V. INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM AGAINST ISOLATION

Greece / Athens, 15th-18th December 2006

Dear friends,

ladies and gentlemen...

First of all, we want to send our greetings in the name of the International Platform against Isolation and invite you to our next (V.) International Symposium against Isolation, which is going to be held in Greece / Athens from 15th - 18th December 2006.

Some of you have already sent delegates to our IV. Symposium in Paris (16th-19th December 2005), some of you also participated in our previous symposiums in the Netherlands (2002), in Italy (2003) and in Berlin (2004).

Enclosed you'll find a report of our previous symposium, which gives some information on the purposes and question we deal with at our continuous international activity.

There has been published a magazine on the symposium in Paris 2005. It was sent to all political prisoners and POW's who (as far as we have been informed) supported the symposium with a symbolic hunger strike during that days. We also provided the magazine to a large number of participants. If you wish to receive a pdf-version of our publication we could send you by e-mail.

WHAT WILL BE THE MAIN QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS ON OUR COMING SYMPOSIUM:

* The terrible increase of aggression against the people in several countries and regions of the world, especially the military attacks of the Israelian army against the whole Palestinian population, which take place under approval of the USA and almost all other imperialist countries of the European Union, such as the extension of this war by invading the South of Lebanon, killing thousands of civilians and destroying big parts of the region...

* The ongoing occupation and brutality in Iraq and Afghanistan accompanied by a psychological war and detention camps as Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib and several other secret camps spread over Europe and all continents, legitimