Army which has been an occupation army manipulation going on, an abuse of media South aren't free, it is impossible to fight for over 50 years. And at the same time all power to brainwash public opinion in a the market laws, which are directed by the the militants and resistance fighters are at- democratic country. But let us not forget multinational companies and govern- tacked for saying "no" to this hypocrisy. I that fascist forces have done the same ments of the North. also find that the European left, the West- thing. Fascism finds its way into demo- The freedom I talk about is the freedom ern left tends to abdicate its responsibili- cratic societies by means of brainwash- of action, thoughts and self-determination. ties, though I apologise to Mr Alleg, a ing. We have to condemn the practice, not As long as the prisons are filled with mil- great militant, and others for my saying the label. I have to brainwash someone to itants, our societies can't get out of the that. It abdicates its responsibilities be- tell them that the war on Iraq was aimed dead-end.

11 I S O L A T I O N

Time has come to leave the duality of eco- countries, the multiplication of racist and service refused to admit that they had nomical and political attack. neo-fascist groups and the fact that the committed such infamies, as during the It's time to explain to our people the close new conservatives are in power in the liberation war in Algeria, during the fight relation between the two factors of low USA, build a certain potential for this against the apartheid regime in South development, even out this hell, and the danger. Africa and during the bloody dictator- relation between the external economic ships in Latin America, nowadays it has hegemony and internal political repres- Dear friends, been possible to encounter those who sions. In our countries these factors in It should be on our agenda to put an end boast of it and even, in the case of the general complete each other. The chatter to oppression worldwide. Otherwise, we United States and Israel, aim to legislate of the big gasbags in the North saying are neither able to protect our independ- for these practices to be made normal and "end to democracy", is nothing else than ence nor to step forward. One day I said, legal. It is the rehabilitation, resurrection product of the new lies that have been ex- that it would be necessary to officially and institutionalisation of a new Inquisi- ported to the South. Unfortunately, op- stop the programs on "Mars", in order to tion, assisted by propaganda which aims pression is still a good investment value establish peace in the world. Today, I'm to justify the unjustifiable repression ex- for the exploiters of the North. Further- repeating that it is necessary to turn all ercised against anti-imperialist fighters more, it is indeed not by accident that the prisons to a school and to announce every and anti-fascist, anti-racist militants, in tyrants of the South are protected and political prisoner as teacher. the name of alleged security measures trusty customers of them. Today, the item We have to force our governments in that aimed at preventing terrorism and subver- "democratic society" is used as decoration way. sion. for the mouth-filling, empty words of The removal of oppression is the bridge For that is how the abusive treatment re- politicians. Israel is recognized as the that leads to humanity, future and served for prisoners held in the jails of only country in the region with a demo- progress. Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo is hypo- cratic title. critically presented. That is how Euro- But this so-called democratic country pean leaders pretend to be convinced with the construction of its colonizing, Henri Alleg, French writer that the government of Turkey is taking dispersing, murderous, oppressive and ra- all the necessary measures to make its geous wall and its politics of "apartheid", Ladies, gentlemen, dear friends and com- prison system conform to principles of it is the only imperialist mini-power in the rades, respect for human rights, while it holds region. As soon as the oppressed and Allow me first of all to express my warm thousands of political prisoners, many helpless Palestinian people show their re- regards to the organisers of this sympo- of whom are compelled to die on hunger action, they are directly accused of "ter- sium and to those who replied to their in- strike to defend their own dignity rorism"! vitation. Holding it is not merely a great against the inhuman treatment inflicted solidarity action for political prisoners, on them. With the same cynicism, so- Dear friends, who are victims of a barbaric system of called US justice keeps five patriotic It's time to come to following result: isolation, imed at breaking and finally Cubans in jail, whose crime is to have 1. The democracy of the West has to un- eliminating through physical and moral tried to unmask anti-Castro terrorists derstand that it won't be able to both rule torture patriots and fighters for freedom, who act on behalf of US intelligence the world and to talk of democracy. in a way first tried out on a large scale in agencies, and it also keeps the African- It's impossible to be the ruler and democ- Turkey and then extended to Iraq and American journalist Mumia Abu Jumal rat at the same time. The reality that the Afghanistan and other countries under the in prison under sentence of death, as hegemony of the economy in the South is sway of America - it is also an expression well as the Indian leader Leonard Pelti- part of the politics of the North is undeni- of an immense protest movement by hun- er, both of them accused of crimes they able. dreds of millions of people on all conti- never committed. 2. The politics of war and force of the nents against the attempt to establish a We must also condemn the scandalous at- USA and its allies, don't allow further system of oppression and exploitation titude of certain European leaders, who space for democracy. The War on Iraq, the aimed at universal political, economic do not hesitate to be complicit in Ameri- continuous threats towards the govern- and military domination. can and Israeli policies pursued in the ment of Venezuela, which has been elect- It has never been more urgent and neces- Middle East. So our own governments re- ed by democratic ways, and the scan- sary than it is today to establish unity and main silent about the arrest and imprison- dalous effects of the "War against Terror- activity extending beyond national, reli- ment of Palestinian patriots, and have ism", are the most describing examples gious and political differences, on the part kept the Lebanese anti-imperialist fighter for this reality. of all progressive men and women in the George Ibrahim Abdullah in French jails 3. The Western democracy that is still fed world, supporters of peace, independence, for more than 20 years. Also allow me to with nostalgia isn't far from daily repres- real democracy, justice and liberty, oppos- draw your attention to the case of a dem- sion. This is proven by the colonialist ing the offensive that has been unleashed ocratic and patriotic Iraqi, about whom measurements in the colonized countries. by reactionary forces. both official circles and the media contin- Until the '70s fascist and dictatorial Alas, there is no lack of examples of bar- ue to remain silent, despite all the grave regimes in Europe followed one after the baric repression, of governments violat- concern that arises from his situation. He other. Nowadays, this danger is growing ing even their own laws. And if some is named Suleiman Irzayik Abduljabar, increasingly. The increase of the extreme years ago, those responsible for this poli- better known under his family name Al right that is visible in many European cy, and murderers and torturers in their Kubaysi. After a death threat, he had to

12 I S O L A T I O N leave Iraq in Saddam Hussein's time - two which is spreading ever wider, but also law and every form of repression is legit- of his brothers, senior army officers, were for the hundreds of millions of men and imate as part of the war on "terrorism". executed. With his wife and young son, he women who do not accept that the cus- Scarcely 15 years ago the governments of fled to France, where he received political toms of the capitalist law of the jungle the world and international opinion con- refugee status. After the invasion of Iraq and the business, political and military sidered Iraq to be a gigantic prison and by American forces, he was deceived by mafias in its service have come to consti- what happened there to be detestable of the claims that democracy had been estab- tute the universal law. Nor will it! worthy of denunciation. Everyone de- lished, and he returned to Iraq, where he It is in this spirit that we pursue our battle, nounced the regime back then. was arrested in September 2004 on the or- profoundly convinced that this century Since the repressive Iraqi regime was ders of the Americans, and handed over to will, despite all obstacles, give rise to a considered to that, 25 million Iraqis were the Iraqi puppets who serve the Ameri- new world without exploitation, oppres- subjected to the worst conditions of life cans. Since then he has been held at a sion and poverty, to the birth of a human- and privations, to lack of food, drinkable camp located near Baghdad Airport. ity that is at last united, free, just, fraternal water, rights and education, by a criminal Some weeks ago, one of his brothers was and respectful to all. And as the Cubans embargo in which hundreds of thousands able to see him for about ten minutes. say: "Venceremos!" We will win! of children and old people lost their lives. Since then, there has been silence, and it And all this was justified to public opin- is impossible for his wife and two chil- ion since the government repressed and dren who live in France, and his support- Awni AL-KALEMJI, spokesman imprisoned its citizens. The criminal ers, to learn about his fate and what has of the Iraqi Patriotic Alliance weapon of the embargo was used on we happened to him. The French ambassador Iraqis, involving the murder of tens of there has said he can do nothing. But isn't thousands of children. This could have it more likely that the French authorities been understood if they had found the refuse to ask questions about what the weapons of mass destruction, since this American occupiers and their local was the key argument for launching the stooges are up to? war in the first place. But after this second However, it would be quite wrong to war and the destruction - all was proved. think that the questions raised at our gath- Even Powell admitted to the whole world ering today only involve foreign coun- that it had been founded on false argu- tries, directly or indirectly, as well as the ments. relations with foreign militants to whom Despite all that, no civilised country has we feel close and to whom we show par- admitted that the poor Iraqis were unjust- ticular solidarity. No, current policies of What previous speakers have described, ly punished. Millions of dollars in com- reaction and complicity with US imperi- namely repression across the world, is in pensation have been demanded in other alism that are being condemned here also Iraq a concentrated expression of all the cases, like in the Lockerbie bombing. have directly negative consequences effects that have been detailed. These families received compensation within France itself. The foreigners who Decades ago, appeals were made to or- while hundreds of thousands of Iraqis are received on French soil and who are ganisations,associations, movements de- were condemned to death, and all the expelled wholesale on charter flights are fending human rights, calling on them to while there has been nobody to say that the first victims of it, but they are not the reveal the behaviour of regimes and au- the people of Iraq should receive com- only ones. The children of immigrants, thorities which imprisoned and tortured pensation. Basing themselves on false ar- born in France, know about it, for they are their citizens. guments, they not merely invaded Iraq, discriminated against when it comes to But today, thanks to the policies of the they destroyed a nation, they destroyed finding accommodation or a job, and are American administration, George Bush the structures of the state, laid waste to the always suspect in the eyes of government Junior and the neo-cons, we no longer economy, and condemned generations of ministers who make a political platform need to make appeals to specialist associ- Iraqis to poverty and suffering. Ordinary out of xenophobia, not to speak of racism. ations to inform public opinion of the citizens were subjected to extermination, And people of French origin, like citizens crimes that have been committed - for it is to massive destruction. of other European countries, also know American policy itself which mobilised Besides what other speakers have said that they are not immune from police the media and it is the media which tele- about this dark period, something the peo- searches, day or night, or denunciation vise what has happened in the prisons of ple know well today, a small note of hope from informers, all under a pretext of se- Iraq, since American policy has aimed at has been sounded by the effects of the war curity. Nor are they immune from pro- imposing such repression on a planetary in Iraq: through resistance, the Iraqi peo- ceedings on the part of regimes who see scale. In the past, authorities called to ac- ple are proving that we are capable of potential enemies - even a terrorist in the count did everything in their power to challenging this criminal system. future - in all who oppose or appear to op- plead not guilty. They tried to prove that The workers, peasants, soldiers, ordinary pose their policies. An attitude which can the information had no grounding in fact citizens and intellectuals of Iraq who are only give rise to a very dangerous cli- and that they were not practising a repres- in the resistance are aware that they are mate. sive policy. defending their liberty and their sover- That is why this symposium is so impor- Today, thanks to US policy, regimes eignty. They also know that their battle on tant. Not only for those who fight for pris- across the planet consider imprisonment Iraqi soil is of concern to the whole of hu- oners and for all victims of a repression and torture to be a part of international manity.

13 I S O L A T I O N

The United States of America thought drills to perforate sexual organs, arms, Bruno Drweski, Editor of the they could occupy Iraq, win a swift victo- legs, even the heads of prisoners. Several magazine "La Pensee Libre" ry and then set in motion a process of cases of people being tortured to death ("Free Thought") domination and contrived novelty which were confirmed. Scarcely a week ago, they have called "the project for a new news agencies mentioned the testimony I would like to say a little about the Middle East", but in occupying Iraq, they of a general in the Iraqi Interior Ministry Kubaysi case without repeating too much have merely opened wide the gates of named Mr Sami Rayi who fled Baghdad of what has been said previously. hell. to meet representatives of the AFP agency I would like to talk about him, but obvi- The defeat of the United States in Iraq has in Amman, and who gave them a film he ously one must be aware that the issue of yet to be announced openly. But the US had shot himself of what goes on in the political prisoners and public opinion in administration and US public opinion secret prisons of the current pro-Ameri- Iraq is up against a major blackout in know that the war is lost. European and can government of Iraq. most of the Western media. There is a world opinion also know that the US In this situation the US administration has problem of accessing information. The forces have lost the war in Iraq. But it is promised to check the situation in 30 cur- blackout is near total. Collective of vari- the Iraqi people above all who are con- rently existing prisons in which there is ous associations has managed to put out a vinced of this. torture. certain amount of material using the Inter- In conclusion, recall the arrogance with What are the latest torture findings? The net. What Subhi said about prisoners cov- which George Bush decided to unleash skin of Iraqi prisoners is torn off. Photos ers something that is on a vast scale, since war and invade Iraq, recall how he exist proving that this happens. there are 50,000 prisoners according to scorned the international community, the On a number of Iraqi websites you can the official figures of the Iraqi govern- United Nations, "old" Europe, nearly the find images of unheard-of barbarity. Go- ment that the Americans installed. There whole world. While today Mr Bush has to ing beyond the situation of prisoners and may well be more. In this context I want run to the UN and the Arab League. He torture in Iraq, the situation is effectively to raise the case of Abdul Jabbar Al seeks the good offices of the Arab League as described by my friend Al Kalemji, Kubaysi, who is one prisoner among a to find a solution. who could express hope: namely that the vast mass of prisoners. I am not speaking in the name of the re- resistance of the Iraqi people is showing His case could be regarded as a typical sistance. I address everyone who is inter- the world that it can challenge the occupa- example. And in his case it is a matter of ested in the injustice suffered by the Iraqi tion, even oblige the occupiers to leave revealing, even of dragging out, informa- people and I call on you to mobilise and our country as soon as possible. tion and indeed concessions on behalf of show solidarity with their resistance. In this sense a number of initiatives have all political prisoners and public opinion Thank you. recently been taken by the Iraqi resist- in Iraq. ance. The latest is that the Iraqi resistance Abdul Jabbar Al Kubaysi is a former po- has informed the member states of the Se- litical refugee in France. Subhi Toma, Iraqi sociologist curity Council of a political plan allowing He went back to Iraq and established a living in exile in France the Americans to leave Iraq swiftly. daily newspaper. On September 4, 2004, You can find the text of this communique American troops arrested him. They used Thank you for this invitation. on the Iraqi Resistance site. helicopters and armoured vehicles. His In truth, the Iraqi people have need of All the UN member states have been in- house was surrounded. He was detained friends who give them the opportunity to formed of the plan. and then disappeared completely. speak about the cause of the Iraqi people. Its 20th point is that we Iraqis call on the The American military in charge of his Since the theme of today's work is dis- Americans to leave Iraq in the next six neighbourhood said it was not them but cussing prisons and torture, I intended to months, and if the Americans do so in this rather Negroponte's service who did it. speak about the imprisonment of our time, Iraqis propose a political solution Negroponte is the US ambassador in Iraq, friend Abdul Jabbar Al Kubaysi. with a programme for a free Iraq. who was responsible for establishing But Mr Henri Alleg has mentioned the The plan for such a free Iraqi government death squads in Central America. case of Al Kubaysi, and my friend Bruno has been worked out and is available to Those who seriously wanted to restore Drweski will be talking about it also. those who can read Arabic and English. It democracy in Iraq are not even respected. So I will confine myself to telling you will soon be translated into French. Pub- This being the case, it took more than a what is currently happening in Iraq's pris- lic opinion expects the Iraqi resistance to year of mobilisation both legally as well ons: even the former prime minister of present an image of unity and be able to as in relation to public opinion before an Iraq Allawi is saying that what happens make proposals and offer political solu- initial breakthrough was made. there now is worse than in the times of tions. His family and people generally now Saddam Hussein. There it is, it has been done. There is a know where he is. All that shows that The Americans were recently compelled plan, an initiative and a proposal. It is the pressure from public opinion can gradual- to invade a secret prison under the control first time in an occupied country that a ly obtain results. of the Interior Ministry. In this prison, Resistance proposes a face-saving solu- What we seek is maximum support from they announced that they encountered 174 tion to the occupier. all those who can do something. Whether Iraqi prisoners who had undergone the The Iraqis say to the Americans: "We want through signing petitions, intervening worst tortures. It was declared that the to help you leave. But if you stay, it will with US embassies, or with the govern- bodies of these prisoners had been cruelly unquestionably lead to hell and be much ment, or with the so-called embassy of tormented and the torturers used electric more complicated for you." Thank you. Iraq, so as to keep up the pressure.

14 I S O L A T I O N

If at the end of a year and a half, one has prisoners and all the prisoners of opinion In the name of war against terrorism Iraq succeeded in getting a 10-minute inter- and conscience in the world. is being destroyed and dismantled. In the view; if there is now a collective of Today, in Paris conference, we renew our name of fighting terrorism Israel goes on lawyers in France who are working on full solidarity with the detainees in Turk- with its war aiming at exterminating the this case (and attempts are being made by ish prisons, and I ask the international Palestinian people with the support of the his lawyer to visit Baghdad) the pressure community to send international ob- United States of America. In the name of must be kept up. servers who will work on closing these fighting terrorism embargoes are being As the case of Kubaysi is an exemplary prisons and releasing all the detainees imposed on countries opposed to the one, it is well understood that concessions kept in very bad and inhuman conditions. American domination. in this case mean that final concessions The international carelessness towards In the name of fighting terrorism human can be achieved on general principle, the suffering of Turkish prisoners is the rights conventions are being violated, tor- even while there remains a mass of pris- same nine thousand Palestinian and Arab ture and building secret prisons are be- oners of conscience and political prison- detainees are suffering in Israeli prisons. come allowed. And a wave of racism tar- ers in Iraq. All the prisons are alike and the jailers are geting the refugees and emigrants is also alike, had they been in Turkey, Israel, launched throughout Europe. our Arab countries, or elsewhere in the In the name of fighting terrorism the EMBARGO, world. In Turkish prisons they torture the American imperialistic wars are being de- THREAT OF WAR detainees and toss them with an incendi- clared in order to pillage the markets of AND LAWLESSNESS ary bomb. the world and dominate the wealth of peo- In Afghanistan Baghram, they torture the ple. detainees and burn their bodies. In Iraq, The walls of isolation and detention and Mohammed SAFA, Secretary the scandal of torture in Abu Ghraib sent torture and war are surrounding the world General of the Khiam Rehabilita- us back in memory to the previous barbar- and thousands of detainees and prisoners tion Center for Victims of Torture ic centuries. In Guantanamo, the human are suffering under the silence of the (Lebanon) being is deprived its humanity and treated world and its collusion. like a meaningless insect. Paris conference gains an exceptional im- I salute your perseverance to organise this As in Europe, the scandal of American se- portance in fighting the terrorism of isola- international conference against isolation cret prisons and transferring the detainees tion, torture and occupation, had it been in and detention each and every year and through European airports violating the Israeli, Arab, Turkish, American, Euro- transporting it from one country to another. integrity of these country states is still ag- pean, and African prisons. I salute your struggle to make the 17th of gravating. We suggest that this conference turns into December, the anniversary of the bloody In Palestine the occupation forces are de- an international network containing all Turkish massacre against those fasting the taining 32 Lebanese, Palestinian and Jor- the associations and organisations and fast of death for freedom an international danian detainees. Some of them are de- those working against war, isolation and day of solidarity with all the victims of tained for more than 20 years, such as the political detention and torture. Thus, I detention and isolation in the world. Lebanese detainee Samir Al Qontar and call not to make this conference restricted I had the opportunity to participate last the Palestinian detainee Saiid Al Atbah. to speeches and testimonies despite their summer in the Istanbul Conference In France, the land of the French revolu- importance, instead, let's be divided into against isolation upon an invitation from tion, the French authorities are keeping in several workshops in order to put a con- the association of the parents of Turkish custody the Lebanese citizen Georges tinuous work plan against torture. detainees in Turkish prisons. Ibrahim Aabdullah for 22 years now de- We do not want that this important con- Therefore, I met male and female despite the end of his prison sanction. Sev- ference becomes like any other annual tainees; I met mothers of detainees and eral other strivers are detained in Euro- conference where speeches are delivered, the families of the martyrs who died in the pean prisons and Latin America without and afterwards, everyone returns to his brutal massacre carried out by the Turkish any reason against all the international country waiting for the next meeting on authorities. laws. Besides, in our Arab countries, the the 17th of December. We must liberate I had in mind as someone coming from file of political detention is still a threat the conference from its closed walls and Lebanon and Palestine that the Israeli awaiting the activists for human rights organise sit-ins and demonstrations prisons are the cruellest, but I was and civil society associations while Arab against the American secret prisons in Eu- stunned by what I saw and heard in the prisons are full with strivers for freedom rope and against the closed prisons in testimonies of Niaza, Zeinab and Ahmed. and unionists and journalists and hun- Turkey and Arab countries and First, because of the extent of brutality in dreds of those involuntarily disappeared Afghanistan and Spain. And let the final isolation and torture, second, because of and whose fate is still unknown in Syrian, day of the conference be the day of de- the international silence concerning the Saudi and Arab prisons. All the prisons claring the fast of death in solidarity with cause of Turkish prisoners. are alike had they been Israeli or Arab or those fasting in the Turkish prisons and I left Istanbul thinking of the fast of death, American or Turkish or European. And other prisons of isolation, in front of one of those who defy death by fasting against the world has never witnessed this of the human associations in Paris. The it. It is not actually a fast of death; it is a amount of violations against human cruelty of torture and isolation and humil- passion for freedom and life. The seven- rights, as it is today due to the American iating human dignity, declaring wars and teenth of December has become an inter- imperialistic terrorism and the dictatorial violating the human international law national day for the freedom of Turkish regimes that made it. compels us to develop our campaign and

15 I S O L A T I O N our annual conference in order to break study or better to learn. 139 children and Cihan KESKEK, member of the international silence concerning juveniles wait for their trials. 157 chil- “Grup Yorum”, who went to Iraq everything that is happening in Israeli, dren and juveniles have already been as a human shield Arab, Turkish, and European and Ameri- sentenced to prison. Around 47 % are in can prisons. the age of 16-17, under age. 94 % of In February 2003, before the beginning of In Lebanon, with the collaboration of oth- those have already suffered from attacks the US-attack against Iraq, there has been er human organisations we launched an or ill treatment of Israeli personnel in organised an European wide mobilisation: initiative for defending the detainees in the prisons. At this moment there are Together with the project called “human Israeli, Arab and American prisons. about 400 females in Israeli prisons. 4 of shields”, we went to Iraq within a group Today, I suggest, as a member of this con- those are in solitary confinement, 5 of from Turkey. ference that we start working for founding them are under age. 22 of these women We remained in Iraq for about 2 months. the International Organisation against iso- are married. 2 children were born in jail. We witnessed the attack, the massacres, lation and detention. And let the annual 62 of these females have been convict- bombings and how human beings were conference be for putting the general plan ed. 46 are still in custody, 7 in adminis- killed by the USA. We witnessed how the and evaluating the steps we made during trative detention. According to our people suffered from hunger, poverty and the year. I also call to prepare for an inter- Palestinian Ministry for Prisoners and misery. We witnessed, how people were national and popular trial for those who Convicts, around 167 Palestinian pris- abandoned to misery in the hospitals, and commit isolation and torture in all the oners have lost their lives as a result of how they died because of lack of water prisons of isolation in the world. And I mistreatment or because they didn’t re- and medicine. urge all our friends who worked for or- ceive medical treatment. I’m talking We stayed in Bagdad from April 9th, the ganising this conference to hold the next short about the demands of the prison- date of occupation, until April 14th and conference in Beirut and found a prepara- ers. Actually they demand an end to at- then returned to Turkey. tory committee that prepares all the stud- tacks and beatings, an end to raids and I don’t want to say too much about the ies and documents needed in the next con- provocations in the prison cells, an end things we experienced in Iraq. Our ference. to destruction and confiscation of the friends, who spoke in the previous ses- I salute you, and freedom for all the vic- personal properties of the prisoners, the sion, have already given very nice exam- tims of isolation, detention and torture in permission to be visited by their fami- ples regarding the resistance and its legit- the world. I salute those fasting the fast of lies, because this is still happening quite imacy. death for a new life. rarely, the removal of the glass separa- Finally we went there, although of course tion walls during visits, improve of we knew very well, that we couldn’t stop medical treatment, such as improve of the war. We were there in order to share Dr. Shadi Abu DAHER, quality and quantity of food. Further- the pain of the Iraqi people. vice-president of the Austrian more the prisoners demand clothes and We were with the people in order to make Palestinian Community possibility to make phone calls, which is their voices heard. And we also wanted to recently not permitted. They want to call show them, that we were joining their I’m going to speak about Palestinian and stay in connection with their fami- struggle and that there were also revolu- prisoners. Israel is the only country in lies. They demand introduction of group tionaries from Turkey, who supported the world, which for political reasons cells, the receive of detergents, as for their struggle. has legalized torture during the interro- example soap, the possibility to receive Today, the resistance in Iraq continues. gation of prisoners. Between 1967 and books and to use the sport facilities, The struggle against USA goes on. The 1988 the number of Palestinian prison- such as regular breaks and possibility to US-occupation still continues. No matter ers in Israeli jails was 2-4 thousand a go for a blow. how much the governments talk about year. Between 1988 and 1989, during Finally I talk about the torture in prisons. democracy or freedom, the pain that the the first Intifada the number of prisoners They put plastic bags over the head and US-occupation causes to the people is a was approximately 15 thousand. Since throat, the prisoner has to stand for some reality. the second Intifada the number of the time on a small chair of approximately It is as much reality as the struggle of the Palestinian prisoners has reached 20 25-30 cm height, while his or her hands Iraqi resisters and the Iraqi people. thousand and more. From 1967 until to- are bound at the back. Another kind of Actually it is a legitimate right of defense. day Israel has arrested exactly 650 thou- torture is deprivation of sleep, the play- In fact, we can experience different exam- sand Palestinians, that makes approxi- back of very loud music over several days ples in Iraq. For instance the actions of the mately 20% of the Palestinian popula- combined with very strong light influ- resisters in Iraq or there are also the sacri- tion in this area. At this moment there ence. Prisoners are put in very small ficial actions in Palestine and Iraq, in are around 8.600 prisoners in Israeli rooms, where they can neither sit nor Turkey or elsewhere. There’s a compre- prisons. 3.500 of these are children, 288 stand upright. Beatings and electro- hension, a tradition of sacrificial actions of them are still in prison. Israel doesn’t shocks are also common methods. Some as form of struggle against imperialism. recognize any international treatments prisoners have already died while being When somebody sacrifices him-/herself, and laws. For many governments in the tortured by shaking the whole body. I this means that all opportunities of struggle world prisons are the final solution, for tried to be as short as possible. were taken away. It means that there hasn’t Israel they are the first solution. These In the end we hope for the Palestinian been left any condition. Actually we see, children in prison do not have any fu- people and the Palestinian prisoners for how the own body is turned into a weapon ture, because they aren’t allowed to your solidarity and support. Thanks. against the enemy, as a last way out.

16 I S O L A T I O N

The present situation of the Iraqi resisters experiences. I'd like to speak to you about is like that. There’s an occupation, an at- the experience of France. France is a rep- ISOLATION tack, a massacre. In the near past we’ve resentative country in the world in terms OF PRISONERS seen the example of Falludja. We saw, how of spectacular restrictions on liberty. With they try to wipe out a city before the eyes exceptional laws, emergency laws. And of the whole world, how they use chemical for example there was the war in Algeria. Gerhard TUSCHLA, weapons, even if there doesn’t remain any We are in a country where many people Austrian journalist plant. are treated like fundamentalists and ter- The struggle of the resisters in Iraq is de- rorists. There is a record of not respecting Dear Audience, comrades and visitors. In- fense of motherland. It’s a very natural International Law. stead of my person Haj Ali Abbas, the war, a people’s war against the despot. For example the situation in the Middle man with the hood from Abu Ghraib Therefore it is wrong in my opinion, to East. France has a reputation for having prison in Iraq should have been standing make discussions on whether the Iraqi re- positions on Iraq but for example France here to tell you about his torture. sistance is legitimate or not. Instead of actively has supported Israeli policy. Haj Ali Abbas was not granted a visa of that it is necessary to exposure the attacks France is the first country in Europe that the EU to tell his story. The big and and the slaughtering of the USA. The peo- greets the criminal Ariel Sharon from Is- mighty USA are afraid of a simple man ple of Iraq risk their lives in the struggle rael. And French companies have con- they tortured 6 months and finally re- against the US. structed the tramway in Israel, which is leased with the words: ‘Sorry, you were It is not our right to criticize the struggle also a racist colonial. This tramway is ex- the wrong one’. of these people. We can say the following: clusively reserved for the Jewish popula- The self-called defender for freedom and There are different forms of acting. These tion and is forbidden to be used by Pales- democracy USA is afraid of a simple man forms change as to different structures. tinians. France denies that this is a prob- to speak up. USA are afraid about the There are different points of view. Of lem of International Justice. France is a truth of torture they have done to Haj Ali. course, actions, in which innocent people country that regularly collects money for USA intervened in Austria and Italy to or civilians are harmed can’t be accepted. the Israeli Armed Forces. All their body- stop him coming to speak up. I went to We don’t agree with them. But finally we guards and they even have concerts for Amman, where he is living recently, to in- can see that there aren’t so many opportu- the Israelis, organise them. The Interior terview him. nities in the hands of these people. They Minister Sarkozy has invited two Israeli The film has been shown in Austria and are in desperation. The US is killing all police chairs officials. And we do know on Swiss TV. German TV, which was first relatives, people living on this soil. It is well how Israeli police treats Palestinians. interested, cancelled the order. It is my killing children, raping wives and daugh- And how many Palestinians have met duty and right as a journalist to bring his ters. If there isn’t any resistance against it, death out of the hands of such police. story to as many as possible. No govern- there’s something wrong anyway. At this If you criticise Israeli policy you have to ment can stop me to tell his story. So I am point the worldwide struggle against im- be an anti-semite. This becomes a terrible here today to show you the film. It is the perialism and its collaborators, in Iraq, thing. One is constantly accused of anti- story of a man who came into the system Turkey, Palestine and elsewhere, is a semitism. The French state has played a of torture and captivity of the so-called common and legitimate struggle. criminal role against jews during the II. “War against Terror”. The USA are used There can be only aspects we criticize. World War. Many French Jews were de- to silence anyone who is not on their And that is, when innocent people are ported or extinguished in camps. France track. I will do my work as a TV-journal- harmed. But the first thing is, that the has the 3rd largest Jewish Community in ist further, to show the world more about USA presents itself as the only power in the world. victims who cannot speak up by them- the world and feels itself free to attack I would like to tell you about what I'm ex- selves as Haj Ali. and kill, and that it brings poverty, hunger tremely worried about. I haven't come and misery to the people in the name of here to tell you about the situation of the ‘freedom’. That’s the first aspect to see. Palestinian people, because others can do Ahmet KULAKSIZ, TAYAD This should be the prior thing that we that. should prevent, against which we should But I like to tell you that in countries like On behalf of TAYAD we salute all of you organise ourselves. France the Israeli-American opinion is who have come here from different coun- Therefore I want to point out again, the constantly publicized. In countries like tries. As all of you may know, the world is struggle of the Palestinian and Iraqi peo- France International Law is considered as currently going through an important pe- ple, should be a common struggle with something old-fashioned. There's talk of riod. Starvation, war, unemployment are the anti-imperialist struggle of the entire clash of civilizations. You either have to problems all of us live with. As all coun- people. The first aim must be imperial- be with Israel or the United States or you tries have general problems, they also ism, US-imperialism. must be a terrorist. I want to talk a little have problems peculiar to themselves. about the actions we've carried out, like With the general problems, my country pickets and so. Boycott campaign, pick- also has a struggle against isolation and Olivia ZEMOR, Europalestine ing up posters, concerts mobilizing solitary confinement and the F-Type pris- against Israeli army shoes and other kind ons, and we pay quite a heavy price in this I think you understand well the subject of of things in solidarity with Palestinian. I struggle. Europe is the place where the F- the conference. It is a very important sub- hope we can exchange experiences and Type prisons originated, and it was not ject. It is a good opportunity to exchange coordinate. very long that we first encountered the

17 I S O L A T I O N idea. The authorities, who want to put this was so broken, I was so proud of being Mary Rubinchik, All-Union model into practice wanted to make pris- the father of these two heroic girls. As Movement for Defence of oners surrender. Obviously by doing this long as I live I will carry on being proud Political Prisoners in Russia they wanted to isolate all the prisoners and carry on feeling in my heart what they from their relatives and their comrades, have done. With CANAN and ZEHRA, By its official propaganda the state power and eventually from all the people. Isola- 120 people have been martyred in this on the territory of the former CIS-states tion and solitary confinement would great resistance. Today the authorities (Commonwealth of Independent States) make it easy to achieve their surrender but have started lynching attempts against wants to proof, that democracy and mar- the people’s struggle does not always go TAYAD. The state and in many cities fas- ket have been built there. But in reality in the way that the ruling class expects. cist groups are attacking our people in an there does only exist the "wild market" What the authorities did not expect was attempt to intimidate them. They do not that is tied with mafia and criminality. that organisedforces of the people cannot do this because of our weight in numbers. True democracy has still a very long way. be made to surrender. It was well under- They do this because they are scared of By its extended means of communication, stood that there would be a price to pay TAYADs’ resistance and culture of soli- especially with electronically data means, for it, and in our country we have plenty darity. They want to destroy this culture. the highest state power fakes electoral re- of people who are ready to pay such a The entire world needs to know who cre- sults, and creates invincibly hindrances price. The ruling class who sought to ated this culture and we did it with our for the opposition in its influence to inter- make prisoners surrender, found that lives and our blood, and we are never go- national affairs. rather than bring about their surrender, ing to give up this tradition. We are deter- By this means the gap between the very they faced prisoners who were ready to mined to keep the promises we have made rich (oligarchy) and the very poor (pen- die rather than surrender. In this period to our children. Our struggle, carrying on sioners and unemployed) is growing. The against isolation and solitary confine- into its 6th year with 120 martyrs, needs social state will crash in the West and par- ment, after all methods had been tried, the to be understood as part of the joint resist- ticularly in the East. Social protests are Death Fast was started. I would like to violently oppressed by the state power. emphasise that this was begun after vari- Our "Political Prisoner's Defence Founda- ous other methods of struggle had been tion" is doing efforts in supporting prison- tried. ers of conscience in different republics of Dear Friends: TAYAD has been strug- the SSSR, but our home is the whole So- gling in our country for 20 years. In this viet Union. period, many people cannot even compre- An exemplary of tracing political ideas is hend TAYAD’s importance. When the pe- the long-term imprisonment of the 73- riod is difficult as it has been here, the year old professor and doctor in philoso- price that will be paid is also going to be phy, M. Burokjawschus, in the prison of a difficult one. In the beginning when the Lithuania. Despite of the just demands of struggle had started in the prisons, public the European Court for human rights, opinion had thought that this Death Fast, concerning his release, the state power which is now in its 6th year, would only doesn't set him free. While in Lithuania take place in these prisons. But TAYAD former Nazis from the SS march through and the TAYAD families understood the the streets, the well-known communist reality of isolation differently from other and secretary of the Communist Party re- people. They believed this resistance ance of the entire world. If you want to mains in prison, because of his loyalty to needed to be supported. To put a stop to win a victory against isolation and soli- his political views. their isolation, they screamed out to the tary confinement, you should not see iso- In Ukraine, despite of the "orange revolu- entire world what these problems are. If lation as consisting only the F-Type pris- tion", and in Russia, even the youth, the Death Fast has continued it is because ons. More important the struggle against which marches with symbolic flags, are TAYAD and its outcry has played an im- solitary confinement should be carried faced with long-term prison penalties. portant part in it. TAYAD became a shout out on all platforms and be made accept- The list of prisoners of conscience in dif- on behalf of the prisoners, it became their ed in that way. We as TAYAD are trying ferent republics of the SSSR is too long. heart, but more importantly it became the to carry out our responsibilities through Recently 39 youngsters are at court in centre of the resistance outside the pris- the strength we get from our martyrs. And Moscow, because of a contemporary oc- ons. Eventually it started the first Death we know that our children who are still cupation of the waiting hall of the Min- Fast in the world as free people, that is, carrying on the Death Fast need more sol- istry of Social Affairs, the planting of a not inside prison. Not only did they start idarity. AS TAYAD, our suggestion or red flag at the roof of the building and it but they also became martyrs in the re- recommendation is that we have to carry their official statement, that they'll no sistance. on this struggle in the European Social longer accept the worse pension and too There were two sisters, two hearts, two Forum in the coming period. expensive medicine, who lets old ill peo- lives - ZEHRA and CANAN. Their heart Finally: I greet you, the platform partici- ple die under bad conditions. was full of love and they became heroines pants from my heart, along with our hero- Our fund is lacking of financial and inter- of this magnificent resistance. They kept ic Death Fast martyrs, our friends and national support. Information is now their promise to the people even at the comrades, and my daughters CANAN showing many facts of isolation of politi- cost of their lives. Even though my heart and ZEHRA . cal prisoners. But, as long as the youth is

18 I S O L A T I O N loosing its perspective for a normal life Guiseppe May and Giuseppe Czeppel are this end that we have seen ex-comrades and future, the protest will grow and our two prisoners in France. French authori- sitting in Stormont and agreeing to ad- activity will be necessary. ties arrested them, although they do not minister British rule in our country. They have any evidence. The allegation against had it in their power to strike a better deal them was to support terrorist activities or to establish National Sovereignty. Sadly ASP (Association for Solidarity being involved in terrorism. But they did- they did not. They've become British with the Proletariat), Italy n't have any evidence for this. Ministers in a so-called Northern Ireland This clearly indicates us, they want to cre- state, this is nothing new to Irish republi- The countries that had gathered together ate a country without any thoughts. All cans - in Irish history there has always in the name of war against terrorism are our rights are taken away piece by piece. been the native traitor. restricting all democratic rights. This is a The revolutionary organisations, their de- Clearly they agreed to collaborate with good example how the European coun- mands are in that conference. Britain, they agreed to do what Britain tries work together. By creating new leg- With this declaration we would like to had failed to do and criminalise the Irish islation and new laws our rights are re- carry on this struggle, especially to get re- republican struggle. They agreed to end stricted by them. These rights we have leased these two peoples arrested in political status that ten men - ten Irish re- won them by long terms struggles. But France. publican prisoner of war had died for and they are now trying to take all these rights that hundreds of men and women had en- back. Social organisations allegedly are dured years of prisoner protest for. We becoming presently criminal organisa- Martin Mulholland, IRPWA should go further to state very clearly that tion. Imperialist countries have power this (Irish Republican Prisoners Wel- the only peace strategy that will resolve moment. There are hundreds of prisoners fare Association) the cause of conflict in Ireland is the strat- in different prisons. They want to keep egy that challenges Britain's illegal claim them for a long time. In the name of war Today in Ireland there are over 80 repub- in Ireland. Again the numerous failed against terrorism. We can say that it is lican prisoners of war - captured combat- strategies over the decades are testament done to destroy revolutionary move- ants. You may wonder why I use the to this fact. ments, unions and organizations. They try phrase captured combatants, this has to It feels poignant at this point to reflect on to destroy all. And day by day they in- been seen within the context of Irelands the words of caution by Pádraig Pearse crease it. This is always a result of eco- struggle to remove an occupying force “You cannot conquer Ireland. You cannot nomical crisis. There is resistance against from its national territory. extinguish the Irish passion for freedom. all these and we want to be a part of this Irelands history appears to be seen as one If our deed has not been sufficient to win resistance. of eternal conflict with Britain, due to in- freedom, then our children will win it by We are against torture; we're against the vasion, starvation, draconian legislation a better deed”. illegally arrest of peoples. We are against and colonialism. There have been at- We in the IRPWA are fully aware of the isolation. The reason we are here. We tempts to introduce legislation from West- ultimate sacrifices that these brave volun- would like to be in solidarity with you. minster (Britain’s parliament) to suppos- teers made during the struggle for politi- We would like to be in this resistance, in edly end the war in Ireland. In the past cal status, and what their families endured this struggle. One of our friends came certain people have failed to hold their to have the recognition that their sons, from Turkey. He talked about the same position on National Sovereignty and daughters, aunts, uncles, brothers, fathers subject. Also we are trying to point them what this means. All of Britain’s attempts or mothers were not criminals but were out as well. They have to be united. We to bring an end to Irelands conflict have political prisoners. They were political know that it's important to be here and failed. They have failed due to an inherent prisoners due to the extraordinary politi- also to find a way to working jointly. Po- inability to acknowledge Irelands interna- cal situation concerning the six north east- litical prisoners showing us good exam- tional right to be free from foreign occu- ern counties of Ireland being under occu- ples of solidarity and imprisonment pying forces, and for Britain to recognise pation by an illegal foreign aggressor. showing us how imperialist system is and uphold their obligations under vari- That illegal occupation continues today, working. People get arrested and tor- ous international laws upon which they despite the politically sanitised news that tured, they can be killed, aren't allowed to are signatory to. At this point it feels right is allowed to be broadcast over the air- see their relatives, just because of their to recall the words of the Irish Revolu- ways or carried in the daily paper. This is beliefs. We have two suggestions. We tionary and Socialist, James Connolly: to produce an illusion that the war in Ire- would like to issue a declaration demand- “The British Government has no right in land is over and that there are no more ing the improvement of the political pris- Ireland, never had any right in Ireland, Irish republican POW’s. oners condition and another one to de- and never can have any right in Ireland”. We in the IRPWA are in existence because mand the recognition of the political pris- In 1996 following 30 years of a continu- of the fact that there are those in Ireland oners status. With this acceptance we can ous war between the Volunteers of who are not prepared to accept British oc- stop them to be called terrorist. The coun- Oglaigh na hEireann and the British occu- cupation and who have had the foresight try destroys its own democracy, because pation forces, Britain, fearing that their il- to read the British position and not to en- freedom of thought is taken away by it. legal occupation of Ireland was becoming gage in a process that was seeking to legit- And also the condition of prisoners or in exposed, engaged former revolutionary imise an illegal occupation. It is because prisons, their situation is supposed to be leaders in talks - and as history had shown of this vision that there are POW’s in Ire- better. We need to create another front to us these people failed to seek the re-estab- land and Britain. Bobby Sands had this struggle against these. lishment of Ireland's Sovereignty. It is to same vision when he wrote in 1980;

19 I S O L A T I O N

“We must see our present fight right combatants, they are subjected to discrim- tured the dream that all nations are free. through to the very end. Generations will inatory practices, isolation and many oth- However, rest assured the liberation we continue to meet the same fate unless the er things that infringe upon their human seek is not a Republic as in the United perennial oppressor -Britain- is removed, rights. States, where the power of the purse has for she will unashamedly and mercilessly The IRPWA are also supporting political established a new tyranny using only the continue to maintain her occupation and hostages in the occupied six counties, a language of freedom and little else. economic exploitation of Ireland to judg- case in point is that of John Brady from We should remember that there is nothing ment day, if she is not halted and ejected.” Strabane, who has been detained since more dangerous than an oppressed people In 2002 republican prisoners were being June 2004 with no charges pending who acquire the first weapons of educa- housed in jails where they were targeted against him other than on the orders of the tion and organisation. That position is daily by loyalists and where prison offi- (then) British secretary of state Paul Mur- firmly with us today. We are educating cers indulged in or turned a blind eye to phy. each other, we are organising a resistance beatings. As such the prisoners organised On Thursday 1st of September John was to imperialism and we refuse to be on our themselves through the support of the IR- taken from his prison cell in Maghaberry knees...... we are the risen people. PWA and informed the movement on the Goal to Antrim road RUC interrogation outside that they intended to demand seg- centre. He was later charged with the at- regation from non-political prisoners, and tempted murder of a Royal Irish Regi- POLITICAL ISOLATION that they were prepared to use every av- ment soldier in Sion Mills in 2002. IN THE USA enue of protest to achieve their objective. The only evidence against John is of a Within days the prisoners had organised a DNA nature and because of the length of strategy - this was to see republican pris- time and the fact that John had been ques- PAULETTE d'ARTEUIL (Jeri- oners undertake a no wash protest. tioned and released regarding this inci- cho Movement, Spokeswoman for The response from the prison authorities dent; his representatives are considering Leonard Peltier) reading the was to further facilitate an environment taking a case of "abuse of process." message of Leonard Peltier where republican prisoners were being beaten in Aho, My Relations, their cells and going to My name is Gwarth-ee-less or Leonard and from visits or simply Peltier, of the Anishnabe and Lakota Na- trying to go about daily tion on Turtle Island, known to others as prison life. the continent of North America. I bring In order to prevent or re- you greetings and respect as I start my duce these assaults the 30th year of illegal imprisonment, and I men had no other alterna- want to thank my sister in the Jericho tive but to undertake Movement for bringing my words to you smearing their faeces on today. the cell walls (as a 'dirty I thank you for including me among the protest'). many friends and comrades who would We are sure that you can speak to the conditions of isolation and appreciate the mind set of torture experienced by those of us who a republican prisoner in this situation. There have been a number of such cases have refused to bow our knee to the U.S. Their resolve has been recorded in histo- which have collapsed over the past num- government. This colonial government ry, the world knows of the revolutionary ber of years once placed under scrutiny has come onto our lands, committed Bobby Sands and his comrades, and their and all bare striking similarities to this genocide and continues to rob us of our desire to see their country free. one. It is clear to all those who know John history and culture, while giving away After a hard struggle the prisoners went that this is another attempt by the British our land. I say that, Isolation, is a cruel on to win segregation again. At present establishment to conduct a campaign of and unusual punishment, which affects they remain unbroken and unrepentant selective internment against anyone op- one emotionally, mentally and physically. despite a continued campaign by prison posed to the British inspired agreement From my perspective, I could cope with officers and the British administration to often referred to as the Good Friday isolation as a young man. In fact, I have break them. Agreement. endured years and years of isolation start- It is the words of James Connolly that the I hope that what I have presented you ing in the 1970’s at Marion Federal republican POW’s resolve can be found: with today has given you all insight into Prison, the only level 6 federal prison and "If you strike at, imprison, or kill us, out the current position in Ireland and why the first US control unit. I was there along of our prisons or graves, we will evoke a there are and will continue to be POW’s with Raphael Cáncel Miranda and other spirit that will thwart you, and perhaps, in Ireland and Britain. Until Ireland re-es- political prisoners. It was like being raise a force that will destroy you! We tablishes its National Sovereignty then buried alive-locked down 23 hours a day. defy you! Do your worst!" Ireland will remain at war, Ireland unfree I survived by drawing strength from the Britain continues to hold Irish people as will never be at peace, and as a conse- creator to endure whatever the Govern- political hostages in England too. Our in- quence of this war, Irish men and Women ment heaped upon me. tention to seek justice for them will not will go to their graves. However, it is While in isolation, one is deprived of vir- falter. Along with a number of captured from these graves that Ireland has nur- tually every basic need, since the Govern-

20 I S O L A T I O N ment’s intent in placing you in isolation is prison is inhumane as it is. The use of iso- War, and Exiles. I have been a revolution- to break your spirit physically and emo- lation and/or controlled units places us in ary and human rights defender for more tionally. Isolation is designed to make one positions that we may not be able to sur- than 45 years; first as a young Christian feel powerless and aimed at eroding the vive and, even if we do, it takes a tremen- missionary, then as a student organiser body and spirit. While in isolation, I could dous toll on us physically and mentally. with the Student Non-Violent Coordinat- not even get a book to read, my phone I want to let you know that my brothers ing Committee (SNCC) in the southern calls were limited to one a month, and I and I will remember in our prayers at the U.S. civil rights movement, later with could rarely write letters. I recall finding sweat lodge on the night of the 19th of Amnesty International (AI-USA) and the a small pencil stub and I was able to write December, the 28 warriors that lost their Malcolm X Grassroots Movement for brief short letters to my loved ones, lives at the hands of the Turkish state Self-Determination, and now as a practic- choosing my wording very carefully for through its reign of terror against those ing attorney. The Jericho Movement, fear that the limited pencil lead in the pen- that stand with dignity if the defense of founded in 1998, is the official national cil stub would not allow me to complete their people. political prisoner organised voice and rep- my letter. As I have grown older, isolation resentative of U.S. political prisoners, has become more and more arduous. A-Ho!!!! Mitake Oyasin prisoners of war, and exiles. For example, the six weeks I recently In the Spirit of Crazy Horse We thank the organisers of The Fourth In- spent in the hole at the Terre Haute feder- Leonard Peltier" ternational Symposium Against Isolation al prison really affected my health, espe- for their invitation and this opportunity to cially my legs. I was confined to a cell Before I finish, I want to read the message tell the world about the more than one that was 8’X 8’ which had a window that of another young man who is actually hundred political prisoners held in U.S. was covered from the outside with an about our age. His name is Veronza Bow- prisons since the 1970's. The United elaborate shield that allowed me to see 2- ers and Veronza has refused realease, States has held these prisoners longer than 3 inches of the sky out of the top and 2-3 even though he has completed his sen- the 27 years that apartheid South Africa inches of the ground. All prisoners are tence. And he called and I spoke with him held Nelson Mandela, for the very same supposed to get at least one hour of sun- a few nights before I came. And he asked reasons South Africa held Mandela. The light or outdoors. So I was taken from my me to please tell the Turkish people: U.S. government has held some of our po- cell to what was called a Recreation "My dear brother and I will fast from De- litical prisoners up to 35 and 40 years, Room (a Rec Cage). The only sunlight cember the 19th to December 22nd. We Marshall Eddie Conway, Mondo Langa, “filtered” from some windows high up in won't eat anything starting at midnight on Ed Poindexter and Ruchell Magee; two of this large Rec Cage with a few air holes in the 18th and ending at midnight on the the Angola 3, Albert Woodfox and Her- them. I was able to walk up and down the 22nd. We will drink only water and we man Wallace, are beginning their 34th Rec Cage for an hour, thus fulfilling the will have a special ceremony on Wednes- year of isolation. one hour of sunlight or outdoors or recre- day, December 21st. All during the four Most U.S. political prisoners, prisoners of ation time. I would return to my 8’x8’ cell days and nights we will remember the 28 war, and exiles are the survivors of the and continue my pacing for hours as a men who lost their lives on the 22nd of Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) way to continue exercising and also as a December and we welcome your sympo- unlawful counter-intelligence program way to try to maintain my sanity. Even sium". Thank you very much. (COINTELPRO); today's “war on terror- now, several months later, I limp severely ism,” excused and codified in the repres- as a result of that time in isolation. sive so-called “USA Patriot Act.” COIN- One time I was held in a one man cell. Efia NWANGAZA, TELPRO, like its predecessors, was de- However, three others were crammed into National Co-Chair of the Jericho signed to contain, control, criminalize and the cell with me. This made it so unbear- Movement crush activists in the U.S. civil and human ably hot that I truly thought I could not rights/liberation struggles of Africans possibly survive this torture. born in the United States (Blacks, African An even greater cruel and unusual punish- Americans), Latinos/Chicanos, Puerto Ri- ment is being held in a control unit which cans, anti-imperialists and Native Ameri- is really a long-term lock down. A con- cans. trolled unit takes a tremendous toll on a However, these stalwarts of the '60's and person’s physical and mental health. You '70's not only fought for freedom at home can see it in the eyes of those who have and provided support for the masses of been subjected to a controlled unit. The people; but in solidarity with the peoples void in their eyes reflects what they have of the world, they said “Hell No!” to the gone through. You do not see anyone and U.S. war on Vietnam … the Iraq, visits are behind glass. Many of my Afghanistan, Palestine, and Haiti wars friends have disappeared into control and occupations of their day. We bring units. Neither I nor others have seen them their greetings and the greetings of the since. My name is Efia Nwangaza, I, along with U.S. celebrants of the December 3rd , As you can see, whether it be isolation or Herman Ferguson, a former political pris- 2005 International Day of Solidarity with a controlled unit, the Government goal is oner and exile, chair the Jericho Amnesty Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War; to crush our spirit by treating us inhu- Movement for Recognition and Freedom called for by former Philippine political manely. But we aren’t animals. Life in of U.S. Political Prisoners, Prisoners of prisoner, Donato Continente, to promote a

21 I S O L A T I O N united worldwide amnesty approach. We of prisons in every state of the United support, the mentally ill, retarded, learn- hope a single world day of solidarity can States of America. ing disabled and illiterate who largely soon be broadly agreed upon and univer- In 1988, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons was populate U.S. prisons, and often put in sally celebrated. court ordered to remove Silvia Baraldini, isolation for punishment, have not fared In 2003, the American Friends Service Susan Rosenberg, and Alejandrina Torres so well. They succumb to complete men- Committee's Criminal Justice Programs' from a subterranean sensory deprivation tal and physical breakdowns. Prison Watch Project's briefing paper enti- isolation unit in the basement of the Lex- Others, also suffering from lack of ade- tled, “The Prison Inside the Prison: Con- ington (Kentucky) Federal Prison; see the quate community, educational or lawful trol Units, Supermax Prisons, and Devices documentary, “Through the Wire.” The employment opportunities, may be la- of Torture,” noted that the first U.S. uses court acknowledged that their internment beled a “gang” member, harassed on the of isolation and sensory deprivation were was political. Their case highlighted rou- streets and isolated in “security threat in the 1960s. It was a behavior modifica- tine sexual abuse and medical neglect in units” once incarcerated. While in isolation technique against prisoners involved U.S. prisons as well as the onset of isolation they are subject to humiliating body in the prisoner's rights movement, a tion and sensory deprivation on women. cavity searches by guards of the opposite byproduct of the 1960s U.S. civil and hu- According to Human Rights Watch, by sex, forced to wear demeaning garments, man rights movement. The prisoners were 2002 more than 20,000 prisoners, over 2% physically assaulted by guards with fire “Islamic militants, jailhouse lawyers, eth- of the United States' 2.2 million prison hoses, bound in restraint belts, chairs or nic ‘gangs,' and political activists.” population, are held in long term isolation; beds for long periods of time in painful In the 1970s the struggle for human rights political and non-political, adults and chil- positions, shocked with cattle prods now intensified, both on the streets and inside dren alike. Twenty-three hours a day, with called taser guns and stun belts of 50,000 the prisons. COINTELPRO, the FBI's un- one shower per week, they are held in electrical volts, sprayed in the face, eyes, lawful attack on U.S. civil/human rights soundproof or white-noise cells about the mouth with pepper spray or tear gas, and independence movements, sent Black size of a parking space for a car. With pri- smothered in urine soaked pillowcases on Panthers, Black Liberation Army, Ameri- vatization, for-profit-prisons, a person may their heads, forced baths causing 3rd de- can Indian Movement, Puerto Rican Inde- NEVER leave her/his cell; everything, in- gree burns over the body. People of color pendentistas, and North American anti- cluding delivery of meals, is controlled by are more likely to receive this kind of imperialist into open hostilities with the a single guard in a central booth flipping treatment than white prisoners. U.S. government and into the under- switches. The only human contact the in- Now, like the 1960's and '70s, George ground. The rise and arrest of Black Pan- ternee may have is removal or return to the Bush's Attorney General, Alberto Gonza- ther Party members and other such forma- cage if s/he fails to comply with orders. les, local and national law enforcement, tions increased the politicization and agi- and the Fraternal Order of Police have tation by prisoners. The brilliant and joined forces to set upon us and to hunt charismatic revolutionary prison educator down old soldiers missed in the earlier and organiser, George Jackson, was mur- battle; framing and sentencing to life dered in a California Control Unit (Ad- without possibility of parole Imam Jamil justment Center) following an unsuccess- Al-Amin (fka H. Rap Brown) and jailing ful heroic attempt to liberate him by his Kamau Sadiki, the grand jury witch hunts younger brother, Jonathan Jackson. Men and fishing expeditions that hounded Sis- of all races rebelled against inhumane ter Janet Cyril to her grave and recently treatment at New York's Attica State jailed former Black Panthers Harold Tay- Prison and were slaughtered with helicop- lor, Hank Jones, Richard Brown, John ter gunfire and swat teams. In 1978, U.S. Bowman and Ray Boudreaux. Others Ambassador to the United Nations, An- now in the system are shuttled to far-off drew Young, acknowledged the existence Today, despite the known psychological super max sensory deprivation prisons in of U.S. political prisoners at the UN. and physical destruction caused by ex- the middle of the night, Tom Manning and The United States is the world's first tended isolation and sensory deprivation, Oscar Lopez Rivera. Medical neglect is country to operate entire prisons on a per- political exile Assata Shakur's co-defen- used as a weapon; Russell Maroon Shoats manent isolation and lock down scheme. dant, Sundiata Acoli, a mathematician, prostate cancer tests, Robert Seth Hayes' It has been cited by the UN Human Rights painter, and former Black Panther, has diabetic black outs, Leonard Peltier. Commission for violations of the Con- been held by the State of New Jersey, and Mandatory parole is denied to exemplary vention Against Torture and the UN Stan- jailhouse lawyer and prisoner of con- prisoners, Veronza Bowers, Jr. Lawyers dard Minimums for the Treatment of Pris- science, Ruchell Magee, by the State of who serve the people are criminalized, oners; long before Abu Ghraib and Guan- California, in isolation and sensory depri- Lynne Stewart, Chokwe Lumumba. The tánamo. In 1972, at Marion (Illinois) Fed- vation for years. Former Black Panther U.S. government's $1 million bounty on eral Penitentiary, the U.S. government es- Russell Shoats, repeatedly denied proper the head of Assata Shakur (fka Joanne tablished one of its first control units. It and timely medical care, is 20 years in the Chesimard) is designed to reduce us all to was followed by others in the states of State of Pennsylvania 's supermax prison, snitches. Still others are being held on ex- New Jersey and Massachusetts. By 1985, along with famed journalist Mumia Abu- cessive sentences and parole denial: Jalil there were about six, forty-five in 1997, Jamal on its death row. Muntaqim, architect of the '98 march on and now there are 2 or more sensory dep- While these men have survived due to Washington, African AIDS Orphans rivation and isolation prisons or sections strong personal commitment and outside School Supply Project, and felony re-en-

22 I S O L A T I O N franchisement litigation. Dr. Mutulu Prof. ANGELA DAVIS prison on Monday night. And all of us Shakur, Black Liberation Army health- were hoping against hope that governor care activist pioneered the use of Good afternoon. First of all I want to Schwarzenegger would grant a reprieve, acupuncture in drug rehabilitation, envi- thank for having invited me into this sym- but of course he didn't. And I will tell you ronmentalists Debbie Sims Africa and posium against isolation. Focusing not that we were also moved to listen to the other MOVE members who survived only on political prisoners but on the ap- young people, the children who read the Philadelphia's relentless onslaughts and paratus of the prison. I should say that sit- words of Stanley Tuckey Williams from its 1985 neighborhood bombing mas- ting here listening to the presentations, the many books he has written for chil- sacre. Mathematician Sundiata Acoli, the very comprehensive presentations that dren, who read from his book as they women's rights activist Marilyn Buck. We Paulette and Efia have given, I was imag- were trying to inject the lithial chemicals mourn the martyred: Richard Williams, ining where I mights gree had not a mas- in tuckeys venes. And many of you know Filiberto Ojeda Rios, Albert "Nuh" Wash- sive global campaign for my freedom de- that it took a very long time. It was horri- ington, and Merle Austin Africa. We pine veloped in 1970 1971 1972, because ble. As if, all executions are horrible, but for the companionship of exiled Assata many of the people whose names were in- that was especially horrendous. But as it Shakur, Nehanda Abiodun and others. It voked, were my comrades during that pe- was happening, children of all ages, of all is our shame that we have people who in- riod. I was a political prisoner and I was racial backgrounds and ethnicities girls vested their youth, continued service to us one of the very fortunate ones to benefit and boys were reading short passages and are now growing old, dying in prison from the organisation of massive cam- from Tuckey's work, keeping his spirit and far away from friends and families. paigns all over the world. I was sitting alive as the State of California was killing The Jericho Movement demands the im- here, imagining what it might be like if a his body. And I mention Tuckey's case be- mediate recognition, amnesty, and release fear had read my name on that list of po- cause this was the largest mobilization of all political prisoners and prisoners of litical prisoners who are still behind walls around the case of a prisoner condemn to war locked up in or exiled from the Unit- after many decades in the US. I did wan- die and executed that we have had since ed States of America. It is committed to na say, that when I was in jail during the the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. gaining full political recognition, legal early 70's, I received messages from peo- And I say this because I want to mention amnesty and social freedom for political ple everywhere. But I want to mention the name of Mumia Abu-Jamal and how prisoners despite the United States gov- one message that was extremely moving. important it is that we continue to devel- ernment's continued denial of their exis- A message I'll never forget. It was a mes- op that campaign in order to free Mumia. tence and their proper status by criminal- sage written on toilet paper, very thin pa- And here in Europe I'm aware that the ization. Each political prisoner was incar- per by Turkish political prisoners, smug- campaignns in France, the campaigns in cerated because of his/her political beliefs gled out of the prison and smuggled in to Germany are much more visible and and work to eliminate indecent housing, the jail where I was at the time in Califor- much more powerful, and much more in- lack of adequate medical care and nutri- nia. And I guess since that period the idea fluential than the campaigns in the United tion, quality education, to stop police bru- that international solidarity is the only States. We're confinding the power of the tality and the murder of people organising way has remained with me. And so that state, we're confinding law enforcement for independence and liberation. Each is will be the thrust of my remarks this after- for ternal order of the police, but I want to entitled to our best possible efforts to de- noon. And I'm only going to speak for a make a commitment to you, that we will criminalize and rehumanize them in the short time, because I understand that I use the successes and the mobilization minds of the people and to build the also have to speak again later on this that did not manage to save the life of movement to protect and bring them evening. So I wanted to first of all talk Stanley Tuckey Williams to further build home now! about the importance of challenging the the campaign against the death penalty. We urge you to challenge all U.S. govern- F-Type prisons, following the leadership Making very clear the fact that the death ment officials, corporate representatives of women and men, who conducted a fast penalty is a weapon of political repression or residents to inform themselves and join to the death in Turkey in order to impose as well. I should let you know that Arnold the struggle for their immediate and un- the imposition of this apparatus of disci- Schwarzenegger in refusing to clemency conditional release. Veronza Bowers has pline and confinement on Turkish prison- to Stanley Tuckey Williams quoted from been refused release even though he's ers and political Turkey's political prison- the dedication that Tuckey wrote in his completed his sentence. And he called ers. As I was telling N. during the drive other biography to Nelson Mandela, to and I spoke with him a few nights before over, I think we in the US have a special George Jackson, to Assata Shakur, to I came and he asked me to please tell the responsibility to stand up against this Leonard Peltier and he mentioned my Turkish people: My dear brother and I prison model. Because it comes from the name as well. And Schwarzenegger indi- will fast from December the 19th to De- US. It was invented in the United States cated, that the fact that he had mentioned cember 22nd. We won't eat anything start- of America, and it's very much related to these individuals names and he associated ing at midnight on the 18th and ending at the story that Efia was telling about the themselves with these individuals was an midnight on the 22nd. We will drink only development of all the Control Unit, of indication that it could not possibly be re- water and we will have a special swet the Adjustment Center, the segregation deemed. The redemption he talked about large ceremony on December 21st. All cells, the Supermax... Now I also wanted was a fake. And he indicated that he was during the four days and nights we will to say a couple of words about the recent associating himself with individuals who remember the 28 men who lost their lives execution of Stanley Tuckey Williams. I had violent past lives. Nelson Mandela on the 22nd December. And we welcome participated in the vigile and protest that for example, George Jackson who was as- your symposium. Thank you very much. took place outside of Saint Quintain sassinated. Neslon Mandela who was a

23 I S O L A T I O N target of the Apartheid state, a target of This is the way we're going to end war. So, if I’m speaking today about my expe- state violence. And so Schwarzenegger And this is how we're going to begin to riences and observations at diverse trials revealed, I think perhaps unintentionally realize the visions that all of the political in Turkey, I want to ask you to take into the extend, to which he was politically prisoners have that we are talking about account that these things cannot happen motivated. In his decision to refuse to during this conference, for a world of only in Turkey, but at any time in other grant climinsy to Stanley Tuckey equality, justice and peace and hopefully countries as well. Some states even make Williams. We've heard the words of socialism. it easier themselves, some of them don’t Leonard Peltier. Hopefully we will hear behave so violently towards citizens, oth- from one of the lawyers for the Cuban 5 ers are more clever others in a less diplo- since Leonard Weinglass cannot be here. WHAT IS TO BE DONE matic way. And we've heard that there are scores over AGAINST ISOLATION Since 11th September 2001, the day, that a hundred political prisoners in the US. AND INTERNATIONAL- in my opinion marks the end of the new But of course there are political prisoners SCALE TORTURE era, human rights are in danger every- all over the world, and especially in where. That’s why we should be awake Turkey. And those of us who committed much more, and we should exchange to this fight to free political prisoners and Michaela Pfeiffer, assistant of common experiences in a stronger way. also impose the development of a massive Karin RESETARITS, Austrian The ominous fight against terrorism, first of global prison industrial complex, that is a member of the European Parlia- all fights our personal freedoms. The states kind of enormous political machine on its ment (she was reading the speech of this world have found a useful pretext, to own, wreaping profit for companies, for of Karin Resetarits) go against everything that doesn’t fit to the transnational corporations invading the system and weakens their power. For some spaces of the countries of the sudden re- Dear friends, of the power protectors even the opposi- gion, privatizing prisons and places like I worked as a journalist for many years. tion is suspicious of terror, others target South Africa, marketing the idea that in- That’s why I know: It is necessary to cre- left civil movements. And even more dan- carceration is the most effective solution ate concern, in order to get attention by gerous: In the heads of many citizens, in to political social problems that are pro- bigger masses on a special theme. Above, generally all people who look as if they duced by global capitalism. And I'll prob- not only in my homeland Austria, it is said came from the Moslem culture, are terror- ably talk about this more this evening, but very often and easily: That interests me as ists. let me say that it is important for us to rec- much as if a bike would crash in Peking. We live in a terrible world. In my memo- ognize that as the impact of global capital Yes, this bike will become only an inter- ry, there had been never a time that was so is felt in places in Africa, in Latinamerica, esting medial subject, if it hits a dog, and reckless and inhumane. I went two times in Europe, in Asia, increasingly there are if that dog has even a famous owner. For this year to observe trials in Turkey. The populations defined as dispensible, as un- example David Beckham or Britney first time I went for the trial against San- necessary. As those who do not fit into the Spears; that’s how journalism is working. dra Bakutz. The Austrian citizen was ac- new cash economies in the countries of When the Austrian Sandra Bakutz was to- cused to have participated in a manifesta- the sudden region for example. As those tally surprisingly arrested at the airport of tion in Brussels, which was directed who are not incorporated in European so- Istanbul in February this year, almost no cieties and we're holding this meeting in media took notice of it. If yet, with the France and we witness the outcry of (Unterton) that she was a left activist. The young people who are asking where their case of Bakutz only became interesting in future is in this country. Why do they con- my country, when boulevard papers dis- tinue to be excluded, excluded from jobs, covered the fact, that with the arrest of from the educational system, from health this young woman, who was suddenly care. This is a sign of what is to come. celebrated as an engaged human rights ac- And if we think about the prison industri- tivist, a new campaign could be raised al complex as creating not only the ideo- against the accession of Turkey to the EU, logical argument for identify these indi- and to create further Anti-Turkey feelings. viduals as individuals who belong behind The critics was less directed against the bars. If they're going to disrupt the socie- government than against the country and ty, then lock them up forever. And there- its citizens in generally. I want to stress against the recent Turkish Minister for fore the architectural firms benefit, all of this so clearly before this forum, because Foreign Affairs. The prosecutor accused the companies that provide all of the there’s always the possibility to be instru- Sandra, being a member of a banned ter- goods and services for the increasing mentalized by the enemy in our engage- ror organisation. Of course, there had numbers of people who are placed behind ment. If you’re in opposition to the ruling been no proves for that. The accusation bars, profit while it goes on and on. in your country, if you stand heartfelt was based on a press report of a Turkish But I'll finally say, as I said in the begin- against oppression, exploitation and other mass news paper. In this report there had ning of my remarks that we need to pro- human pains, it can and will always hap- been a photo of a woman, who was only duce powerful examples of global solidar- pen again, that your arguments are dis- visible from the back. It’s a matter of fact, ity. This is the way we're going to free po- used so bad, that not only the ruling in that this was not Sandra Bakutz. But the litical prisoners. This is the way we're go- your country are accused but all people in prosecutor preferred to belief the interpre- ing to challenge racism and xenophobia. your country. tation that was written below the picture,

24 I S O L A T I O N than having a closer look at the picture. They don’t want them to dream. And oped our organisation in order to resist Following the motto: What’s written in there’s nothing that can make a person and to go out of this situation. This situa- the newspaper must be true. This unpro- more obedient, than taking his or her free- tion is often new for us. All the special of fessional behaviour of the state against dom, which is very often combined with those so-called democratic states use re- citizens, in this case even against a for- torture, psychological and physical mis- pression method against revolutionaries, eign citizen, is frightening. The freedom treatment. And also on this area, every against communists and also against so- of the citizens doesn’t count very much taboo seems to have fallen. States are not cial movements. So I will just speak about for this state. Personal freedom is as anymore afraid of telling lies. Torture is the high school movement here in France unimportant as freedom of opinion or just en vogue, especially, when talking some weeks ago. And also the press. about suspect terrorists. struggle of the suburbian youth. And we I want focus your attention on two very This week a new law has been approved saw how hard the repression of the bour- discussed paragraphs of the Turkish penal in the European Parliament. This law geois state was and the government an- law: Article 301 “degradation of the Turk- makes life easier for states, governments, swer without caring about facts. Like it ish nationality” and article 305 “Acting police officers and secret agents. did with the high school movement. We against national interest”. In both cases the From now on, personal data of every citi- have 3.000 young people that have been state limits and controls the freedom of zen are saved in databases and can be harassed during this period of urban guer- thoughts. But again, this does not only con- used in case of „emergency“. Big Brother rilla. And this kind of manners does not cern the Turkish people; there are certainly knows now, who calls who on the phone, only target social movements but also civ- similar paragraphs in the “Home Protec- who text messages with who, and who is il affairs, like the Utrot trial. Utrot is a city tion Program” of the Superpower USA. on whose e-mail address list. You don’t in the North of France. So many innocent So, the case of the German citizen Khaled- have to be a prophet to understand that families got a court case against them, ac- el-Masri is very similar to the case of San- this law is not going to stop any terrorist cused for nothing and the government had dra Bakutz, except one difference: In his attack, but will allow arresting a lot of in the end to apologize for it. Not the ac- case the level of brutality was much high- people. tivities but even thoughts, if they are not er. This man was arrested at the Serbian- In the case of Sandra Bakutz the Turkey acceptable for them, then you shouldn't Macedonian border and kept in prison for authorities will not have to work with have them. months, without any trial or proof. photographical evidence. In the case of The reason: He was suspected to be a ter- the 1st April arrests any disk must be fal- rorist. It’s very likely that the USA is in- sified anymore. Paplomatas KONSTANTINOS, volved in this case, but even that’s not for In future, it will be enough to show that a representative of the Greek Prima- sure. person has phoned on this or that day with ry Teachers’ Federation (DOE) As you can see, the « war against terror” suspects in the surrounding of al-Quaida is becoming more and more Kafkaesque. or that they are on an email list to arrest Torture - Issolation And there’s another story about this war them. Tortures in the spotlight once again with unfair means. I witnessed also the Is this possible? Yes it is. Every Hacker We witness, once again, the invasion of so-called 1st of April trial in Turkey. On can show you how. It would be desperate, the medieval era of tortures, this time in 1st of April 2004, numerous young people if the situation was not that serious. the name of terrorism…. were arrested in Turkey, Italy and Bel- Black clouds are gathering, lately, above gium. They were suspected to have con- the democratic rights and freedom. The nections to a terrorist organisation. Be- Association pour le Defense du political life of our country and of other cause of missing proofs, the Turkish au- Espacé Europeen de Liberté - countries is witnessing the introduction of thorities played a very undiplomatic trick. ADEEL (Association for Protec- multiple anti-terrorism laws and meas- The police forces had confiscated com- tion of Fundamental ures. puter disks in the bureaus of the suspects. Rights in Europe). Within this framework and while the vio- They didn’t seal the disks. On these disks lence of official and unofficial wars is there were written the names of the arrest- I will summon and speak in the name of projected on our screens, it is imperative, ed persons and beneath the names of ter- ADEEL, Freedom Association for the De- regardless of our political beliefs, to be ror organisations, in which they were sus- fense of a European Space. This moment deeply concerned and to signal the dan- pected to be in. is very important in order to denounce re- ger, addressing especially to younger The judges not refused these scandalous pression, to denounce violation of the ages, those young ages that did not expe- evidences as they were expected to do. In bourgeois governments, which call them- rience war, military courts, prison, exile, contrary, they still slow down the release selves democratic governments. This is absolute political regimes and tortures but of some of the arrested by all means. Why the moment of demonstrations and we see know them only through narrations (not that? Someone could think, that the state now how count to the highs of the bour- to mention that a large part of these young has no money to waste for trials and geois state and in which sector the bour- people ignores the actual facts). It is true prison. But in this case money is not the geois state make their money and this sec- that a large part of our youth learns about problem. It’s about education. How to tor is the sector of repression and vio- life through television, and by this proce- change the mind of people. Very often lence. So, this symposium is a very im- dure they form their preferences and their young people, students, who dare to portant moment, as Angela Davis said, life-style. dream of a better world, a different gov- because we can unite and we can ex- In this respect, I feel that there is a need to ernment, another state form, are arrested. change experience of struggles and devel- inform these young people of an appalling

25 I S O L A T I O N subject, connected to the wars and to fas- and triggered rumble, an international again being served in a different plate this cist behaviours that, in the past, made hu- outcry and front-page articles in most of time. man kind to be ashamed of its nature. It is the prestigious European newspapers. The role of psychiatry and the use of drugs the subject of Tortures. The French “ Le Monde” in an attempt to and hallucinating substances as a means of The world was shocked, when a few years describe the situation quoted: “Locked torture are not so broadly known. In fact ago, a journalist from an American news- into cages, kneeled among two rows of the Turkish “White cells” are an invention paper brought up the subject of tortures in thorny wire fences, chained, drugged, of an American psychiatrist. one of his articles. He proposed to legal- gagged, being in a condition called “the Who doesn’t remember the broadcast of ize tortures in the name of fighting terror- isolation of senses”, with tight eyes”. The the arrest of Öcalan from the secret serv- ism. But, since newspapers were not German “Süddeutsche Zeitung” quotes: ices? His desperate fierce look, and the enough because they do not reach a large “It is not enough for the US to mistreat numb will of a person that is under the in- audience, it was imperative to use a sim- their enemies like animals in cages, they fluence of substances? Many were written pler and “joyous” way to make the ideol- also exile them in a place were justice those days about the drugs and the meth- ogy of tortures acceptable to the Ameri- does not exist”. ods that were used. can - and not only - public opinion. So, We witness, once again, the invasion of But let us take a closer look at the method they called in the TV games. the medieval tortures in the name of ter- of “isolation of senses” and the way this is One of them that was aired by FOX TV rorism. But let us come back to the small described in a medical report, at the Park- network was called “The chamber” - ob- screen. The appearance of all these shows er Committee, in the 70’s. “The isolation viously coming from torture chamber. In and creepy images of the conditions of de- of senses is a method that aims to achieve this game the participants were tortured in tention of the prisoners is not a bolt form a state of technical psychosis or symp- reality. The tortures that were real were the blue. Although it may sound strange, toms of insanity. We know that people progressing as the show continued. While they were preparing the territory for a long who suffered cannot easily forget it and it the presented yelled “I want to see you time. For some years, TV viewers is possible to present, for months or even suffer”, or “tell me how much you are suf- throughout the world - including our own years, symptoms of mental instability. fering” etc. the participants were electro- country, Greece - were subjected to a sys- We know that some technically created cuted, were hanged above flames that tematic brainwash. Through horrific psychosis, such as those created by LSD were burning their feet, were going half American productions of violence they or mescaline, are proved to be permanent naked in a refrigerator. Another test in- were aiming at the corruption of their con- and there is no reason not to assume that cluded a room with 500 flies. The goal of science. The usual story of those produc- the same happens with the method of iso- the game was to torture the participant to tions is as follows: the “good” American lation of senses. Even if the psychotic the point that he could not take it no more authorities and bureaus chased the “bad” phenomena of delusions and hallucina- and he would quit. criminals or terrorists. Many movies of tions are not permanent, there is still a Another game, which was aired by ABC this kind were portraying “bad guys” that possibility a number of people who have network, was called “The Chair”. In this were subjected to various tortures. For ex- suffered isolation of their senses to con- game, the participants were strapped in a ample in one of them the audience wit- tinue to suffer from stress, insomnia and chair surrounded by crocodiles and had to nesses the slow and torturing cut of an ear nightmares, as well as other symptoms of answer questions. The host of the show of a person that was strapped in a chair. neurosis that are known to psychiatrists was an infamous tennis player and the This is the way the “good guys” legalize from war prisoners or people who have goal for the players was to keep a low their actions against those monsters, what- been captured and tortured and went un- heart rate despite the difficulties they ever mean of violence they use, even if der psychiatric therapy”. were facing. they have to kill, even if they disobey or- Judging from the ratings (12,4 million ders that come from their superiors. So, The legal perspective. viewers tuned into “The chair” and 9,8 we witness, for quite some time now, the Tortures according to the Geneva Interna- million to “The Chamber”), tortures appearance of dangerous, fascistic opin- tional Treaty (1949)and the International “sell”. ions of violence legalization, that have a agreement for individual and political But let us not consider that whatever is devastating effect both for the youth and rights (1966), are prohibited. In 1975, taking place in the US does not concern tired workers, that use these productions United Nations adopted the Declaration us as well. On the contrary. After all it is as a mean of entertainment. Without of the protection of humans against tor- know that the speculation of the dark and knowing it, these productions shape their tures or any other form of cruel, inhuman filthy human instincts is the same every- judgement, memory and opinion. or humiliating treatment or punishment. where and it mostly targets the younger International Amnesty stated in its 1984 This declaration places a great emphasis audience. report that the apologists of the tortures on the claim for universal enforcement of Is it by chance - or is it us that are suspi- use the classic argument of intention. By the banning of tortures. cious - that at the same period these this they mean that the authorities are As for other legal documents it is worth shows were aired, TV programs projected obliged to crash terrorists, whose actions mentioning the American Agreement of tragic images from the conditions of de- threatens human lives and put in jeopardy Human Rights (1969) that in its article tention of the Taliban soldiers that were both societies and states. We witness, 5(2) clearly states: “No one can be sub- held prisoners in the Guantanamo base in therefore, an attempt to justify those tor- jected to tortures, or to cruel, inhuman or Cuba? These were tragic images of peo- tures by claiming that their aim is to pro- humiliating punishment or treatment. All ple that were turned into vegetables. tect the most valuable asset for a large people who are deprived of their freedom These images circulated around the world number of people. An old recipe is once should be treated with respect as it is ap-

26 I S O L A T I O N propriate to the inborn human dignity”. a torturer was the following: “After the country, Greece, the intervention of the If tortures are a TV show for some coun- initial training, young soldiers from American imperialism. This update will tries, for Greece they are part of a painful known anticommunist families were se- constitute a serious form of defense to all historical memory, which is primarily lected for special training by the military TV games, productions or perversions connected to all forms of anticommu- police. After a thorough examination, “made in USA”. It will contribute to the nism, from the Metaxa dictatorship to the they were picking up those that were safeguard of democracy and the dignity of horrible tortures of the after civil war era meant to be trained to become torturers. our people. (exile purgatories of Makronisos and This distinction was accompanied by spe- Yiaros, tortures in Bouboulinas str., at the cial privileges, status, the use of automo- head office of the police, at the EAT-ESA, bile, the acquisition of the rank of officer, Mihri BELLI, one of the most at the military prisons of Bogati). extra salary and leaves, a place in the famous founders of the Commu- We remind to both young and older ages countries’ capital rather than the rural ar- nist Party in Turkey that in Greece patriot fighters were mas- eas of near the borders. Most of them sively and savagely tortured in Makro- came from the province or from workers’ This symposium is about isolation, isola- nisos. The prison of Yioura counted a to- family, so all these privileges as well as a tion against people, against prisoners and tal of 22.000 political prisoners from secure place in the public sector after the isolation against countries. And we have which most of them were crippled, others end of their service were a strong motive many examples. People in power know died and others went crazy. We have to in order to chose to join this special force. how to use this method of repression. As mention that these people were accused of In the begining they were not aware of you know, Communist Manifesto finished being common criminals or of commit- the duties that this position had. A large with this sentence: Workers of the world ting murders, according to the forensic part of their training was to beat or to be unite! And this isolation is against the laboratories of the time. Even during the beaten by their colleagues. Their trainers union of the progressive forces, the union dictatorship, horrific tortures were being were ordering them to eat the straps their of the political prisoners. bonnets, to kneel and pledge allegiance to Because they know that if there is a union portraits of officers, to perform humiliat- of progressive forces, they have no ing acts, to pretend that they make love to chance of success. a woman in front of their colleagues. Af- Imperialist forces attack, as we have wit- ter the ideological training and the psy- nessed in Iraq. Why they are doing that, chological preparation, they were initially because they want to become stronger. So ordered to guard prisoners, then to cap- they do everything in their power to un- ture suspects and finally to torture them. dermine our unity. And they want to con- If they hesitated to torture they were tinue their operation like that. In Turkey ridiculed, beaten and threatened that they for example, they organise in that way will be transferred, loose their privileges cells of isolation, the F-type prisons. In and that their families will suffer econom- whole Europe they built secret prisons un- ic consequences”. der CIA commandment. Some of those Closing my speech, I have to highlight prisons are the secret prisons of the Unit- held to the democrats who resisted. All that not only should we condemn and for- ed States of America. They are controlled these tortures were revealed during the bid tortures of any kind and for any rea- by their intelligence service, the CIA. trial of the abusers. From August 1975 son, but also to ban and vanish all ideolo- What we call liberal system is just the old until November 1976, six (6) trials were gies that disseminate or revamp tortures. imperialist system becoming harder. This being held for those tortures. The first and In particular, in Greece, we should take symposium makes me think of people the second was for the torturers of the de- constant actions that will preserve the his- from all countries, in order to create a bet- partment of EAT-ESA, the others were for toric memory of those tortures. ter world. And I'm very happy to speak in the torturers of ELLI, the torturers that Recently, Yiaros island, was proclaimed a this symposium and I thank the comrades belonged to the police force of Athens and national monument. But this is not who invited us. As Herold Pinter, which Xalkida, and the torturers of Boubolinas enough. The long history of the exile of received the noble price, recently said: str. The latter used even the roof of the Makronisos and Yiaros, and of the tor- "United States used to support dictator- building in order to commit their acts of tures should pass to the schoolbooks. ship, military systems like in Greece, in torture. Many were those who testified Schools should pay visits to the places Indonesia, in Uruqay, in Brazil, Haiti, about the tortures they suffered such as that the tortures were being held, and stu- Turkey, Philippines, Guatemala, Salvador beatings, phalanx, electroshock, isolation, dents should learn the history, the tortures and Chile. The war that the United States hallucinating substances. From those and the blood that was shed in order to es- put in Chile in 1973 can't be forgiven. court trials a great deal of information tablish the democracy in the country. Thousands of persons have died in these about the tortures and the training of the They should learn about Glastras’ fig and countries. Also in Indonesia it was some- torturers was gathered. the phalanx. To learn about the laws (375 thing like one million deaths. It's our It was revealed that many of the torturers and 509) that were used in order to drag to work to be aware of this method which is were trained in the United States while the military courts, to prison and to the used by the authority of states, and don't others from the military police, the infa- firing squad thousands of fighters. But forget that in this world, there is the famous ESA. According to the Internation- most of all young people should learn the mous cell in Bagdad, in which the US- al Amnesty report the process of creating results of the foreign intervention in our jail keeper tortures the prisoners, like in

27 I S O L A T I O N

Guantanamo and the secret jails. Let's ally so-called security forces carrying uni- speak about isolation against generations. BREACHES OF RIGHTS forms. As already said, there are many forms of TO RESISTANCE AND Also the wars and all the annihilation and isolation, against political prisoners, or- ORGANISATION genocide practises, in which the "ethical" ganisations, but also against generations. values of these wars were destroyed, have I'm speaking about horizontal division of always been carried out by official states. organisation, for example the organisa- IPAI declaration on ‘Black Lists’ If we draw attention to the term dungeon, tion of the 68 militants in France or in TO BAN THE RIGHT OF ASSOCIA- where people are put into jail and there other places, in Great Britain for example. TION MEANS TO BAN THOUGHTS lives are turned into torture, and to the ex- They are isolated, divided. But don't for- ecutions as a form of revenge, we see the get that the horizontal division leads to Nowadays it is attempted to destroy the same states as perpetrators. vertical division of the same generation. freedom of thoughts and organisation by Who are these states? If we think about For example Dev Genc in Turkey. In the banning organisation and the ideas that their common points, we find out, that we sixties, this militant organisation in its create this organisation. Essentially this are confronted with the guards of a sys- struggle against imperialism and fascism, means to destroy oppositional thoughts tem of exploitation and tyranny. in which the big majority of the democrat- and the progressive demands of the peo- That's why the ones who get the largest ic forces in turkey took part, became the ple. part of the exploitation are the ones who vanguard of the democratic forces by To do that, it is necessary to destroy the apply the strongest tyranny. Today we struggle. It was after the military coup in syndicate, professional, cultural and polit- have a political definition for it: Imperial- March 1971. After, right wing policy was ical organisation of the people and the ism... The imperialist states and the states, applied. Now it’s them who determine the workers. in which their collaborating fascist, reac- conditions of the class struggle. The 1980 This kind of prohibitions had been possi- tionary governments are in power... military coup which followed was much ble maybe during monarchies or dictator- Everybody from SPARTACUS, DON more easy for the military than the previ- ships in the past. But it is impossible QUIJOTE, THE RESISTERS OF THE ous coup. There was a song about the Oc- without using any demagogy to play the COMMUNES and BEDREDDIN to tober revolution. It said that the condi- game of democracy and at the same time MALCOLM X, CHE and MAHIR is an- tions for struggle do not fall from the sky. to prohibit the opposition. nounced robber or terrorist... They produced themselves for the follow- The demagogy is ready: Terrorism... ers of 1968 in Europe and in America. From history until today the ruling class- The authentic Communist Party of es have always used and distorted certain Turkey was involved. It distanced itself terms for their own interests. from the bureaucracy of the Soviet Com- The terrorism term has been the most fre- munist Party. There were the matters of quently demagogy since the last years. struggle for the liberation of Vietnam, and Meanwhile this term, which means to the struggle for the independence of Chi- frighten the people and to form it with this na and the Soviet Union. The weekly fear in order to intimidate and force it to magazine "Türk Solu" (Turkish Left) had capitulation, is used against any opposi- a picture of Angela Davis on its cover. It tional thought and against the right of or- was concerned to be the ideological jour- ganisation. nal of 'Revolutionary Youth' in Turkey. Its Looking to the real practication field and leaders were hanged or were killed in the practisers of this term, it is visible to 1968 in Turkey. The individual man is a see the imperialist and collaborating During history every force that stood social being and when one puts an end to states, that bring exploitation and oppres- against the system, that was disturbing the that by cutting his contact with other men, sion to the world. representatives of the system, was defined one does the wrestling that could be done The threats against legal rights, brought robber or terrorist. In that way the system to him. The authorities know very well, about by torture, repression and bans, tried to isolate the ones who opposed their that Öcalan does not defend separation ahead of wars and bombardments, the hegemony from the people and to destroy from Turkey, or no even he proposes a threats made by these practises in the case them. All these peoples’ leaders were federation. What he proposes is democra- of ignoring what is shown as the system, is fighting for freedom, justice and social- cy, equality and freedom. But for this rea- exactly what fits in the term of terrorism. ism. They organised the people, stood up son they call him a terrorist and isolate Let's have a look at the application fields: with them against the system. While the him. Another important subject for this Where is torture applied. The basic system attempted to destroy these move- international meeting against isolation is places, where programmed, organised and ments, it tried to destroy the thoughts of the hunger strike in the F-type prisons in systematic torture is practiced, are police their leaders and in order to hinder the re- Turkey. More than a hundred people have and military stations, and the official or bellions it made demagogic accusations died thus far and the hunger strike contin- unofficial institutions of these forces. against them. ues. I think that this symposium should Also the applicators are specially trained There's no difference today. Today as take a decision of solidarity with these for this and they are officials whose well, it is aimed to intimidate those who matters. I think that the symposium has wages are paid by the states. struggle for the rights and freedoms of the capacity to enlighten the path to a bet- Having a look at the applicators of the the entire people, the avantgarde fighters ter world. most of the massacres, they are in gener- of the independence and democracy

28 I S O L A T I O N struggle of the oppressed and exploited approved by juridical organs, there's no troubles that Iraqi people are subjected to, people, by demagogies of terrorism and such thing as a juridical decision. There- is the less harm than poverty, injustice, to isolate them. The international ban de- fore it is even impossible to make an ap- brutality and barbarie which caracterized cisions, that came to the agenda as so- peal against it. In other words, the black their fate from 1993 to 2003. This gave called 'black lists', aren't based on any le- lists are openly a form of extralegal exe- George Bush the permission to start the gitimate, legal decision. There are no uni- cution'. project of colonisation of Iraq. versal criteria like correct-wrong, legal- The crime announced longtime before crime, that can be given as source for the THIS IS UNLAWFULLNESS started to be executed. Hundreds of thou- black lists. This unlawfulness is today only directed sands of troups of the US agressors invad- against revolutionary organisations. But ed Iraq in company with their true British THE BLACK LISTS AREN'T CON- logically, because it is based on the de- ally. A unprecedented heavy airforce attac NECTED WITH ANY LAW struction of oppositional thoughts, it is bombarded Bagdad. Nevertheless, far The black list that was prepared by the against all circles of the people, who fight away from trembling by the “choc and USA, was completely prepared for politi- for rights and freedoms. In the future also awe” and the invincibility of the US im- cal reasons and includes organisations, the democratic forces of today will be vic- perialism the people all over the world ex- who are seriously in their claim for revo- tims of this practice. There should be tak- pressed their wrath about these crimes lution. The annihilation decisions of the en a lesson of it. Because parallel to the and launched into a ferocious and deter- USA towards these forces, who offer a black lists of the EU, all EU-countries are minated fight. revolutionary alternative in their coun- obliged to prepare their own national The agressors rushed into attacs, killed tries, aim at the same time, to isolate the Anti-Terror-Laws. Let's say this black list and mutilated; they are vicious ennemies. people who demand independence and is only directed against countries like But they can be vainquished because they democracy from their leaders and to pre- Turkey, Palestine, Colombia, Philippines, are creating even more powerful armies vent the danger of revolution. The EU as Nepal, Basque Country; why then is it of gravediggers, as they are doing right well took this decision under the same necessary to prepare a national Anti-Ter- now all around the world. In barging in a pretext, without investigating this deci- ror-Law? Who is the target of these laws? desesparate bet in Iraq despite their isola- sion taken by the gendarmerie of imperi- Are there revolutionary organisations in tion and their particuliarly weak position alism. the European countries, so that such laws George Bush and his reactionnary circle While EU took this decision, in many are found necessary? The aim is obvious- placed us in front of a big challenge. They EU-countries there neither existed any of- ly: These national laws will aim the hope that with a quick victory they could ficial definition of terrorism nor an Anti- movements for rights and freedoms in Eu- crush all the oppositions, bring back their Terror-Law. In order to overcome these rope. Without loosing time, the move- losses and restructurate the whole Middle bureaucratic obstacles, there was created ments for rights and freedoms of all cir- East in order to serve the US interests and a list of 'terror organisations' by a com- cles should unite without giving attention dominate the world. But if they do not mission linked with the EU, which hasn't to terror demagogies and should build a have an immediate gain of victory, their got any influence in legal proceedings. union against this anti-democratic poli- invasion and occupation will lead to a But ahead of this list, it has given all tics. long resistence. If their plans of a great member states the order, to create Anti- Never forget... One of the most important american Middle East are finally defeat- Terror-Laws. Appropriate to this order, proverbs telling about the Nazi period, ed, it would show a great victory for the and even without approval of the Euro- belongs to a liberal and is full of lessons:" people all over the world and it would pean Parliament, COREPER, which is a First they came and took the communists. make the world revolution progress. simple commission of technocrats, has I haven't been communist. Later they took Today in Iraq, the reality shows us the ex- taken this decision and pushed the mem- the Jews, but I wasn't Jewish. Later they istence of two important leanings in fight. ber countries into action. The black list of came to take the socialists, but I have nei- At one side, the Iraqi people resisting to the EU, that was long since applied al- ther been socialist. Then they were com- occupation of their country by various though there doesn't exist a juridical basis ing for me, but there was nobody left to and pluralist means. This resistence is in practice, is demonstrating itself, how defend me...". History shouldn't be re- multiform and caracterised by a large anti-democratic and unlawful it is. peated. And this is up to our struggle and spectrum of various political patriotic ten- The black lists are actually a stain in the our unity... dencies. At the other side, the US imperi- state tradition of the countries that created alism trying to governate the country with and implicated this law. If we only look at Iraq News Network, general the support of a government subjected to the way in which this decision was taken, director Dr. Abdullah Yousif the US and composed of iraqi collabora- it is visible, that it has been a dictate of the Aljubouri tionists reminding other collaborationists USA, which was announced by in history during the occupation of Hitler. COREPER in an unlawful way, and some Ladies and Gentlemen, The occupation of Iraq constitute an un- prosecutors and police forces have started We have the honor to participate here bearable violation of international law. to put this into practice, although neither with you opposed to imperialism and Bush and his consorts want to impose EP nor the national parliaments have ap- above all, against the policies attempting definitely the “right to interfere” and to proved it. And the most interesting thing to enclose people in cages without com- lead “preventive wars”: this means clear- is, that all legal ways against this prac- munication, deprivation of movement ly their liberty of interference and their tices are closed. For this decision didn't and with no basic rights of living. The right of bombarding and occupying the pass a legal procedure and it hasn't been weakened economy, carbombs and ethnic targeted nations to dominate and to elim-

29 I S O L A T I O N inate governments they do not like for ination. We thank you to support us and to taking a leading position in Europe. And some reasons. Acting in that way, the US express your solidarity for our country not only people who have participated in government contempt infamously the and our patriotic resistance we need more these activities, but also their families are world’s public opinion, inventing inexis- than before against the isolation in this affected. There are guesses that this num- tent dangers, as MDA (mass destruction very hard period. Thank you and long life ber can be increased to 1.000.000. These arms) and the imaginary network of ter- for Iraq and the Iraqi people. were just a few examples. This legislation rorists. against foreign people, the new immi- The reality is that Bush and consorts think grant law, doesn't give us anything, but that the moment is arrived for the realisa- Nurhan ERDEM, president of takes a lot from us. As an Anatolian or- tion of US domination over the world, the Anatolian Federation ganisation we carried out many activities without reaction of other nations and re- and campaigns in different platforms and action of the people of the world to this with different organisations. We had peti- enormous danger for humanity by these tions, organised social and cultural imperialist policies. Bush announced his events; we're taking efforts to let the peo- project of “the reorganisation of the Mid- ple know about the situation. dle East”. A Middle East beginning at the These restrictions as we said came with Atlantic until the borders of China under this agenda. Our rights have been restrict- control of the US, meanwhile the slaugh- ed and on one side the people get poor, on ter of the Palestinians keeps going and the the other side they take our rights away. construction of the apartheid wall of To do that, they increase their profits and Sharon constitute the worst of policies in try to finance the European Army. This Palestine. The tactical truces and with- shows us how the future of Europe is go- drawals decided by the restistence, like in ing to be. Demagogy of terror, by taking any other war against a stronger occupy- In the name of the Anatolian Federation I the people's rights and freedoms, they try ing force, can not be any longer used to want to bring our greetings to everybody. to be more racist and fascist. And if we hide the massif desire of the Iraqi people I would like to speak about the Agenda work together, we have the power to con- to fight by different efficient ways, for 2010 today. Also I want to talk about re- quer this policy. the right of selfdetermination and politi- strictions and bans in Europe and how it And finally the black lists, anti-terror cal, military and economical independ- effects us. laws; we call on everybody, we have to ence. These conditions bring us to the In 2000 European presidents made some have an answer now. Because the aim of duty to inform regularly the intenational decisions in Portugal called Agenda 2010. capitalism is to separate the people from community of the evolution of the multi- Actually it's the Constitution of Europe. each other in order to achieve their goals. formous struggle of the Iraqi people and They would like to become economical One policy of imperialism "Divide and to provide our constant support. The oc- power against Japan and US-economy. Rule". There's a way to break this isola- cupation of Iraq goes with the aggravation Today the reforms go on in Germany, as tion. We have to come together, to unite. of threats from the US to Syria, with the they do in other countries. They are given As Anatolian Federation in Germany, implementation of embargo also to Iran different names, but their aims are the France, England, Holland, Switzerland, where Washington multiply the steps of same. If they're going to be successful in Austria we are organised. We have to interference and in Venezuela, and the an- Germany, they'll definitely use this fight together against the Agenda 2010', dine countries, and Northkorea and oth- chance in other countries as well. In 2004 the anti-terror laws, restriction of our er countries, the tightening of the blocus the health reforms and in 2005 another rights and freedoms. We are calling you to against Cuba, the palestinian suffering legislation came up. The legislation work together, not to show solidarity. No- from oppression more and more harsh. known as Hartz IV actually brings about body has the luxury for solidarity in these Iraq is now in the frontline of the fights restrictions both in Germany and other occasions. against imperialism. countries. It is an attack on our rights and In consequence, the Iraq News Network against the working people. Because of is one of the voices in Iraq supporting the this legislation they put some restrictions Mehmet GÖCEBE, Federation resistence which leads us to conceive the to the workers, for example intimidating for Fundamental Rights in Turkey terrorism of the actual régime in Iraq di- union rights activities. Its a very aggres- (Temel Haklar Federasyonu) rected by Washington and its occupying sive and racist legislation against foreign army as well as political allied groups of people. It happened, that foreign people December 19th, 2000 was the date, when the imperial forces. Our voice shall be re- and Moslem people are announced as ter- in 20 of Turkey's prisons the security ceived better than ever before, listen to rorists within one week. Just for taking forces (gendarmes, soldiers, police, spe- the call for solidarity with the iraqi people part in any manifestation or rally you can cial teams) simultaneously made the same and the palestinian people, both in the be deported. All immigrants living in Eu- announcement: “Surrender or you will frontline of the struggle against imperial- rope are announced as potentially terror- die”. Normally this is the call made on ism, to the denounciation of the illegal tri- ists. people who are free, armed and about to al in preparation against the former lead- Only in Germany 200.000 people are fac- be arrested by the police. The fact that this ers of Iraq, to fight against the speeches ing deportation. From Yugoslavia, from call was made on defenceless prisoners in and the practices of islamophobia for the former socialist countries, a lot of depor- prison is the epitome of the policy of iso- attempt to legitimate the policies of dom- tations already took place. Germany is lation.

30 I S O L A T I O N

The Death Fast resistance in Turkey has ISOLATION IS IMPERIALISM'S POL- ture and similar bodies gave support to ended its fifth year and is entering its ICY this plan for aggression with false propa- sixth. During this period the resistance The Republic of Turkey's Justice Ministry ganda that used demagogy about human experienced the December 19th mas- has always defended the F-Types by say- rights. They called the prison cells sacre in the prisons and the Armutlu ing “the EU approves of them...” or that “rooms”, stressed how "bad the dormito- massacre outside. 120 people have lost “The European Committee on preventing ries are" and these statements were de- their lives, 600 have been left handi- torture inspected them and gave them a signed to deceive. And wasn't the dema- capped. Fascism has used every manner favourable report." The policy of isola- gogy of "human rights" first invented to of campaign, from censorship, the tion happens also to be the policy of the achieve the surrender of the forces impe- bribery of releases under paragraph 399, USA and Europe. The F-Types are the rialism wants to destroy? the torture of force-feeding, media lies form this policy takes in Turkey. The F-Type prisons were the centres of and ignoring the struggle and every kind Imperialism uses this policy to make re- the attacks but these were not limited to of policy. These campaigns have failed sisting peoples surrender and render op- the prisons. They were extended in paral- in the face of the resistance's strength position forces ineffective. In this attack lel to every area of the people's life, eco- and resolve, and they were not able to by the Empire, this is the most open way nomic, political and military. The most break it. The resistance proved to the oli- we experience American imperialism's dangerous force confronting the system garchy and the world once again that "no drive to make the peoples of the world was seen to be the revolutionaries. If rev- force can defeat the revolutionary will surrender. The forces imperialism wants olutionary dynamics could be eliminated, and creativity”. Today's government can to make surrender are first isolated it would be very easy to silence everyone only resort to the weapon of censorship. through the use of demagogy about "ter- else. Today, if there is a policy of intense Since the day the resistance started it has rorism", and then the attempt is made to censorship being practised against the re- been under a gigantic state of siege, and destroy these forces. This policy uses the sistance and a policy of ignoring it, this it is not simply imperialism, the oli- destruction of minds alongside the de- shows the potential long-term of danger- garchy and their institutions that have struction of bodies, and the aim of bring- ous that the resistance means for the sys- been the besiegers. Reformism, the pro- ing about surrender is in the foreground. tem. The system knows well that it could EU left have also been among the be- Physical destruction is a method serving encourage rebelliousness and the will to siegers, among the people trying to elim- this aim. For those who know the world's resist on this soil. This is why it resorts inate the revolutionaries, and this history also know that if those who more and more to censorship, threats and process will continue. choose to resist are defeated but not de- blackmail. The resistance has come out against impe- stroyed, they may rise to their feet again. But these efforts are not capable of con- rialism's attempts to destroy the revolu- So it is more characteristic from the ruling cealing the political importance of the re- tionaries and lay siege to them. Today, class point of view to make them surren- sistance. The resistance has been the like on the first day, it shows belief and der and draw them within the orbit of the longest and most resolute resistance in the resolve and will continue to do so. system. history of Turkey and it has already at- As is natural to its own logic, this multi- It is here that reformism plays its role in tained significance on the world scale. faceted attack takes the form of seeking the siege. Its own perspectives depend on The censorship may be seen as giving the destruction of all who oppose imperi- revolutionary thoughts being isolated and "peace and quiet" for today by the system, alism and its world order. The F-Type destroyed. Imperialism, by destroying the those in charge of the censorship and their prisons and isolation are one of the basic most radical, sends a message to all oppo- accomplices. But history is also being means for carrying out this destruction. sition forces, makes them retreat and inte- written. Whether from the point of view Resistance to isolation is a war of ideo- grates them in the system. The attacks on of the murderousness of the government, logical resolve. Protecting socialism, con- the revolutionaries take this form. The or from the point of view of the left and tinuing to show resolve on the path of rev- massacres used to eliminate the revolu- its "silent consent", this resistance has olution, organising the people and de- tionaries are a means of intimidating all been writen large into the pages of histo- fending the right to resist are what resist- sections of the opposition and the people, ry. ance involves. and reformism also profits from this. There is no alternative to resistance. It is F-Type isolation was first developed by THE GREATEST RESISTANCE IN preferable to die rather than change one's the European imperialist governments. THE HISTORY OF PRISON ISOLA- beliefs. Yes, a great price is paid but mas- There the F-Types first developed as a TION sive attacks cannot be stopped without program of annihilation. They are a re- Isolation and the "treatment" connected to paying a heavy price. Those who cannot flection of the program developed at it are not just a problem in our country. comprehend the political and historical NATO summits of imperialism, saying Today the policy of isolation is being ex- content of resistance cannot comprehend "you will either change your beliefs or perienced in many countries of the world, the full dimension of the attacks and can- you will die". When transitory victories both in their prisons and in their general not properly evaluate the high price that is over the socialist system were won in the policies. Wherever there is resistance of paid. The attacks will either be resisted or 1990s, it was in the interest of the imperi- the peoples, the imperialists put isolation the line set down by imperialism and the alist system that those who continued to on the agenda and continue to do so. Iso- oligarchy will serve as means of impris- resist and be socialist had to be prevented lation is practiced, both in the prisons of onment. Those who don't resist will be or destroyed in one form or another. Un- the USA and in the prisons of Europe. As imprisoned in that way. This is the der the mask of "human rights", the Euro- American imperialism has shown at essence of the situation today. pean Committee on the Prevention of Tor- Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib in Iraq, tor-

31 I S O L A T I O N ture has been legalized, attempts are made In the F-Types it has led to organising in- reformism, they become convinced that it to legitimize it and these are not inde- stead of individualism and disorganising, is the most serious reaction to oppose the pendent of the isolation policy. Imperial- it has led to revolutionism instead of be- F-Types. They conduct politics within the ism tries to suppress those who resist and coming part of the system, it has led to the limits set by imperialism and have taken a to destroy them, it things any method to defence of socialism instead of reformism political decision to accept its ideology. be right and tries to make others accept it. aimed at defending globalization. Anoth- We can say that "conforming with the In the past and today, when this policy er aspect is that the claim has been made EU" and reformism are now one and the was made concrete, there were various that if you do not become a pro-globaliza- same. forms of resistance in our country but oth- tion left-winger you will be destroyed. In the course of these five years a large er than the one going on at present these And here the resistance has been a mighty section of Turkey's left has abandoned were not long-lasting and no political re- cry opposing this policy. revolutionism and democracy and sup- solve was displayed. This resistance has cried out revolution to ported isolation. Never mind being revo- In the Middle East in particular but also all the world's oppressed peoples and will lutionary, they have even ceased to be in the Caucasus and the Balkans, collab- not abandon the claims of socialism. democratic. orationist oligarchies were the main This resistance will not accept the life and Despite the attacks not being limited to product of imperialism's drive for stabil- the values that imperialism seeks to im- the revolutionary movement, they do not ity through military, economic and polit- pose. It defends the method and right to see isolation, the F-Types and the resist- ical policies. For this reason imperialism resist the people have in order to impose ance and they continue not to put them on and the oligarchy showed that despite imperialism and its oligarchies. the agenda. In practice they cannot even the democracy game there would not be This resistance will not be a tool of the show responsibility in practice for resist- a step back from the policy of isolation. democracy game played with the Euro- ance to tyranny even at a democratic lev- That is, this attack was a strategic one. pean Union, and it announces its support el. Its aim was to destroy the idea of revo- of genuine democracy and people's pow- 120 people have died in the struggle lution. So resistance to this had to be er. against isolation. The left does not say, even more resolute. It had to be capable This resistance does not bow to the stupid "what are we doing" or "why aren't we of preventing Turkey becoming a pres- ideas encouraged by imperialism for doing anything." On the contrary it says, ent for imperialism in the form of a decades, that "socialism is dead... no val- "We have acted," distorting the reality. country in which the revolutionary idea ues are worth facing death for... life is sa- Isolation, the F-Type prisons, the resist- had been destroyed. The resistance has cred". In opposition to capitalism's deca- ance are all "banned areas" for imperial- made its resolve a matter that is beyond dent, selfish and rotten culture and its col- ism and the oligarchy and reformism dispute; Turkey will not be a garden lapse of values it creates a new type of hu- extneds itself from these banned areas. without thorns for imperialism and the man and a new socialist human being. It is no secret today that the left cannot oligarchy, and it will always be on the This resistance shows the peoples that hold to a consistent democratic attitude to list of "risky countries" for the monopo- they have no other path than to resist and isolation and resistance. But in addition to lies... gives them the hope and self-confidence this, the left does not even have a con- Despite all the negative conditions, the at- that a great resistance offers. science about it. This left has thrown all tacks of every type and the major state of The resolve of the resistance has unavoid- its traditions overboard and has no ties siege, the resistance goes on, leaving no ably affected all the world's left and been other than those it has with the system, room for fear, hopelessness or exhaustion. unforgettable to them, reminding them of and it has not behaved at all with regard to The resistance is a great manifesto of pa- the left's traditions and values and giving deaths, and it is not enough just to say that tience and has been the longest resistance them courage. Resisting, not surrender- it has no political resolve and is not dem- in the world to a policy that imperialism ing, not abandoning the claim of revolu- ocratic. What there is, is a picture of a left has placed on the agenda throughout the tion and having the political resolve to without a conscience or moral values. So world. pay a heavy price and not become part of besides a left that has abandoned revolu- This resistance is continuing, on the part the orbit of imperialism - the resistance tionism and democracy, we must also ask of prisoners who are all in isolation con- has completed the left's traditions and be- questions about its lack of conscience or ditions, in the name of peoples whose sur- come part of its very marrow. its bad conscience. render in the name of the policy of isola- If you do not recall what the F-Types (iso- Quite apart from whether they support the tion is being sought, and it is continuing lation) means as an ideological and polit- Death Fast as a form of struggle to isola- with political determination, the will to ical objective for imperialism and the oli- tion or don't support, if they could have win, a spirit of sacrifice and patience. garchy, you are in danger of seeing it as a organised resistance to isolation in their The special character of the resistance is simple act of resistance, and this is an er- own way, taken their place in the resist- that it has formed a barricade to the impe- ror. This is also true for those who do not ance front to the F-Type prisons, and rialist policies in practical terms; it has resist. That is, it is not just a matter of sup- shown that they were ready to take part in consciously rejected the ideology of the porting the prisoners who are resisting. It the front resisting these extermination imperialists in both political and ideolog- is a matter of accepting or not accepting plans and make the front grow. ical terms and has announced an alterna- the "leftism" favoured by imperialism and Who can believe people who talk of tive to the whole world. the oligarchy. Those who accept this kind peace and human rights when they The resistance is one of the mightiest of "leftism" are not part of the resistance, showed insensitivity to all appeals to components in the world-wide resistance and as they do not resist because the F- show sensitivity to the deaths of 120 peo- front of the peoples to imperialism. Types are supported by Europe and EU ple?

32 I S O L A T I O N

WHAT THE RESISTANCE HAS sures on it. Armed with Marxism-Lenin- en to court and are punished twice. We TAUGHT ism it has strengthened itself with a spirit lost our educational rights in the school. The resistance entering its 6th year has that challenges death. The inheritance of We couldn't go to our schools and our clearly shown that imperialism and the the resistance is a work of independence right of education is blocked by them. oligarchy could not achieve their strategic for the peoples, democracy and socialism All the problems we had, were always in- aims. that can never be undone. The inheritance dicating how the university management Imperialism and the oligarchy started this of the resistance continues to grow and be and the police were working together in attack on December 19, 2000 with the written in the pages of history. It will be order to stop our educational rights and to aim of eliminating revolutionary organi- written with honour in the pages of the isolate us. Again I would like to give you sations and making the struggle retreat. people's history by those who resist, not other examples, as the building of some The oligarchy's "prison problem" was not by those who practise censorship nor campuses for the students to accommo- simply about "dormitories" but was about those who engage in efforts to isolate the date them. Even this accommodation is bringing about the physical, ideological revolutionary movement inside and out- quite separated from each other. They did- and organisational destruction of those side prison, even if they call themselves n't want even students being together and who resisted the winds of the 1990s and left-wingers. talk about their problems. And there was persisted in being Marxist-Leninist. The a meeting, during which they one by one opportunist and reformist left clearly re- defined revolutionary students. They reg- treated in these conditions. It can be said Pembe Özlem OLGUN, Youth istered all of them, one by one and then that the masses too retreated. But the ba- Federation (Genclik Federasyonu) they started to harass them. They went to sic aim of these attacks was not achieved. their families to tell them 'your children Genuine revolutionary organisations did I would like to thank the IPAI for the in- are terrorists, they are involved in illegal not retreat. Organisation is a mechanism vitation and bring greetings from our activities'. They accused our friends, as if for prisoners to defend themselves. That friends in Turkey. Last two days we they were involved in terrorist activities. means political and cultural activities. Or- talked about the effect of influence about These are not the only problems we have. ganisation is a product. And it defends be- the isolation in prisons. And I would like We're being watched every minute by the liefs. to talk about more of how the young peo- security cameras and also this involves There are two key factors in the prisons - ple are influenced of this in Turkey. This not only the students, but also the teach- resistance and an organised life. These is a policy not only in the prisons. But we ers. They can watch them even during two factors complement one another. But have these problems in every part of our lessons, in the classes. Depending on if you do not organise, it is not possible to life. We started the new slogan, we don't their speech in the classes, it can lead bring the line you follow to life. And you want "F-Type Universities" or "F-type even for the teachers to court and prison cannot follow a stable line of resistance High Schools". If you ask me where this or they can be expelled. under all conditions and without an or- come from.. In every corner of our uni- To take part in a press conference is a ganised life, you cannot prevent the pris- versities there are cameras. They look like very simple and constitutional right, also ons from being changed. If resistance and military buildings and there are so many according to legislation of our own an organised life are completely concre- anti-democratic practises. So always we school. They try to present it as illegal ac- tised, then despite the attacks and the state don't want to study under these circum- tivity. And I would like to give you anoth- of siege, they cannot succeed. So whether stances in Turkey too. The organisation er few examples; one of our students, just or not attacks succeed depends on this called YÖK, since this organisation was because he took part in the Mayday point. established in 1981, the problems started demonstration in Ankara, was taken to the Since the F-Types are the focus of the pol- to increase and still continue to increase. police headquarter in Ankara. He was tor- icy of elimination, a key condition is This organisation founded and destroyed tured in order to tell which organisation breaking resistance. After breaking the re- the universities liberty, and instead they he belonged too. They try to present May- sistance the masses can be demoralised introduced so many anti-democratic laws day even as illegal and again they ha- and an organised, ideological plan of ex- in the education system in the universities rassed and tried to oppress the families. termination can be practised. The prisons and high schools. Once again with YÖK They openly threat them saying: "If then become places not of resistance but the repression has increased much more. you're not going to educate your son the of backward thoughts and repentance. On For example, even our demand for free way we want, then we're going to educate a world scale, this is one of the biggest study rights didn’t find any solution. So him the way we want". dangers for revolutionaries. In a country many students from our schools, revolu- About year and a half ago, the students where prisons are like this, it is though a tionary and democratic students who de- were shown some pictures of massacres great barricade against revolution has mand free and democratic vote, have their on the screens. These massacres were been formed. Imperialism and the oli- pictures all over the school area put by carried out by the police itself. By show- garchy cannot break resistance if it goes police, like wanted man. In addition the ing this massacre films they try to give the from being limited to an area or prisoners pressure from the authorities and also we students the message: "If you get in- to being an action carried out in various are receiving so many attacks and insults volved with revolutionary organisations, froms outside the prisons. It cannot go be- from the civil fascist groups too. As a re- you're going to end up the way we're yond its own attacks. sult of these attacks, 150 people were showing on the screens now". As I said in This great resistance now entering its 6th wounded. In the end of these civil fascist the beginning of my speech, isolation year has surpassed all values previously attacks, instead of those who attacked us, doesn't only concern the prisoners. If we created, developed and resisted the pres- the people who had been beaten were tak- say that we don't want 'F-type universities

33 I S O L A T I O N or high schools', we also say that we don't considered as activity of a terrorist organ- The repression of the state is linked with want F-type life. The resistance within the isation. If these activities are leading to the resistance against unemployment and prisons, continuing for six years, is resist- change the economical and political sys- the restriction of the social system. Such ance against the F-type life. As a result of tem of the country, they definitely have to kind of resistance must have a link be- this resistance as you know, 120 people be called terrorism. According to this de- tween themselves and the struggle of the lost their lives. If they need more people scription, every struggle against the sys- social class. The policy of Bush will to sacrifice their lives, we're going to be tem is anounced a terrorist act. With this maybe make a future revolutionary crisis. these people. description every struggle is shown iden- tical. And now they started to have their armed Pavlos ANATOPOULOS, Gaby TIES, MLPD (Marxist- security personal during flights, as one of Confederation of Greek Leninist Party of Germany) the NATO-decisions in 2001. This has Public Servants (ADEDY) been a common decision of all NATO Dear comrades, members. In addition they started for the Friends and comrades, In 2001 the UN made a decision, that all first time to apply exceptional situation I am here to greet your Symposium countries actively or passively, if it is es- legislations. Security services cooperation against exclusion, tortures and the white tablished that they have relation or are in- increased. cells. It is a common finding that the volved in any terrorist activities, can be The military and civil intelligence servic- deeper the crisis of capitalism the stronger punished. All these decisions are taken es try to stop all civilian rebellions and becomes its aggressiveness and brutality. against those who fight against exploita- people's struggles. They began to work On the one hand, we have the strengthen- tion and imperialism. So, people either much closer to stop all these organisations ing of the fight against the workers with obey the rules or they are punished. So activities. And also they made some other the attack against all that they have con- many democratic rights have been already decisions to restrict many other rights. quered in the fields of their working rights abolished. They banned organisations, which they and salaries. On the other hand, the ag- The so-called globalisation, that brings are not even allowed to come to any Eu- gressiveness of imperialism in the field of about some differences in economical life ropean areas. Members of these organisa- capital globalization is suffocating the as well. So we need to consider that as tions are not even allowed to get asylum. people of our planet on a daily basis, the well. And also they aim to disuse every single people of Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and The way we prefer to mention rather than member of these organisations regarding the people in other areas of Africa and globalisation we would like to support in- their activities, and intimidate them. Asia. ternational productivity. The capitalists Today many of them are deported to The workers should resist through their are using oppression, but in the end they countries they came from. organisations against these politics of can't succeed in protecting their interests, With the arrest of Giuseppe May in lethal capitalism. Resist against intruders, but making the crisis even deeper. France here recently they targeted the against conquerors, against traitors but We are witnessing in Germany now that New Italian Communist Party. Angelo da also resist against the ideologies that are people are getting more conscious about Concelli who was arrested this year, could urged to people in order to transform what's going on. The class conscious is be liberated by a big campaign of solidar- them to servants of the new emperors. now more widespread among the people ity. In Italy, France and Germany, our par- The heroic resistance of the Iraqi patriots, and there's starting a new period. The ty made a big solidarity campaign. We the Afghan fighters, the Palestinian peo- working class people's conscience also want to salute Guiseppe May and ple and of all the people fighting for their started a period, which make it more dif- Guiseppe Cseppel, who are in jail here in freedom is the main obstacle to the impe- ficult for the imperialists and the crisis France and want their immediate release. rialistic plans. It is necessary to unit the deeper. We have to organise the struggles, for all universal movement of the workers in this Nowadays social states economies talk, political prisoners, Marxist-Leninist, pro- fight, not just as a support movement but their liberal democratic systems becomes gressive and democratic. We want them to also as a movement to reverse the social more suspicious for working class people. be liberated as well. Actually in France, reality that feeds imperialism in each Even now there are the women rights that 500 young people were arrested and 700 country separately and all around the came on the agenda to be discussed. Cap- condemned after the guerrilla movements world. italism can't find a solution even to the in November in the suburbs. We also want The main aim of the universal capitalism simple demands of the people. their liberation. Their action was for so- is the hindering of the organising of the There's a political crisis as well. This is cial discrimination and the true violence workers, of the repressed and of the peo- clearly shown at international level. is on the boss office and the state. All this ple so as to stop their resistance. The fas- Strikes continue in many countries. They doesn't show us the force but the fear of cism of everyday life is pressed in all the are becoming like political demands the governments. Because they are afraid countries of the world and in several Eu- strikes, not only for economical reasons. of the popular and worker's movements. ropean countries it is expressed in an ex- And people are becoming more open to Most of French and most of Netherlands treme way. If half of my heart is shot in our messages with their political demands people said NO to the European Constitu- Turkey, my other half is imprisoned in the and it is widespread to many countries. tion. Baltic countries where the communist In between '90 and '98 the member of se- In many European countries there's an in- movement is illegal and its leaders into curity forces increase 41.7%. What they crease of political crisis. And it's growing prisons, in Ireland where the problem is say now, any political activity has to be up with the struggle of the working class. going on and the secretary of the commu-

34 I S O L A T I O N nist movement was arrested and is under humiliation and provocation continuous- ta of 3.3 % from the total. 79 of child pris- threat of extraditing to the USA, in Spain ly. Their condition is very difficult. To in- oners are sick and depend on medical where the parties of the Basques are con- timidate the movement in those countries, treatment. Hundreds of prisoners were ar- sidered illegal and in all the other coun- they especially try to arrest the leader of rested when they were children. They are tries where political action is penalized this organisation to intimidate the rest of now over 18 years old and still detained and the people are being terrorized under the people, to discourage them and to be inside Israeli prisons. the excuse of fighting against terrorism. able to carry on their oppressive regime. The resistance of the people is becoming There are usually people isolated, who stronger. In South America, the American have either killed Israeli soldiers or they Julio DIAZ, on behalf of PCPE imperialists are having a tremendous dif- did something against Israeli interests. (Communist Party of the Peoples ficulty to support their politics. In Iraq, And in addition to that arbitrarily they can of Spain-Partido Comunista de they have bogged down. The same is true isolate political prisoners as well. They do Los Pueblos de España) for Afghanistan. In Europe social disap- everything to destroy their morality, to in- proval is becoming explosive like in sult their traditions, to break their deter- Hello to all. I’m very happy to be here to- France. Despite the prohibitions forced by mination. day. We want to create a united work. Iso- universal resistance, the people are form- Prisoners are aware of these heavy condi- lation is one of the facts of the capitalist ing organisations, are in defense and mov- tions. The prisoners are going on hunger- system today. Capital needs to increase ing to attack. It is going to be our victory. strike against these practices several the exploitation of people in violent war Venceremos! times. Authorities in the beginning they and repression. War is one of the tactics were acting as if they would accept some used by imperialism. In this situation our of their demands. But then they start to alternative, our revolutionary forces, we isolate them even badly. These are con- have to fight against social democracy ventional practices of the government of and reformism in the working class in the the prisons. popular sector, in order to stop the forced If isolation policies carry on, if they can- dream by them, like we could make capi- not find any solution or answer for their talism democratic. Democracy of capital- demand, then the situation is getting even ism, so-called nice democracy gives a po- worse. All the law institutions try to make litical and a police and military visions of pressure to stop this arbitrary isolation things. As revolutionary organisations we conditions. About a week ago UN cele- have to break the social consensus in brated the ‘Day of Isolation Victims’. I which the system today use it. would like to read something now. Since The revolutionary forces must be able to 1967 Israel has arrested hundreds of thou- create a big international anti-imperialist sands of Palestinians, approximately 650 front in order to fight against the World 000 which consist about 20 % of Palestin- Bank, the WTO. In this sense we want to Saleh NAZZAL, Ministry for ian population in this area. The number of propose some basis about contradiction Prisoners on behalf of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails until now is inside the system, which might be the line Administration 9.200. Distributed at 28 jails and other de- of the worldwide anti-imperialist move- tention centres. In addition to that hun- ment. And our alternative must be social- First of all I want to thank you for your in- dreds of them get salaries by the minister ism: vitation, and for helping us to reach our of finance because they are individuals in 1- to fight against all military aggression goals and pave the way for fighting the the Palestinian security forces and other against working class and people, isolation prisons, as well as imperialism. working in civil jobs in national authority. 2- to stop the international capitalist insti- We have to scream what we want for all The estimated amount of money being tutions, like WTO, and try to create new over the world. We have to be the voice of paid by the PNA to detainees is 3 millions form of relations to drop the dept of the the political prisoners. And we have to dollars. And the number of prisoners be- poor countries work not only show solidarity. The histo- fore the beginning of Al-Aksa Intifada 3- to end the illegal exchange ry of the political prisoners is really alive was 570. 289 prisoners in West Bank, 4- to end all kinds of exploitation, like like a sunshine. We have to make heard 169 prisoners in Gaza strip, 112 prisoners analphabetism and illness their voices as we always know the tor- in Jerusalem, 48 in other areas. 369 pris- 5- to progressive secularism concern ture exists in the world. We unfortunately oners of these prisoners have been de- about the education culture, total sover- don’t know that much about isolation. tained prior of the Oslo Agreement, which eignty of the political power and religion One of the worst example is not only iso- makes 4 %. More than 400 females have 6- to create a worldwide peasants move- lation. Cells like little boxes, called x- been arrested since the beginning of the ment cells, very dirty and without any sunlight. Al-Aksa Intifada, 160 female prisoners 7- to struggle for the collective propriety They are basically designed for killing the are still inside the Israeli prisons, 1.3 % of to scientific knowledge and technologics. detainees. There’s no radio, no newspa- the total number of prisoners. Near 4000 8- to support ecological refundication in per. Everything is prohibited. Not even Palestinian children have been arrested order to protect the nature singing, speaking loudly is allowed. Visits since the outbreak of Al-Aksa Intifada. 9- to protect the national sovereignty and are prohibited. Very occasionally they can 301 children from the total number of the right for self-determination of the peo- see their relatives. They endure so many prisoners are still in Israeli prisons, a quo- ple

35 I S O L A T I O N

Jean Phillipe ANTOLINI, this clearly means, if the police feels that well as details of torture, political prison- Corsican Committee Against you can be guilty, it is good enough to be ers, etc., to bring to light many other cas- Repression in prison for eight years. es of abuse, torture and harm of the most We went to Strasbourg a few days ago. fundamental rights. Repeatedly, year after I would like to thank the organisers of the In February the process of Jean Castella year, different organisms and organisa- symposium to give us the possibility to will take place and we were just asking tions, both international and of the Span- speak. We salute all people of the world, some days ago, your European Institution ish state, official and non-official have de- the prisoners of thoughts, the political to see in which way this process will take nounced once again the practice of tor- prisoners. We have a very long history. place. We want that the political prisoners ture. In relation to torture and political re- Many invaders went to our land in order from Corsica can return to their country. pression the most obvious and most de- to conquer it. Because its strategic posi- The Committee against Repression nounced by these organisations is the tion was always of interest. Corsica had (CAR) supports people, which have cho- Anti-Terror legislation. In the Spanish never been in the hands of those who sen the armed struggle in order to answer state there is special legislation together wanted to take it. Our land was independ- the violence of the French State in Corsi- with an ad-hoc judicial organ for cases, ent. ca. Thanks. which are called terrorism. The Anti-Ter- Pascal Paoli who gave to Corsica inde- Of course I also want to greet the Basque, ror legislation current is the same with pendence and made the Corse the first Bretagne and Corsican political prisoners, some slight modifications as the Anti-Ter- democracy of modern type in Europe. Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, because I was ror-Law of Franco and the national judi- When we lost our independence in 1969 also for a time in prison with them in cial organ charged with processing these there had always been the collaborators. France. cases is the tribunal of public order com- And then France came and took our coun- ing of Franco's time. The tribunal that is try. For two centuries we are resisting. in charge of political trials, slightely dis- The French state is using illegal weapons, Júlia HUMET, Rescat guised. The Anti-Terror-Law is widely ignores European laws, and even doesn't (organisation for the support of criticised by lawyers as well as by human have respect for its own laws. I would like political prisoners in Catalunia) rights organisations. The period in which to show you how France violates all these prisoners are cut off from the outside, can laws and in which way Corsican militants We are a pro-independence organisation last as long as thirteen days, from the time are put into jail. They have the responsi- from Catalunia. As I said we have had in they come to the hands of police. There's bility to keep the prisoners as near as pos- this month a witness of a much harder re- a high risk of torture in this period, in sible to their relatives. But they deport pression than we previously suffered in which no communication is possible for them from Corsica to Paris. As a result of Catalunia. But I think that it is necessary the detainees. But the law denies them this our people are basically and techni- that we're going to speak of the repression also the right for legal assistance, which is cally in isolation. that is exercised by the Spanish state, a recognized by the Spanish Constitution. Corsican people cannot get into the state that is a member of the European We're from Catalunia, a Mediterranean French jails. They can't even see each oth- Union, considered to be democratic since country, whose main cities are Barcelona, er. They are 1500 kilometres from their the end of Franco's dictatorship and the Valencia, Palma de Mallorca and Per- home. The French Prime Minister and In- approval of the 1978 Constitution. The pignon. Currently it is not only under con- terior Minister declare on TV “we apply Spanish state is considered at internation- trol of the Spanish state but also under the the law, the prisoners are near by their al level to be a Western state, which is control of France. Since the death of the families”. But they just tell lies. For one called a member of the first world and dictator Franco and the establishment of prisoner who is put close to his family, which is supposed to comply with all the supposed democracy, in our country more than ten prisoners still stay inside democratic guarantees and to respect hu- has existed and exists a struggle for polit- French jails. There are 60 Corsican pris- man rights, which is supposed to be ap- ical rights as well as for individual rights. oners in Paris. One Corsican patriot is ar- propriate to a social state and a state that rested and put in French jail since 25 is based on democratic rights, as is de- years. He is insulted by being told that fined in article 1 of the Spanish Constitu- Laia Altarriba, Endavant he's French, just a number of the jail. tion. The national anti-terror police arrest Cor- The Spanish State is a member of the In 1992, coinciding with the celebration sican people every week. Real violence is Council of Europe, which has signed all of the Barcelona Olympics, they carried colonisation of peoples. the international agreements opposing out a big repressive operation, aiming the Our language is Corsican. Some of the torture and respecting human rights. And armed organisation 'Terra Lyra' and left prisoners are imprisoned for eight years there's a signatory of the European Tri- the revolutionary movement for inde- now. They are not convicted, just de- bunal of Human Rights. But reality shows pendence was fatally wounded. With this tainees. Some cases haven't started yet, us that we are very far of being able to mega-operation of repression the state be- some of them will start in February, claim that the Spanish state respects the lieved that it had dismantled the revolu- they've been waiting their trial for eight rights and freedoms that are most funda- tionary independence movement and re- years. The chief of the Anti-terror section mental. Perhaps the cases most evident, duced it. In 1997 the last political prison- was asked by the lawyers, what proof he which are most covered in the media, ers from Catalunia were pardoned and be- has. They asked him 'can you show us those that the Basque comrades have told gan to live in a situation of repression less your evidence regarding this case'. His us about and will continue to tell us about in tense. With a number of detentions but answer was: "Just the police feeling". So in the coming days. The political rights as nobody condemned to any serious impris-

36 I S O L A T I O N onment and with no serious condemna- of Euros to be able to spend 40 minutes, but the motivation of their imprisonment tion. Effectively the repressive Spanish talking with a comrade through a glass is a political one and is repeated in differ- State has becoming harder since then. window. Another policy that is used by ent forms, but always with the same ob- Currently there are nine Catalan political the governments against political prison- jective. For the most part the states of the prisoners and there are various cases be- ers is isolation. For one hand it is applied European Union, as of many that you ing opened. We have two cases, that have more severely than the general means would know about here. We say that the been judged by the national audiences, used in their way of life etc. of the prison- motive is political, because it is the fruit the repressive judicial organ, and cases of ers. In the Spanish prisons there are three of the economic policy of the states of the denunciation of torture and maltreatment types of prison regime, called grades. And EU, which export misery, poverty and ex- by police commissars have increased. the majority of political prisoners are used ploitation to the rest of the world. But There are enough examples that confirm to the first grade, the hardest and in theo- their respond to those who had been ex- that torture, maltreatment and isolation of ry reserved for exceptional cases. Prison- pelled from their countries as a result of prisoners are not just a rare subject in ers have to spend almost 24 hours a day these policies is the F.I.E.S. regime. Catalunia. Prisoners connected with the inside their cells. But even when they go Inside these Catalan prisons and those in Basque liberation movement; as this al- out to the prison exercise yard, they only the rest of the Spanish state, it is easy for ready been pointed out before, in Catalu- see a very small number of other prison- prisoners to be ill treated, while the nia there are currently five political pris- ers and they're not allowed to participate guards aren't punished for ill treating oners connected with the movement for in any sports or cultural activity. We have them. I'm talking about the F.I.E.S liberation of the Basque country. Four of seen, that the policy of the Spanish state regime, which is described as a prison in- these prisoners were detained in connec- for political prisoners is based on isola- side the prison. Inside this regime there tion with dismantling of the ETA's tion, expressed in different forms. The are prisoners held who are considered by Barcelona commando in 2001, the other isolation is meant to weaken the strength the state to be a sort of conflict, such as person, a woman was detained by the of the political prisoners as a collective political prisoners. Those who are held French state and is currently imprisoned and as a political subject. under this regime live isolated for 22 to in Paris. In the recent years, following Centres of internment for foreigners; 23 hours of the day with only one hour clear political directives, condemnations probably one of the places, where these outside to exercise. And almost always for crimes in connection with the so- practises are most common and are prac- they exercise alone. This situation of iso- called terrorism of ETA have been hard- tised with most lack of punishment by the lation gives great opportunities to the ened. state or the centres of internment for for- guards to exercise repression against the With this dynamic the four prisoners who eigners. These centres are prisons apart prisoners without any chance of being have been imprisoned and judged in the from a prison, where foreigners from out- punished for it. Because the most of the Spanish state have been condemned to side the European Union are detained, times the accusations that they can make nine years of prison for collaboration with who don't have their documents in order. are put in an archive, that is kept secret. an armed band, a crime which doesn't ex- One of the biggest of these centres of the And let us not forget that it is not a new ist in other European countries. But the Spanish state is in Barcelona. No regula- government, the new recent government mentioned female prisoner has been con- tion of the conditions of life of the prison- that has done this. In fact it was the 'so- demned for instance for 18 years in ers in these spaces, where the detainees cialist' government of Philipe Gonzales, prison, for crimes which in previous years can stay for as long as 40 days, while the which created the F.I.E.S regime, 'Opera- were only punished with a penalty of six maximum period of holding a person in a tion Dixan". The political motivations to eight years. commisaria is no more than 72 hours. also explains some operations in Catalu- The Spanish state uses a systematic form The lack of regulation makes it easier to nia that have been set to be against 'inter- of repression, which makes use of dis- systematically harm the rights of the pris- national terrorism'. This is the case for ex- persing political prisoners. In this way oners held in detention. To try to protect ample with "Operation Largo", better they remove the prisoners from their envi- the integrity and the dignity of these per- known as 'Operation DIXAN'. ronment and in some cases they periodi- sons there are various associations who cally they change their prison that they have asked for access into these installa- are put in. This method causes harm to the tions in Barcelona, but the authorities TRIBUNAL: prisoner at a personal level. But also po- have denied this over and over again. So, ISOLATION, litical by removing him or her from his or knowledge of the conditions we have is BLACK LISTS her country, but it also removes the polit- very limited. AND LAW ical prisoners from one another, making it These persons have told us that detainees difficult for them to continue collective are kept in cells that are 3x2 m2, they are political situation. held in cells underground without natural Message from Halil Huseyin Abu We must remember that up to now the light and there's very little ventilation and Jabal from Golan Heights, who Spanish State rejects recognizing politi- no access to walk around. They lack inter- wasn't able to attend the sympo- cal status for political prisoners in relation preters, and this makes the sense of being sium to solving the Basque question. In part the defendless stronger. During the last years dispersion of prisoners does harm also to there have been dozens of cases of prison- Dear noble strugglers: their family members and their friends. ers being attacked by the people who are We convey to you all greetings from the Each week they must travel many thou- guarding them. It is certain that these peo- Syrian Arabs in the Golan Heights who sands of kilometres and waste hundreds ple are not prisoners for political activity, suffer all kinds of brutal practices of the

37 I S O L A T I O N

Israeli occupation .We believe that the oc- quata, ein Kenya, Sehita and Ghajar. Alto- tions, but our human heritage and culture. cupation is passing. And you the people gether 6396 inhabitants, most of them Evacuating people from their houses, de- assembling from different areas to con- found shelter during the war in Majdal molishing all villages and capturing their demn the occupation and their supporters, Shams on the Hermon Mnt. slopes. land by force. As mentioned before, Israel encourage us to carry on struggling for Israel declared all evacuated villages after evacuated 124,000 Syrian people (which freedom . the war as closed military areas, which in- now they became about 450,000 refugees dicated that those who enter the area will near by Damascus) out of their houses Dear ladies and gentlemen : be exposed for 5 years imprisonment. and land, destroying their properties to es- Israel put it strictly that those who think to tablish settlements, military bases and The Golan Heights is located in the south- return will be shot down. The Israeli mil- mining the rest of the land, establishing ern part of The Syrian Arab Republic. The itary warning included those who were Jewish settlements in Golan against region is1850 sq. and Includes range of not evacuated from their houses. Geneva conventions. mountains reaching altitude of 2880 m It happened when one of Massada vil- Israel expropriated all water resources and above sea level. The region is bordered lagers, Mohana Ebraheem, tried to return prevented the local population of using it. with Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon. to his house after short exile in Majdal Like the Banias river water: 145 million The occupation by itself is a crime against Shams, he was shot to death. The Israeli m3 a year; the Lake of Massada which those under, not to mention the inhumane oppressive occupation sequenced in hu- stores 7,000 million m3 a year. actions, which contradicts the human man problems. Hundreds of families were Establishing Israeli military bases inside rights and the International conventions. split down between the occupied territory the Syrian villages and mining fields When mention the Israeli occupation, it’s and the other parts of Syria. Many fami- around and in between the houses. It’s to the most savage enjoying the support of lies have not been able to meet the other indicate here that 45 people were killed of the super power countries. part of their families since 1967. They are the Israeli mine sand tens were severely All forms of occupation are bad but the deprived of the right to visit or to meet injured. most is the Israeli. They are colonial who them, against all international conven- Preventing the Syrian inhabitants to com- aim to capture all resources of the occu- tions. municate with their relatives in the other pied territories and establish their settle- In 14 December 1981, the Israeli Knesset parts of Syria ments to control the land and the water for applied the Israeli civilian law on Golan Annexation of the Golan and applying the the sake of the settlers, depriving the orig- and annexed the Golan Heights to Israel. Israeli laws on the Local Syrians. inal owners and population of Israel is the It was the second Israeli decision to annex last colonial power on our globe after Arabian Territory after Jerusalem. Israel Ladies and gentlemen: freeing South Africa. The Israeli colonial destroyed all the Syrian Arab villages and The fact that there is occupation on our power is whom we suffer of in the Syrian cities including holly places, for estab- land, it dictates resistance. Struggling Golan, in Palestine and in the Lebanese lishing the Jewish settlements. against occupations is legal by human and Shebaa farms. The total of Jewish settlements in Golan historical measures and understandings, The Golan was affected in the early twen- are 33. These settlements are expanded despite all attempts of Israel and USA to tieth century by the political changes oc- nowadays mainly after the Israeli with- picture such resistance as terrorism to dis- curred as a consequence of the European drawal from Gaza. card the Palestinian, Lebanese and Iraqi colonial goals in the Eastern Arab Coun- The total of the settlers are 18,000. They struggle. tries. After the Ottoman Empire collapse, make living of agriculture and cattle. It’s We in the Syrian Golan Heights, support the Golan as well as the other Syrian land, to point here that Israel confiscated the the resistance against all occupations and fell under the French Mandate. The water resources of the Golan in favour of condemn all actions wrong to the noble Golanese participated actively in the the Jewish settlers depriving the original goals of liberty and liberation. Struggle against the Ottoman and later the population of using such resources. The Golanese resisted and continue to re- French to gain independence. sist the Israeli occupation. Since 1967 the The Israeli occupation practices and the Golan resistance adapted objectively to The 1967 war/ occupation of Golan: consequences on the Syrians in Golan: the reality of their goals. Rejection of oc- As a consequence of the 1967 war, Israel The Geneva convictions implies that the cupation. Rejection of the Israeli citizen- occupied 1250 sk. of the Golan Heights occupation must apply the rules and regu- ship and emphasizing their loyalty to the including Quenaitra the Capital of the lations of the state the owner of the land, Syrian homeland. For this sake, hundreds province. As Israel was not able to evacu- since occupation supposed to be a tem- were put in prison sentenced for longer ate all the Palestinian population from the porarily situation. But since the first days periods. The Golanese detainees were tor- west Bank and Gaza in 1967 like what of the Israeli occupation, the Israeli mili- tured physically and psychologically. Still happened in 1948, Israel was able to tary forces applied their oppressive rules in the Israeli prisons tens of Golanese for evacuate tens of thousands Syrians from ignoring all international conventions. more than 21 years, suffer of diseases and the Golan. Examples of such practices are: High tax- lacking serious treatments. As a witness The Israeli defense Minister at that time, ations are imposed on the Golanese, to one of the Golanese detainee died as a re- Moshe Dyan, ordered his forces to evacu- break their economic strength and make sult of health neglect and cancer. ate all inhabitants from their villages. them loyal to the Israeli economic system. What was left out of 139 villages and 61 The Syrian educational system was re- Ladies and Gentlemen: farms and two cities before 1967, are 6 placed by the Israeli one, which contra- The Geneva Convention indicates that the villages: Majdal Shams, Masaada, Bo- dicts not only the international conven- occupation authorities must detain prison-

38 I S O L A T I O N ers from the occupied territories, close to their rules of justice and their principles. ers were sentenced to more decades of their area, to avoid suffering of their fam- Therefore justice has been all the time a prison. On the other hand until now the ilies who have to visit them. Israel never mechanism to help the rulers to warn ones responsible and involved in the mas- respected such conventions and impose everyone, who is opposing and to justify sacres have not even been called for inter- on the families and the detainees collec- all kinds of injustice. Anytime there ex- rogation. Time shall erase all traces. Jus- tive punishment. The Golan detainees are ists a threat for the regime, anytime the tice was finished when the state officials imprisoned in very far places. The fami- power of the regime is discussed, in other that were responsible for the massacres lies have to spend one complete day trav- words anytime an enemy exists, there lies have been rewarded with the highest elling and waiting to gain half an hour the threat of dictatorship behind the judi- medal of honour. The prisoners that sur- visit each two weeks. Isn’t that a real cial arrangements of the regime. Nowa- vived the attack were brought to isolation crime against humanity? days, this sword, drawn by imperialism cells. These F-Type prisons with cells for The Israeli exaggeration of violating the and its collaborating regimes is not put in 1 to 3 people are built far away from the rights of the Arab detainees in general and sheath at all. The waves of attack are car- cities. The prisoners hat to endure all the Syrians in particular, it’s a continuous ried out against everybody who does not kinds of humiliating searches, they were violation of the Arab Syrian human rights think in the same way as the regime, stripped, their beards, hair and moustach- in the Golan Heights, which requires in- everyone and every organisation that aims es were shaved. The ones that were creased pressure of the liberal and peace to overrule the regime and struggles for brought to the F-Type prison No. 1 in and just movements to make Israel be- independence and freedom are put on the Izmit were also beaten and sexual abused. have accordingly and bring an end to it’s black list or are announced terrorists. For days, wounded prisoners were tor- occupation in the Golan and the Palestin- The date of 19th to 22nd December tured. They were searched even n their ian and Lebanese territories. 2000, the date that was willingly chosen underwear, their documents for their de- In the end we appreciate your efforts and for this symposium, is a turning point in fence in court were seized and they were sacrifice to achieve your human and noble these censorship and arbitrary politics of not allowed to see their lawyers. Today goals. oppression and repression called isola- these inhuman treatments are carried on We would like to thank you for giving us tion. At that date, every right of the peo- and have been legalized during 5 years of the opportunity to share you our hope and ple were suspended in favour of the experience. Without the existence of any vision. regime that could no longer tolerate even court decision the prisoners are denied to Thank you. any kind of bourgeois justice. That date, receive the magazines they want to read. an attack in the prisons of Turkey on po- The prison authorities decide what pris- litical and other prisoners was carried out oner will read which magazine. Our Taylan TANAY, lawyer from the by military forces in which 28 prisoners clients Halen Ercan KARTAL and Loi People's Law Bureau in Istanbul lost their lives. Today nobody still denies Osman KÖSE are kept in single isolation the brutality of the attack. Six persons cells. Since the foundation of the prison First I want to thank the Plattform against were burned alive, one of the bodies was they are kept in total isolation, even the Isolation for organising this great and delivered to his family as a peace of coal. neighbor cells were emptied so that they important work, to greet all prisoners, or- From the evidence given to court one can not even hear another human voice. The ganisation and peoples who oppose all the see, that the amount of weapons, bombs prisoners who face the same trial are kept aggressive politics of imperialism and I and the soldiers involved are enough to in separate cells and it is not possible for bow in respect for the 120 heroic martyrs wage a war between two countries. The them to meet each other. Letters are kept that gave their lives in the big resistance attack had the aim of isolation, not only arbitrary and it is not possible to write against Isolation. for the prisoners, but for all peoples of about what you experience in prison. Let- Turkey. A look at history will make you ters to the lawyers are seized. The prison Dear participants, I have to admit that de- understand why the prisoners were cho- authorities are not controlled in any way spite my efforts to analyse isolation and sen as the target. Every time the regime and regulate the possibilities of a prisoner black list issues from a clear view of law faced a crisis, it turned against the politi- to see his family and to exchange letters and justice, my analysis will be in large cal prisoners first. There are two reasons, according to their mood. Even the kind of parts political observations and analysis. why the prisoners are chosen every time a prisoner’s defense is determined by the In short, I do not aim to obey to the judi- to give a message to the revolutionaries prison authorities, which seize any kind cial lectures that the ruling ones shaped that threaten the regime and to the people. of document they do not approve. according to their needs and do not have First, the prisons are the field, where one Some times all prisoners have to face to any sense except to protect their own in- can get the best results. Second, in case of be beaten up by the guards in an organ- terests. Of course on the subjects of iso- a success, it is a victory for the own poli- ised attack. There are endless numbers of lation and black lists, one can draw some tics. I will not make the mistake to details and hundreds of insane treatments. conclusions from a layers view. And of analyse this massacre carried out in the So, where are justice and law in all that? course, they are not to underestimate in name of isolation against the political The truth is that in these cells not only the numbers. Only, that these conclusions are prisoners of Turkey from a judicial point prisoners but justice is imprisoned. Sen- grounded in the political analysis and au- of view. The state has abandon its own tences that do not occur in any law are le- thority of those, who heroic gave their laws, shaped to protect its own interests, galized, nicht verstanden: örtbas etme söz lives, used the importance of live as an ef- violated its constitution, the right of life. konusu olduðunda emre amade ve fective weapon by laying themselves on Endless new courts were opened against görünür olduðudur. Nobody cared that the line and sacrificed themselves for those that hadn’t die in the attack, prison- these treatments violate the 5th article of

39 I S O L A T I O N the International Human Rights Declara- authorities afterwards. That means, that ism is quite legitimate. It is imperialism tion, the 7th Article of the UNO political prison authorities themselves supported that is responsible for wars against the rights agreement, the anti-torture law of an illegal organisation... The fact that the peoples, responsible for hunger that has Turkey from 1987 and the article 17/3 of event violated every judicial principle and caused the death of millions of people. the constitution of Turkey. The F-Type statute of the country was no reason to In 1848 before the revolution, the slogan prisons were started in December 2000 prevent it from happening. There is one of the conservative Odilon Barrot “La le- but have no legal base. Since then not a other decision that is of great importance galite nous tue” legalized “death to the single law has been issued concerning ad- under the perspective of the isolation pol- ones that rule us”. It’s not possible to for- ministration, statue or regulations of the itics. The law condemns every resistance get that slogan. The face of law turned to prisons. against these inhuman treatments. It is ordinary countrymen. Most times the face Until June 2005 the regulations of the forbidden to take place in a hungerstrike was cold and merciless. On one hand the prisons where shaped according to one of death fast. According to the regime, state had to violate some laws. Someone document called “master plan”. This doc- death fasters have to be convinced to stop. who breaks the law is normally confront- ument has not been seen neither by pris- If the do not stop themselves they have to ed with the whole power of justice. The oners nor by their lawyers. It is used as le- be forced to stop. This understatement is fact that laws are not just is no argument galisation of all kinds of inhuman treat- without doubt not only not according to against this dogma of justice. Because a ments and accusations of prisoners justice but also against humanity. Even law is a law and simply carries out in- against these treatments are dismissed before the law was approved the Turkish structions. The same state that very easy with it. But every emission regarding state caused the death of nearly 500 peo- abandon the principles of justice treats his rights and duties of a prisoner, every re- ple by forcing them. The World Health citizen that faces injustice without commission regarding the statute of a prison Organisation is very clear on this in its pensation and even tries to legalise the in- has to obey the law. It can not be changed Declaration about Hungerstrike from justice with laws. To avoid, that his citi- in part or in total by any act of will. At 1st Tokio (1970) and Malta (1992). Both dec- zens will see the reality the bourgeois sys- of June isolation was legalized and taken larations state that no violence and force tem of justice with the superiority of laws into law by courts decisions that sen- can be used to convince somebody to stop was invented that tries to keep every reac- tenced to isolation. In the law it was stat- a hunger strike. The state tried to rescue tion inside the system. But justice is noth- ed that the convict will improve with iso- itself by suspending basic rights, among ing but a tool in the hands of the state to lation. This showed from the beginning them the right to live, to resist, to have a secure its own interests and will be aban- that it was far away from any justice. The fair trial, to defend himself, to communi- doned as soon as it starts to hinder. The one and only reason for imprisonment is cate, the right of freedom of thoughts and isolation treatment is a good example for to deny someone’s freedom for a distinct expression. By legalising isolation in jus- this historic truth. time. It is no treatment to call guilt an ill- tice the state played a historical role in the ness. It is without doubt in favour of the history of justice. Ones again it was convict, to see everyone who thinks dif- taught, that it is not justice that rules a Jan FERMON, Belgian lawyer ferent as ill and to try with all means to state but a state that shapes justice. Con- isolate the convict from his thoughts in stitutions, the internal principles of justice I'm going to make a short intervention. order to rescue him. And to achieve this and agreements between states are shaped There have been heard a lot of interesting all methods, including torture are legiti- according to the interests of the states. interventions already. What in the past mate. (You can see clearly the theory of Isolation politics are an attack not limited was the bourgeoisy practice against high Inquisition.) The gains of isolation were to the prisoners. Isolation politics are a isolation we can see in similar things to- not enough for the regime that hat to cut part of the attacks of imperialism and its day. Those kinds of practises come again the last peaces of justice by hindering the collaborating regimes against the peoples. today. In a certain way fascism is return- communication between prisoners and They reach out to eliminate every dynam- ing to the old regime and its practice, in their lawyers. This was also done by court ic of resistance in order to lengthen their order to protect its economical interests. decisions. So I was accused to have tried lifetime. The general aim is to isolate The methods are quite the same as during to deliver a magazine that anyone can buy every people like in prison, to conquer it feudalism. The European Union has in- on the free market to a prisoner. For the and to exploit it. This means in practice cluded José Mario Sison, the leader of the prison authorities the magazine was the that every terrorist state or state that sup- Philippine Communist Party and a client publication of an illegal organisation and ports terrorism, every terrorist organisa- of mine, to the so-called 'terror list'. He I had helped to establish communication tions that is not in total controlled by im- lives in exile in the Netherlands since between a prisoner and an illegal organi- perialism or cause damage for imperialist 1988. His party is on the black list and sation. For that reason I was for 6 month politics is threatened, revolutionary and now he's the Counsellor of the National not allowed to see my clients Ercan KAR- patriotic countries and organisations are Democratic Front in the Philippines. This TAL, Ali Osman KÖSE ve Hacý DEMÝR isolated (political-economical-military) morning we spoke about this black list, that face extreme hard isolation condi- ore even attacked an occupied. The reason which was created by the United States. tions. The related decision was approved for several organisations and countries to José Mario Sison was not told that he was by 2 other courts and there was no other find themselves announced as terrorists included to this list, but discovered him- judicial way left to alter it. I would like to and punt on black lists invented by US- self. After the French revolution these stress that it would be funny if not so trag- imperialism and later on by EU-imperial- practices were removed. And I'd like to ic, that the magazine that caused the deci- ism is that they are fighting against impe- tell you about that procedure, that some- sion was given to my client by the prison rialist politics. Despite, to fight imperial- one can be in that list. They were not tak-

40 I S O L A T I O N en to any court or given any information our communication. Their concern is to possibility for defense. As for example in about their cases. A part of parliamentary protect their system by separating and iso- the European Union is built an unitary re- members held a secret meeting and made lating people who are against the capital- pressive picture for decades. all these arrangements. ist system. To everybody, who is against In this structural picture, and with the We got an answer to this, when Dutch se- these practices, it is a duty to resist against promulgation of the “black lists of terror- curity forces explained the reason for his it. ism”, in Italy “international finality” has arrest. But before their explanation they been inserted in the crime provided by the told us that we can't get any answer. We article 270 bis of the penal code, that al- were always very keen to find out what “Promoter Committee” for the ready punished the “subversive associa- condition he was in. The text was written “Campaign Against the Art. 270 tion with terrorism finality.” The crime of in an American English. The most impor- and the Associative Offences” financing and support of these associa- tant part of this letter was censored. And (Comitato Promotore della tions was introduced, to strike the interna- we know that all the allegations against Campagna Nazionale Contro tional solidarity and internationalistic ini- him, that he's one of the Philippine groups l’art. 270 e i Reati Associativi) tiatives. and organisations founder and was a Besides with “Law Pisanu” the crimes of leader of the guerrilla war. That's why he The Italian situation, with multiplying of “enlistment” and “training” in “terrorist was taken into that list. And also we asked the repression, is inserted in an interna- associations with international finality” them to give us the reason for his arrest, tional situation of crisis, in which the cap- are introduced. With these offences, con- but their answer was the same, that there ital uses manifold initiatives to resolve it. templated indeed against immigrants, par- were special security reasons, related to On the external front by attaching sover- ticularly Islamic, in reality the punishabil- international anti-terror laws. So we had- eign countries, on the internal front by ac- ity for terrorism crimes is also enacted for n't the right to get this information and cusing of terrorism movements and strug- anybody, who is not directly accused to still wait for it. Also the Spanish secret gles, and by attacking immigrants, partic- belong to one “terrorist association.” service people got these files. In Spain ularly those Islamic; by anywhere attack- For the first time a definition of “conduct there are people on a list in secret files ing political and war prisoners. with terrorism finality ”is established by and they do not know the reason. In This global war produces destruction, law, borrowed by the European definition, French revolution times we used to have poverty, precariousness, and therefore re- usable to accuse of terrorism, for instance, these rights. But today we're loosing our sistance and struggles; the capital uses the the participants to a not authorized strike rights and the people don't have the right most different practices of isolation, to or to a mobilization against the war. to see their files, everything is secret. eliminate them: In general from the '70 years, the “antiter- All the rights we won after long fights are - International isolation of states not en- rorism” legislation, defined “special”, “of now taken away from us. And in some slaved into imperialistic affairs; the emergency”, has permanently been cases people's bank accounts were frozen. - Isolation of resistance, which develops applied more and more instead. We have If you look at the bank statements, what against every occupation; passed “terrorism emergency” to the we saw is, the only money that was trans- - Isolation of struggles against the war, as “drugs emergency”, “mafia” “hooligans”, ferred to his account were social funds. It well as of social and politic struggles in “strikes”, immigrated”, up to “ interna- was such a meaningless allegation to say the West tional terrorism emergency”. Every time that this account was used for support of - Isolation of immigrated work forces with specific provisions, that have be- terrorism. At this moment he cannot have from the autochtonous class; come subsequently integral part of the pe- national insurance, medical insurance or - Isolation of political and war prisoners nal code. even his car insured. Civil services are from the context who produces them. The legislation is continually remod- prohibited for him. He can't leave the elized; behaviours that up to yesterday house he lives in. They are putting a rev- While actions of resistance, as in the Mid- were legal, become illegal by changing a olutionary in a position, isolating him dle East, hold open a real perspective of law. from life, from business life. And they imperialism’s defeat, movements and The tendency is that first of all they iden- also announce him in the media as a ter- struggles, which are generated against tify whom they want to criminalize, and rorist. This was called a civilian death in this global war, are growing and tending then they invent the crime, as a custom the past. We can probably call it the same. to heal themselves, recognizing a com- suit. Those who are strucked by repres- It means to put someone instead of giving mon enemy and potentially producing sion, is denounced as a terrorist in com- him or her a capital punishment, to put class conscience and revolutionary per- pliance with a special mass media cam- him or her into a position in which even spective. paign, and it is attempted to isolate them, daily life is worse than death. The only Against all these struggles, the structural even from their circle of struggle. democratic rights were established in practice of preventive counter-revolution, The threat is clear: whoever will conduct those years, the bourgeoisie was leading today covered with so-called “war to ter- his struggle, or whoever will express sol- revolutionary in Europe. Now, just in the rorism”, is used from all imperialists idarity, he will be, in return, considered as name of the war against terror they them- states, that they are governed by the right, a terrorist. Close to this terrorist use of the selves cancel them all. This is bringing or by a self-styled “left.” legislation, we recently saw the applica- people in a total difficult situation by iso- We resist against globalization after the tion to some political prisoners of the lation from social life. It hasn't got any re- concept of terrorism and against the “41bis” article, regime of hard isolation lation with fight against terrorism. persecution of whoever is defined as "ter- predisposed for the “mafiosi”, and now This just aims to break our solidarity and rorist", without any formal trial and any used against revolutionary prisoners. Al-

41 I S O L A T I O N together therefore, close to a more and tive to give continuity to this job, we glasses and talk through a telephone sys- more scientific isolation of political pris- think it is o great use to try to put it to an tem. 50% of the prisoners had expressed oners, and to a dripping of heavy admin- international level. that they suffer tortures. Even the state istrative provisions against the activists, To succeed, in situations like this, to cre- lawyers said that they suffered from there is a more and more ample use of the ate a debate among these present realities, threats by the personal of the penitentiary. associative offences against those who that contributes to a common vision on I work as a lawyer in my country and I struggle. Thousand of repressive the repression’s action and, above all, on have to tell the truth. This is happening, episodes, often unknown, as a whole the activity that we are able to oppose. but they don't do nothing. Tumberos clearly show the transversal and structur- To succeed in giving life to a net of con- means, those who live in the tumbs. The al character of the preventive counter-rev- nections, that can guarantee a more punc- jail I'm talking of exists since four years. olution. They clearly show that the thesis tual and precise information and knowl- The jail is four metres under surface. To- of “few terrorists” who threaten “democ- edge on the matter. day I'm gonna make a promise to you. I'm rats movements” is false. Beginning from To succeed in building all of this would going to fight to put an end to this jail in these considerations, with the job of our mean to equip us with necessary tools to my country and I hope I'll meet you again Committee, we want to make clear that overcome the objectives pursued by the and be able to say that finally the "Unidad the preventive counter-revolution, a fun- imperialist bourgeoisie with the repres- 29" is finished like the Penitiary of damental tool of State’s action against the sion. Usuyalla". Because the only fight you class struggle, can strike anywhere; that loose is the fight you give up. its true objective is the elimination of every form of struggle; the elimination of Adrian Daniel ALBOR, the isolated from the context from which law professor of Argentinia Irene CLAUSEN, he originates. And we want to clarify that International Forum, Denmark the class solidarity, is a defense weapon I will speak in English, so maybe it will that protects all, independently from po- be easier. I came from Argentina, from the Freedom struggle is not terrorism litical or organisational choices. organisation "Federacion de la Terra y After the breakdown of the Soviet Union Therefore, concrete objective of our com- Vivienda" (Federation of the Land and the and the end of the socalled Cold War, mittee is to frustrate the principal purpose Homes), the organisation of the poor. Bush senior declared “now communism is of investigations, searches, arrests; to de- Those who are always the victims of this dead, and the best of all systems, capital- termine the solidarity growing where the penitentiary system of isolation. At the ism - had triumphed”. This gave - howev- state would like to impose the distrust, the end of the 19th Century, the first half of er - capitalism/imperialism a problem: isolation, the fragmentation. the 20th Century, there was a jail in my They needed an enemy! If the socialists We have bet that this is possible, through country, which is called the "Jail at the did no longer exist, how could imperial- construction of a practice and a collective end of the world" or "El Penal de Usuyal- ism then legitimate the huge arms produc- defense to answer to these laws; through la". The weather conditions were so ex- tion, how could they legitimate the attacks the recognization of a common behaviour treme that the government decided to re- and wars they carried out in their struggle in front of a repressive action which needs move it near to a city recently founded. for world hegemony? September 11 - al- individual and not political answers to During that ving approximately 55 pris- though a terrible human disaster - was po- reach its objective. Towards these objec- oners intend to run away. Almost all died litically a gift from heaven for imperial- tives, and also because activists and com- or were recapturated and moved to ism! This gave Imperialism a new enemy, mittees more and more are subjected to Buenos Aires, the Capitol of my country, a diffuse enemy, the terrorists! Now impe- repression, we have found a fertile field, to be submitted to a trial, ecause two rialism could declare war on terror, and by building a flexible and reproducible guards were killed. With that opportunity they themselves could at any time define job, that every single comrade can man- the Argentine society was able to know anybody as a terrorist! US and EU in 2002 age according to specific demands, even what happened in that jail. The prisoners elaborated terrorlists where they placed without formal adhesions. The Campain had to hunt rats, wolfs and dogs to eat. first and foremost - the strongest anti-im- job is mainly addressed against article That's only an introduction, not what I perialist movements of the world, such as 270 (and following), the mostly used of- came to talk about. I want just to mention FARC in Colombia, CPP and New Peo- fence against activists of the left. In these a man, a fighter called Roberto Petinato, ple’s Army in Philippines, DHKP-C and months, besides various initiatives of in- who put an end to this "jail at the end of PKK in Turkey, PFLP in Palestine, ETA formation and solidarity with activists the world - Usuyalla". I came to talk and others, Basque groups, etc. US and struck from repression and with political about one prison unit that is active today EU - hypocritically -also placed a number prisoners, we have produced information in Argentine. It is called "Unit 29". This of political Islamic groups on the ter- materials; and we have published a polit- unit was built four meters under the sur- rorlists; groups which they had themselves ical-legal self-defence handbook, that, face. There are 240 prisoners, who live 23 -years before - helped into existence - such close to an analysis of laws and examin- hours a day of total isolation. Only one as Hamas in Palestine, Bin Laden and oth- ing organs, also furnishes indications of hour they can go to the surface and feel er political Islamic groups, under the mot- behaviour for the ones who suffers the re- the sun in their faces. They have to carry to: Religion - in stead of revolution, the pressive initiative. The Campaign balance uniforms and their contact with reality is so-called green belt doctrine. is till now certainly positive, while the sit- forbidden. They aren't allowed to read The attacks on freedom rights - as part of uations that require material and organise newspapers, listen radio or watch TV. The the war on terror The EU has copied the initiatives are increasing. In the perspec- visitors have to see them from behind War on terror of the US. Through „anti-

42 I S O L A T I O N terror“ legislation, European states, here- Rebellion international letter on their swered with resistance. Until the revolu- under Denmark - have attempted to curb homepage - hereunder International Fo- tion in Cuba, people of the country fought the freedom of expression and the politi- rum. We have just received letters from for Marxism-Leninism. And the result of cal rights of their citizens, including their the police - asking us to remove the letter, the United Stateds was the blockade. But right to extend moral and material support otherwise we shall be called for a trial. since now the Cuban people always to resistance and liberation movements. The Danish state prosecutor is preparing showed behaviour and its resistance is They have given intelligence services and the trial against Rebellion and its growing. The leaders of the United States police extended instruments of investiga- spokesman, a trial which shall decide justify their law saying that they are fight- tion, for instance the right to control your whether - or not - PFLP and FARC are ing against so-called terrorists. The five internet, your mobile telephone, etc. terrorist organisations. The police is now Cuban heroes, who defended their coun- A development toward a society of Big seeking international experts as witnesses try, are now in US-jail. In Venezuela the brother watching you. It is a very dan- - one is Dr. Paul Wilkinson from St An- USA did everything possible to fight the gerus development, it creates in our or- drews University, United Kingdom. He is Bolivarian revolution, a marvelous hope ganisations and networks - an atmosphere a so-called "terrorist" expert!! And Rebel- to the Venezuelan people to fight against of fear and self-censure, we don’t know lion on its side is looking for witnesses . capitalism. In France, following anti-so- for sure what is legal and what is illegal, It will be fantastic if the Danish court will cial politics, fight against social security, the antiterrorlaw risks to change and conclude that the 2 organisations are not public services, fighting against migrant weaken our political activities and the terrorists, it might have a very big politi- workers, etc., the government now wants anti-imperialist struggle -which is exact- cal impact (and we guess that is why the to fight the right to strike. Young migrants ly what imperialism is wanting! Danish authorities have hesitated for so are arrested. The government used to fight The Danish association “Rebellion” - long) - but there is hardly reason for such against many social movements, and in (Oproer in Danish) optimism! Columbia, in Palestine, in Turkey, all of The Danish association OPRØR - Rebel- We must fight the terrorlists and the “anti- those movements are very concerned, be- lion -was established in 2003, consisting terror“ legisation. The war on terror cause of the repression against them, like of individual members. For the moment it threatens us all - we must defend the rests the black list, torture, isolation. Capitalism has 5-600 members. Last year, “Rebel- of freedom of expression, human rights is creating poverty, misery, for the profit lion” - officially, and in direct conflict and the freedom of orgnization. We must of a little number of persons. And this in- with Danish antiterror-legislation - trans- fight for the removal of all the groups human system is now growing all over the ferred substantial funds to PFLP (the pop- from the terrorlists of US and EU. Not world and we have to organise ourselves. ular front for the liberation of Palestine) - only PFLP and FARC, but all organisa- And history shows us that we have to fight and to FARC - (the Revolutionary Armed tions and individuals from the terrorlists. in a Marxist-Leninist way. Hasta la Victo- Forces of Colombia) (700 euro to each or- Also those, which we don’t agree with. ria Siempre! ganisation) under the criteria that FPLP This symposium in Paris in December and FARC are 2 organisations rather well- 2005 must discuss how we can together known in Denmark and both are in strug- fight the EU-terrorlists/blacklists - and gle for secular, democratic and humani- the “anti-terror“ laws. We must take com- tarian goals. mon action -for instance organising a Eu- The Danish police came under heavy ropean conference on the theme “Freedon pressure from the Colombian government struggle is not terrorism” - or arrange a for arresting the Rebellion spokespersons. huge common demonstration in Brussels But the Danish police hesitated for long in front of the EU-building. Don’t let us time. But a few months ago, the spokes say good bye to each other before having person of Rebellion, Patric Mac Mauns made some binding decision on this Alex MOUMBARIS, was arrested and interrogated, he and theme. Freedom struggle is not terrorism Bureau d'Information Presse Opror - Rebellion - are accused for col- - Fight imperialism Long live the interna- lecting money for the blacklisted FARC tional solidarity! Hello to all friends from France, all over and the PFLP. This spring, Rebellion sent Europe and the world who came here out an international letter to more than these days. Since many years we support 100 European organisation -maybe your Alexis LACROIX, the political prisoners in Turkey, not only organisation received it - inviting them to Pôle de Renaissance them, but for the moment they are the follow the model of Rebellion i.e. to ex- Communiste en France most suffering today. They fight against press solidarity with organisations on the imperialism, a system, which we fought EU- terrorlists and send them money. When the governments raped the right of for many years. And there are many other (We have copies of this letter with us). the people the people have the right to re- prisoners in all over the world. And they The police ordered Rebellion to remove volt against oppression. In Iraq, the US- can do nothing, because they are in the this letter from Rebellion’s webside government, which was established, has hands of the enemy. For my part what I do which Rebellion of course refused. Then the only goal to export the petrol of the here in France, I publish a newspaper, the webside was removed by the police. country. The Iraqi resistance is not only le- which informs you about the struggle all Which was a severe attack on the freedom gitimate but it is something indispensable. over the world. It's a kind of tool in order of expression of Rebellion. Burt 10 other The United States wanted to make Iraqi to organise and to struggle. Here in Danish organisations had already put the people slaves, but the Iraqi people an- France we have many political prisoners.

43 I S O L A T I O N

There are about 12 political prisoners broader prevalence of cruel and inhuman tion on Security and Cooperation in Eu- from the PCE(r) (Communist Party of punishment, which in so many of our so- rope. It also continues to support the rele- Spain (re-constituated)). They are ac- cieties disproportionately affects the most vant international and regional mecha- cused by the Spanish state, although they vulnerable people: the imprisoned, the nisms. haven't done anything here in France. I politically powerless and the economical- 3. The trade unions want to mention Georges Ibrahim Abdal- ly deprived. Instead, we must respond to The trade unions at all levels (Internation- lah and as well Carlos, who is a fighter of this evil wherever we find it by reaffirm- al, European and National) in their every the PLFP and in jail since the beginning ing humanity’s most basic values. day activity struggle for the respect of hu- of the eighties. man rights and against any violation that Thanks for listening. 2. The European Union (E.U.) could occur to them, focusing and com- Respect for human rights is one of the key bining this action with the protection of priorities of the EU's external relations; it the labour rights. The Centre of Athens G. Alevizakis, EKA (The Centre features in particular among the main ob- Labour Unions (EKA) with many occa- of Athens Labor Unions) jectives of the Common Foreign and Se- sions has expressed its support to the Kur- curity Policy (CFSP). Combating torture dish people and haw condemned the vio- The need for combating the violation of and other cruel, inhuman or degrading lation of its rights. We consider that the human rights punishment or treatment forms a neces- cruel and inhuman treatment of prisoners sary part of this work, despite the exis- and their inhuman isolation in the Turkish 1. The international framework tence of numerous international instru- prisons is an unacceptable torture that has In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Hu- ments which prohibit this type of serious to stop immediately. man Rights, noted that “recognition of the violation of human dignity. The actions of equal and inalienable rights of all mem- the EU, strongly supported by all the bers of the human family is the founda- Member States, aim to prevent and elimi- Kostas Sbonias, Member of the tion of freedom, justice and peace in re- nate torture and ill-treatment and to com- Executive Board of OLME Mem- sulting from the common efforts and aspi- bat the impunity of those responsible. ber of the Pan workers Fighting rations of various cultures and civiliza- This work is in addition to combating the Front (P.A.M.E) tions, provide the legal and ethical basis death penalty. for the consolidation of a global civil so- The work of the EU includes active sup- ON THE “PROGRAM OF THE ciety confronted by such challenges as port for the reinforcement and implemen- HAGUE” Dear friends and comrades, poverty, pandemics, terrorism, discrimi- tation of international instruments and for In 2004 the European Council in Brussels nation and gender inequality”. the work of the establishments concerned. took, amongst others, important decisions Fifty-seven years after the Universal Dec- Activities within the CFSP are also in- concerning the democratic rights of the laration of Human Rights prohibited all cluded, such as the EU Code of Conduct Greek people as well as the rights of all forms of torture and cruel, inhuman or de- on Arms Export. The EU's objective is to member-states of the EU. grading treatment or punishment, torture ensure that third countries take effective The Council has adopted a five-year pro- remains unacceptably common. Recent measures against torture and ill-treatment gram called “The Program of the Hague”. times have witnessed an especially dis- and respect their obligations. In order to This program aims at promoting in a turbing trend of countries claiming excep- ensure the promotion of international law, fastest and more efficient way the meas- tions to the prohibition on torture based it implements the following measures: ures taken since 1999 and following the on their own national security percep- · establishing political dialogue that in- decisions framework of the Council in tions. cludes discussions with third countries Tampere and the framework of antiterror- The prohibition on torture is well estab- and regional organisations. ist action. As it is precisely mentioned, lished under international law. It is also · inviting third countries to undertake “This program reflects the ambitions in- unambiguous and absolute. It is binding measures to combat torture and ill- cluded in the Treaty for the enactment of on all States in all territories under their treatment, through confidential or pub- the European Constitution and con- jurisdiction or effective control. It applies lic procedures. The EU will request ad- tributes to the preparation of the Union in all circumstances, in times of war as in ditional information if there are any hu- for its enactment”. The deeply antidemo- times of peace. Nor is torture permissible man rights violations; cratic and antipopular character of the when it is called something else: cruel and · promoting collaboration with civil soci- Program of The Hague is once more con- inhuman treatment is unacceptable and il- ety in bilateral and multilateral coopera- firmed in this reference to the plan of the legal, irrespective of the name we give it. tion, in particular within the framework Constitutional Treaty. It should be noted The international community must speak of the European Initiative for Democra- that the draft of the European Constitution forcefully, and with one voice, against cy and Human Rights ( EIDHR is strengthening the doctrine of the pre- torture in all its forms. Together, we must ventive war in article 41, while in article give voice, and redress, to abused de- The EIDHR supports the NGOs in com- 43 it foresees the possibility of intrusion tainees as well as to all victims and sur- bating torture and rehabilitating victims of the euro army in the member states, un- vivors of torture. Humanity faces grave of torture. der the excuse that they are confronting a challenges today. The threat of terror is Furthermore, the European Union contin- “terror threat” or that they are defending real and immediate. Yet fear of terrorists ues to raise these issues with multilateral democracy, while at the same time they can never justify adopting their methods. organisations such as the United Nations, are attacking all democratic and social Nor can we be complacent about the the Council of Europe and the Organisa- rights. The basic aim of the Program of

44 I S O L A T I O N

The Hague is better coordination in the Greek government and officials of the of the Commission’s Directive on the sur- fields of security and antiterrorist policy. American State Department, there was a veillance of the telecommunication sys- As it is mentioned, “the main concern in paragraph which, although it was “cut” tems, also foresee the surveillance and he the near future will be prevention and re- from the official documents, was distrib- transcription of all telephone calls. Inter- pression of terrorism”. The EU will be in uted to all the European capitals. net access and the storing of all relevant control of the application of the program This paragraph, as it was published in the elements for 6 months or as long as judged with a detailed yearly report and a ‘table Australian newspaper, describes in diplo- necessary for the access of the prosecution of results” and will present an action plan, matic language the exact frame of this co- officers of the EU and of third cooperating in which the aims and the priorities of this operation between the EU and the USA countries, like the USA. program will be transformed into concrete on the hunting and the transfer of sus- This Directive is one more step towards action”. It is reminded that the EU is in- pects, hostages, kidnapped people, people the antidemocratic invasion to what haw cluding in the lists of the terrorist organi- that “have disappeared” and are being tor- already been gained from the people. It is zations different movements and organi- tured through the European airports. one step forward the decline of the pre- zations fighting for their national and so- The Americans and the Europeans seem to sumption of innocence through the cial freedom (see the Kurdish Labor Par- have agreed since January 2003 for the Agreements of Sengen and Europol, the ty, the Popular Front for the Freedom of Europeans to allow to the CIA and the “antiterrorism” laws, the “Euroterrolaw” Palestine, the Revolutionary People's Lib- American services to use all transport fa- and the introduction of the meaning of eration Party-Front of Turkey [DHKP-C] cilities on European grounds for the trans- suspect they imply. Everybody is in a etc.) and that the decision taken in De- port of all “criminals” (written on the USA sense suspects and everybody’s call are cember 2001 (adopted in our country also list). It is an agreement that has been kept going to be transcribed. The fight against with the euroterror law and the European as secret for 2 and a half years since the “terrorism” and “public security” are just warrant for arrest) is considering as ac- time that the relevant paragraph was cut. the excuse. These regulations are in direct tions of terrorism even the actions of the Relevant articles in the “Sunday Tele- contrast with the Greek Constitution and mass movement (e.g. the symbolic take- graph” seem to have been given to public- the European Treaty on Human Rights. over of public buildings, the strike in ity by the Americans themselves, as this is What is the most important: it is anticipat- fields of public interest etc.), which desta- an answer to the European evasions and, ed that “the Council should decide by the bilize the dominating social, economical at the same time, a reminder to the USA end of 2005 on a long-term policy of deal- and political status. Moreover, the lead- that they are also participating in the war ing with the factors that contribute to the ers of the EU repeatedly characterized the against terrorism. radicalism and the recruitment aiming at fight for freedom of the people of Iraq and The evidence is here, it is merciless and actions of terrorism”. This is the point Palestine in this same decision of the re- overwhelming! where mass movements are brought into cent Congress. During the period of the Today, the European partners are pretend- foresight. Greek presidentship of the EU, the Amer- ing that they didn’t know, didn’t hear, did- It is obvious that the EU, with the agree- icans and the Europeans have agreed that n’t understand anything. ment of the Greek government is making in order to “cope with terrorism”, the They appear to be angry on the violation one step further into strengthening all re- flights of the aircrafts of the American se- of human rights by the Americans. This pression mechanisms, always under the cret services will be allowed for the trans- kind of innerimperealistic conflicts can- excuse of fighting terrorism and organ- port of suspects and the use of European not hide reality: ized crime. It is certain that the EU lead- airport facilities. They have also agreed The USA and the EU are in complete co- ers are anticipating an enlargement of on the strengthening of their cooperation operation in an operation which, under mass fights in the years to come, which and on the training of the people involved the excuse of fighting terrorism, aims at will be the result of the antipopular poli- in this action. freezing the people and their movements tics and the military fortune-hunting. This is supported by the popular Aus- against monopoly, imperialism and the Coming face to face with such an attack, tralian newspaper “The Age”. According power of the capital. silence is not justified. By nobody. to the article, the agreement between the They have agreed to sign contracts with USA and the EU, that “legalizes” the the USA, which Washington is using The popular movement should resist us- flights of the American air-prisons all transferring suspects to small secret uan- ing the socio-political fight in order to over Europe and the use of the European tanamos on European grounds. change this reality. airports from the prison-aircrafts of the The European Unions partners have sup- What we should do is to continue our ef- CIA, was signed in Athens on the 22nd ported the American invasion in forts and strengthen our fight, in close January 2003 during a congress on justice Afghanistan and Iraq and are participating cooperation with all states, so as to inform and internal affairs, where the new Euro in them. The USA and the EU are togeth- our people, to break the silence and the Atlantic agenda for cooperation on these er in a war serving the imperialist objec- misinformation and to raise a massive, issues was established and adopted. In tives of the two capitals, with their special democratic barrier of resistance, a gigan- this agreement, the terms for the coopera- geopolitical claims and the exercising of tic NO to the European Constitution, to tion between the EU and the USA, con- innerimperialistic rivalries. Of course, the the euroterror law and to all antidemocra- cerning the war against terrorism and USA, as the leading power in the imperi- tic mechanisms. The people of France and drug trafficking, are described in detail. alistic pyramid, take the leading action. Netherlands have led the way. According to the article in “The Age”, in The recent decisions of the Ministers of Public resistance to the imperialistic plans the above mentioned agreement, signed Internal Affairs, Justice and Public Affairs and solidarity to the fighting people during the Greek presidentship from the of the EU that have approved the proposal around the world is our common duty.

45 I S O L A T I O N PRISONER'S MESSAGES

Irish Republican Prisoners, have protested at the treatment of workers larly refuses to allow them in for a variety Maghaberry, N. Ireland by big business and multi national capital- of invented reasons. Prisoner support ist interests and this must be applauded groups must unite across national bound- Friends, Comrades, Fellow Revolutionar- however the trade union movement as re- aries and continue collectively to put ies, fused to support the Irish Republican de- pressure on the regimes that are holding We the republican prisoners in Ireland mand of an end to British occupation im- us as political hostages and must put pres- and England take this opportunity to ex- mediately and has for the most part sup- sure on these regimes through any and all tend solidarity greetings to you all and ported the Good Friday Agreement which available channels such as the United Na- would especially like to thank the organ- we as republicans see as Britain’s method tions and the European Court of Human isers for giving us the privilege of ad- of remaining in Ireland indefinitely. Rights. dressing this conference. The issue of im- Again it is ironic that some trade unionists This conference is a progressive, interna- perialism and resistance to it must be seen have described attacks on British troops tional conference which aims at tackling for what it is, a global problem. We as and their colonial police in Ireland as at- some of the issues about which we have Irish Republican prisoners of war are im- tacks on workers yet many would view spoken. International solidarity and con- prisoned for our resistance to imperialist British oops in Iraq as occupation troops. tinuous information and education re- aggression and for asserting the right that The treatment of prisoners has been very garding each others struggles in essential Ireland be free to determine its own future much to the forefront of this symposium if we are to progress and triumph. Nation- without outside interference. The plight in the past and it is in support of prisoners ally as we have earlier mentioned proof republican prisoners of war is no dif- and their rights which your work has been gressive forces must align themselves ferent than that of captured Basque revo- of great comfort to us, the republican with the national liberation movement in lutionaries dispersed throughout France OW’s. The treatment of Muslim prisoners an effort to combat imperialist aggression and Spain or Palestinian fighters held by in lmarsh in England, the Basque prison- insall its forms. Also we must agree on a their Israeli enemies. The fight in which ers scattered across France and Spain and common definition of what imperialism we are engaged differs only in that it is the thousands of political prisoners held actually is. For instance why is it right to not on the scale with that of Chechen re- without trial by the American military support the Iraqi right to sovereignty yet sistance to Russian occupation. As can be and the CIA must be highlighted and re- not extend this support to Ireland, Pales- clearly seen struggle against imperialism sisted on an international level. Here in tine or the Basque country. Why do Irish must be international because imperial- Ireland we have suffered at the hands of liberals and left wingers believe that the ism and globalisation are international two reactionary and hostile prison admin- Americans landing warplanes in Shannon phenomenon’s. To the forefront of any istrations intent of getting revenge for our airport impinges on Irish sovereignty but anti imperialist struggle within a nation refusal to recognise either of the two remain quiet about British helicopters in must be the national liberation movement. states which they serve as legitimate. Our Crossmaglen and the over 10000 British In Ireland today there is developing a comrades imprisoned in England have troops on a war footing on Irish soil. A strong anti imperialist and anti ar move- also been subjected to harsh treatment and national and international coalition of the ment which has at its roots an aversion to a policy of isolation that has seen them willing must be established to take on im- the USA using neutral Ireland as a base to moved around different prisons at a mo- perialism in Ireland and Iraq, Palestine launch its warplanes in an illegal war on ments notice and without notifying their and Chechnya as well as the Basque Iraq. Quite correctly this anti imperialist representatives or families. In Maghaber- country and Brittany. There are too many lobby has identified American use of Irish ry prison in the north of Ireland the examples of those nations affected by oc- resources as an infringement on Irish sov- British authorities have since the signing cupation or colonial practices to mention ereignty. It is ironic however that many of of the Good Friday Agreement embarked here but the fight for justice must ncom- those who have demonstrated against US- on a policy of criminalization. The polit- pass them all. In solidarity with this con- infringements on Irish and Iraqi sover- ical status that Bobby Sands and his com- ference and with all political prisoners eignty do not resist the illegal British rades fought and died for was signed world wide we are embarking on a three claim to sovereignty in the north east of away by former comrades at the behest of day fast from the 16-19th December and Ireland. British authorities. Although we won seg- again wish to thank the organizers of this Indeed many of those politicians who regation from criminals and pro British event for allowing our voice to be heard. consider themselves anti imperialist and loyalist paramilitaries in 2003 through a Unity is strength, TIOCFAIDH AR LA. left wing have through the Good Friday summer of protest that included destroy- Agreement supported the maintenance of ing cells and a no wash/dirty protest, we the British imperialist and colonialist oc- have yet to regain full political status and cupation of Ireland. The trade union as a consequence are forced to ndure an Rainer Dittrich, movement in Ireland has also witnessed extremely restrictive regime. Lübeck, Germany somewhat of a resurgence through its op- Access to washing, educational and ecre- position to the illegal ‘war on terror’ and ation facilities is restricted and we are Message to the Symposium against War the widespread suspension of civil liber- confined to our cells for 23 hour periods. and Occupation Dear comrades, dear parties and human rights that have went with Visiting relatives are also faced with a ticipants In the name of Rainer Dittrich, it. Recently across Ireland large crowds hostile prison administration which regu- who isn't able anymore for health reasons

46 I S O L A T I O N to write himself, but always in struggle tially slave-labor conditions, is one of the nial. Escalation in torture use by Ameri- with his spirit, we want to greet every- fastest expanding industries in the coun- can military and clandestine operatives body thre in Paris. We are with the fallen try. This exploitation is a massive human has encountered global condemnation comrades and with those who continue rights disgrace. The U.S. Criminal justice with a concomitant rise in reputation for with their struggle with our hearts. We sstem, with its war on drugs that preys on dishonor. Hope lies in cooperation among want to speak out the wish, that there will nonviolent rule breakers, feeds the hungry the politically conscious worldwide to be much more, who take their struggle for maw of this malevolent moneymaker. work with our sisters and brothers, build- a world wihtout war, occupation, isolation I’m incarcerated in the state of California. ing class solidarity in order to develop al- and torture. California cultivates the growth of pris- ternative organizations and methods of ons. It has the largest prison population communications. Street “heat” is a tactic of all fifty states. It has a 70% recidivism that multitudes can employ to make pub- rate within 18 months of release, an indi- lic our opinions, to demonstrate resistance cation of a monumental failure of man- in action. The continuing degradation of agement. A friend of mine recently par- our planet’s ecology is forcing an acceler- ticipated in a meeting with California ated schedule on all our work. Because of State Senator Jackie Speier, to discuss this, total change, like the abolition of various ncarceration-related issue. She prisons in the United States, may be the emerged from that meeting convinced targeted bull’s-eye on which we must set that there is no moral imperative among our sights. Californians to reform their state prison system. The onl imperative of importance Adress: revolves around the economic impact im- Sara Jane Olson prisonment practices impose. The state’s 506-10-04Low “corrections” system now swallows $7.3 C.C.W.F. - P.O. Box 1508 billion per year or 6.5% of the total state Chowchilla, CA 93610-1508 budget. At this point, if Californians are USA forced to confront the physical and psy- Sara Jane Olson, California, USA chological horrors of their state’s dun- geons, they’d use the old post- World War "Cuban Five", USA By invitation extended through the New II excuse employed by German citizens York chapter of Jericho, the organization upon revelation of the Nazi concentration Dear friends for political prisoners in the U.S. There is camps, “We didn’t know”. Politicians As these words are being written, a new no future for reform of America’s prison- and monopolized media have joined scheme by the imperialist media is taking industrial complex. It must be abolished. forces over the past fifteen years, for elec- shape: After almost three years of occupy- While in prison in the United States, a toral and monetary gain, to tutor a ing, ruling and profaning every inch of person is, for all intents and purposes, gullible, television-hypnotized public into Iraqi soil, the "civilized" American sol- three-fifths of a human being. Imprison- fearing criminals. In America criminals diers have "discovered" a torturing instal- ment is a policy of social, economic and and/or prisoners are portrayed as name- lation purportedly run by the new, US in- political control over a particular race, less pod people, seeking to find esting stalled government. History, once again, class and/or resistance ideology. Prison- places in the bodies of good, god-fearing will be rewritten. The torturer's masters ers are given inhumanely punitive sen- American citizens. Watch out, every- will appear now as if "liberating" the vic- tencing and parole policies, consigned to body! tims from their suffering. Americans will lives spent either in-and-out of prison or The U.S. policy of criminalizing the poor again be bombarded with another story, wholly inside until death relieves the cy- and people of color for labor exploitation according to which, they went overseas to cle of societal punishment and retribution. within the country’s slave labor institu- fight for some vague, sacred values, only If one is a convicted felon, restoration of tions is like imperialism returning home. to be disappointed by some barbaric peo- one’s civil rights upon release is a doubt- Why wouldn’t the U.S. invade Iraq with- ple, so stubborn and unwilling to learn ful proposition. “Felon” becomes a visi- out justification when it incarcerates about freedom and democracy. Turkish ble brand that can never be erased in the whole communities within its borders to political prisoners may know of it better eyes of an American. The prison popula- justify a phony war on drugs and expand than anyone. After all, it took twenty tion in the United States continues to the profits of exploitative corporations? years for the world to notice the gassing grow. It has now reached the grand sum These policies emerge from a “pris- of the Kurdish people, just aong the Turk- of 2.3 million people incarcerated in onized” culture that envelopes the entire ish border, only after it became a matter America’s hellholes. The U.S. imprisons American population. As political prison- of convenience for those who, at the time, more of its people than any country in his- ers in Turkey are aware, America’s soul- were willing partners to their now vilified tory. Crime, particularly violent crime, is destroying, isolation-type prisons are ex- enemy. In this world of scientifically de- at a thirty-year low, yet the prison popula- ported to other countries. In Turkey, signed lying and corporate sponsored de- tion increases at obscene rates. The they’ve met with determined opposition. ception, it might take years before the prison-industrial complex, the confluence The U.S. sanctions torture publicly under truth around Turkish F-Type prisons of choked prisoner rolls and big business the Bush dministration where before it comes to light. That underscores the need exploitation of those prisoners in essen- was done via policies of secrecy and de- to press on the fight and solidarity to-

47 I S O L A T I O N wards our Turkish heroic brothers and sisters, whose anonymous martydom is last- NEWSFLASH ing a day too much with every day that passes by. From five cells in the entrails F-type prisons Turkey was admitted to Soria prison on Friday; of the empire, where we are being pun- despite suffering from depression, he was ished for the crime of fighting US' spon- Mr. Behic Asci, lawyer of the People's not seen by the doctor there. Jose Anjel sored terrorrism against Cuba, we want to Law Bureau in Turkey, has started a death Altzuguren, a citizen of Bera (Navarre), spend our message of gratitude, encour- fast against prison isolation on 5th April was unexpectedly arrested by the Spanish agement and appreciation to the partici- 2006, at the International Day of Civil Guard nine days ago to serve his pants in this syposium. Lawyers. prison sentence in full. He was admitted to We also want to send our embrace and the He's a lawyer for more than 10 years, de- the prison of Iruñea (Pamplona) and sub- testimony of our administration to the fending political and human rights cases, sequently transferred to Zaragoza and fi- courageous Turkish political prisoners, and especially political prisoners who are nally to Soria, where he arrived on Friday. and the promise that we'll fight to our last facing isolation. Behic Asci is a founding He had a visit from his brother at the breath, until the conditions that create member of the 'Progressive Lawyers As- weekend. Jose Anjel had asked him for their suffering and the greedy interests sociation' CHD, which counts over 2000 money to buy a television. He also told his that sustain them are buried, in the same members in 14 departments. brother that another prisoner had lent him hole, once and for all. Behic Asci’s statement, April 4th, 2006: some books on that very Friday. Yesterday “...In the prisons of our country, outside, he was found dead. According to the infor- till victory always on each level of life, everybody is con- mation the prison authorities have given Gerardo Hernandez fronted with politics of isolation and cen- his relatives, he was found in his cell Ramon Labanino Salazar sorship of the ruling power. The basic aim hanged by means of bed sheets. In the Antonio Guerrero Rodriguez of the isolation attack are the prisons. The same prison in Soria another inmate was Fernando Gonzales Llort F-type prisons which had been introduced also found dead yesterday morning; a 71- Rene Gonzales Sehwerert by the operation called "Return to Life" on year-old person known by the initials C. E. 19th December 2000, turned out to places T. G. was also found hanged using the wire of most intensive isolation. In the death spiral binding of an exercise book. The Marco Camenisch, Switzerland fast action against the isolation in these prison authorities pointed out that the two prisons, until today 121 human beings lost inmates had been in different wings and Symposium against isolation 2005 in their lives. But the political authorities the deaths were unrelated. The 39-year- Paris didn't put any efforts towards a solution. old prisoner, Altzuguren, was suffering I send revolutionary greetings and all my In contrary, they even intensified the isola- from depression. He was being treated by solidarity to you, who heroically fight tion. The government tried to hide the re- a psychologist and a psychiatrist. He was against isolation, torture and of course reality of 121 deaths by censorship. Obvi- on medication. He was arrested on Octo- pression and F- type prisons. Of course, I ously, more people will continue to die for ber 22 to complete his prison term. He had participate at the hunger strike in memori- this reason. That's why myself, lawyer Be- beenconvicted to five years and eight am of all comrades who have died in the hic Asci, in my responsibility as a human months for aiding and abetting ETA. struggle against the fascist repression of being and revolutionary lawyer, will start The first time he was arrested he com- EU and Turkey. Participating at this the death fast voluntarily, by free will plained that he had been tortured, which hunger strike, we also remind all com- power. My demand is the end of isolation plus his time in prison had affected him, rades who all over the world are fighting politics in the prisons and that the political according to the Askatasuna association. against the ression we have to face. Our authorities start the dialogue with the rep- He had served three and a half years in comrades who have died, have died for us. resentatives of the prisoners and convicts prison. He had been out for barely a year Our love for them is part of the struggle. and that they will come to an agreement." waiting to be informed about a decision They continue to live in our struggle and Only short time after Behic Asci started on an appeal lodged by his lawyer. In- as long isolation, repression and capital- his action in an appartment in Istanbul to- stead of being notified, he was arrested ism are not defeated we can honor their gether with female Fatma Koyupinar, who directly on October 22 together with deaths just by continuing the struggle. was released from prison and continues Imanol Larrañaga and Ainara Fresneda. her death fast resistance outside, the state As a result, he was deprived of the med- prosecutor started investigations against ical attention he had been receiving. Since him lawyer, accusing Mr. Asci of organi- Altzuguren was admitted to prison on Fri- sation propaganda. day, Soria prison warders had been giving him the medication he was prescribed; but he had not been seen by the prison doctor, Basque Country as the family's lawyer, Amaia Izko, stressed. Prison warders found Basque prisoner Jose Anjel ltzuguren Altzuguren's body at 08.00 yesterday found dead in cell He was arrested in Bera morning when they started to count the on October 22 to be taken to complete his prisoners. At about 08.45 the family got a prison term, and having been in the pris- phone call informing them about what Ra Behic Asci seit 5. April 2006 im Todesfasten gegen Isolation ons of Iruñea, Gasteiz and Zaragoza, he had happened. The prisoner's sister went

48 I S O L A T I O N with the family lawyer to collect her The new Belgian anti-terrorist law gives tine) in October of last year, whereas the brother's body. It was taken from his cell in practice the right to the Belgian judges second charge concerns a statement on to the hospital to undergo a post mortem to intervene in foreign conflicts and to Danish Radio/TV on 1 August 2005 by a examination. When the examination had condemn the legitimacy of any liberation spokesperson for ‘Rebellion’, announcing been completed, Altzuguren's relatives movements’ struggle. This new law al- that it was in the process of collecting fur- and lawyer waited for judicial authorisa- lows also punishing the only membership ther funds in support of organisations on tion to remove the body. They were un- which is a break with the classical penal the EU 'terrorist list', and that it had ap- able to obtain all the documents yester- law that only recognizes the personal re- pealed to democratic and solidarity organ- day, so the prisoner's body will be arriv- sponsibility of guilt. isations in the Europen Union to similarly ing in Bera today. It will be leaving Soria The process of the DHKC in Belgium is a challenge national anti-terrorist legisla- at about 12.30. The funeral will be held real threat for all anti-imperialist and pro- tion and the EU 'terrorist list'. tomorrow. The town hall will be used as gressive forces of this country because its The text of the appeal follows below. The the funeral chapel. verdict risks to be used as jurisprudence appeal does not specify which resistance in any other political process. or liberation movements will be support- Freedom for the revolutionary activits at ed, only that such movements should Anti-Terrorlaws and Black lists the Brugges prison. "seek to further secular, democratic, and humanist goals".The maximun sentence Belgium The prison administration keeps the polit- which can be imposed in connection with ical detainees from Turkey under Isola- the above charges is ten years imprison- In Belgium, a new anti-terrorist law is tion. Although a civil court in Brussels ment. The trial may begin towards the end threatening the social movements. decided, that there was no danger or vio- of February 2006.‘Rebellion’s’ interna- The first target of this law have been rev- lence going out from these detainees, the tional appeal, sent in both English and olutionaries from Turkey, accused of links prison administration in Brugge made its Spanish to about 300 European democra- to the DHKP-C (Revolutionary People's own decision and insisted in the isolation cy and solidarity movements, was confis- Liberation Party-Front) The Correctional practises. According to Jan Fermon, one cated from its homepage by order of the Tribunal of Brugges sentenced them with of their lawyers, the prohibition to write Copenhagen City Court on 12 August 4 to 6 years of prison. and receive letters in Turkish (their moth- 2005. This injunction was upheld 14 Oc- 7 alleged members of the movement, in- er language), cell checks every 30 min- tober 2005 by the High Court (Landsret). cluding the general secretary Dursun utes, prohibition of any kind of contact to This is now being appealed by ‘Rebel- Karatas who still lives underground and other prisoners and visits except of close lion’ to the Supreme Court (Hoejesteret) Fehriye Erdal, a young woman, whose ex- family members, are some of the conse- as such a confiscation, in our opinion, in- tradition is asked by Ankara since a cou- quences. At the moment they can only revolves both paragraph 77 of the Danish ple of years for supposed collaboration ceive and send letters in Dutch, French Constitution prohibiting the re-introduc- with an armed action that she refuses any and German language. tion of censorship, and the European De- participation. claration of Human Rights, Article 10, on It is important to stress that the DHKC Ms Sükriye Akar ÖZORDULU freedom of expression. It is as yet uncer- never used violence in Belgium and nev- Mr Kaya SAZ tain whether the Supreme Court will open er had any intention to do that, arguing Mr Musa ASOGLU the case. This will be clarified probably that its only battlefield is Turkey consid- Adress: Penitentiair Complex Brugge within the coming weeks. Immediately ered as a military dictatorship serving the Legeweg 200 following the confiscation of the appeal, US imperialism’ interests. 8200 Brugge ‘Rebellion’ encouraged other Danish or- Despite of the use of democratic and legal Belgium ganisations to publish it on their home- means to make public the human crimes pages, and to contact their own interna- of the regime in Turkey, DHKC is now Informations on the trial in French lan- tional networks. The appeal is now to be pointed as a terrorist organization just be- guage: Comité liberté d'expression et found on approximately 35 national and cause it is mentioned in the US and EU d'association international websites. The Danish police black lists, which normally have no ju- http://perso.wanadoo.fr/clea.be/ authorities have approached a number of ridical consequence. the Danish organisations, including the Among the condemned people, Bahar parliamentary party Red-Green Alliance Kimyongür's example is very characteris- Denmark (Enhedslisten, EL), requesting them to tic for the danger of this new law. He was remove the appeal from their websites, or sentenced to 4 years prison just because Confiscation and criminal charges against face court action. All have refused to do he translated and sent a statement of the Danish association Update from the asso- so. DHKC. With this new law, the Belgian ju- ciation ‘Rebellion’ (Denmark) ‘Rebel- dicial authorities consider that any politi- lion’ has been charged on two counts with Patrick Mac Manus, spokesperson of cal comment of a person whom member- breach of 114 a (2) of the Danish criminal Rebellion (Denmark) ship is proven can be considered as a ter- code by allegedly supporting "groups Telephone 0045 22454178 rorist claiming. having the intent of committing terrorist Thus, the new anti-terrorist law is a dan- acts". ‘Rebellion’ is charged with the The ‘war on terror’ threatens us all - de- ger for all democrats because it ignores transferral of approximately 14000 Euro fend freedom of expression, human rights the freedom of opinion and speech. to FARC (Colombia) and PFLP (Pales- and international solidarity!

49 I S O L A T I O N CONCLUSION

Isolation has now become an effective punishment will pass national borders In this unipolarized world, the USA and penitentiary system in the USA and Eu- and a period of arbitrariness, that doesn’t the EU, completely control international rope. Isolation is a system that is system- respect international law has begun. institutions like UN, NATO, CPT, AGIT, atically used against forces which are in OSCE or the International Criminal opposition to the globalized world. Its PRISONS ARE NOT THE ONLY Courts. They have the power to use any primary aim is to intimidate and destroy ASPECT OF ISOLATION kind of sanctions against a country. The oppositional ideas and politics. Isolation recent war in and the occupation of has now become a humane, medical, ju- Parallel to isolation in prisons, isolation Afghanistan and Iraq, have been realized ridical and political attack against cap- is used against organizations and coun- by isolation. But neither Afghanistan nor tives. tries. Iraq were able to explain what really Isolation prisons have been developed in The terror demagogies, which were de- happens in their countries to the world. Europe and the USA and exported to the veloped together with the Black Lists, try While the world discussed, whether Iraq rest of the world, where oppositional to isolate organisations from the peoples’ has weapons of mass destruction or not, ideas and political alternatives are also struggle and to blackmail them. The Iraq and Afghanistan were bombed, de- tried to be eliminated.A result of these black lists were developed by the USA stroyed and occupied, and hundred thou- isolation politics are F-Type isolation and adopted by the EU. They were in- sands of people were killed. The same prisons in Turkey. tended to manipulate on a long term scale happened in Yugoslavia; in Romanian They were intended to become an exam- the struggle for democratic rights. The town of Timisoara, where faked pictures ple for future isolation prisons in the USA and the EU attempted, especially af- of dead people were shown to the world world. Until now there was no compara- ter September 11th, to restrict the activi- and in Cuba, that couldn't be defeated ble resistance against isolation as the re- ty areas of organizations which resist and despite of Pig's Bay and many other sistance against F-type prisons in fight against fascist and anti-democratic plots. Turkey, where people have fought with regimes.Why are organizations put on the Embargos, wars and occupations have all possible means over such a long peri- black lists by the USA? The only answer become a general applied policy. This od. This resistance constitutes the high- to this question is: "... because they are led to the killing of millions of people est obstacle that the isolation project has against US- interests and politics". and crimes against humanity, that can’t to face at the moment. To support the But there is no answer to the question, be apologized. struggle against F-type prisons in Turkey why being against the interests of the While dozens of war crimes became means to practice a global resistance USA is considered as terrorism. Every- known to the public, institutions as the against isolation politics. body knows, that the USA is a specialist International Criminal Court are used for To stop isolation all over the world, we in the worldwide organization of fascist the purposes of those, who have attacked need to get organized and to coordinate coups, in the collaboration with torturing Vietnam with Napalm and Iraq with en- our struggles. Isolation violates the free- and murdering regimes, in exporting its riched uranium. Those who talk about dom of thoughts and organization. The torture and massacres to the world and in independence and national sovereignty struggle against isolation is a basic part the violation of all kinds of human pull down legitime regimes, kidnap their of the struggle for democracy and funda- rights. It seems that being against the leaders and substitute them with bandits. mental rights and freedoms all over the death squads in Turkey and Columbia, And nobody is allowed to stand up world. against torture and rape, and standing up against it. The numerous participation of interna- against poverty and tyranny, means auto- Those who celebrate the fall of the wall tional organizations and institutions at matically being against the interests of in Berlin, now spread demagogies on the the previous symposiums against isola- the USA. That’s why the USA define as necessity of the wall in Palestine. Arafat, tion, showed clearly the international di- terror all demands for independence and who in the last years of his life also lived mension of the prisons and the isolation freedom and all the struggles for justice in isolation, wasn't able to explain his problem. In the future we don’t need and they put all organizations that organ- matter to the world. It is also doubtful, anymore to focus on the exchange of in- ize such a struggle on the black list. that North Korea and Iran, who are target formation and experiences, but we need today, will be able to explain their mat- to get this struggle organized and coordi- ISOLATION ALSO TARGETS ter. Summing up we can say that: the iso- nated. COUNTRIES lation against prisoners, the black lists Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib show, how against organizations and the war, occu- international the process of political cap- Isolation against countries consists in pation and embargo politics against tivity has become. The message given to war threats, war, occupation and embar- countries are the product of global isola- the world with Guantanamo is: prison gos. tion strategy.

50 I S O L A T I O N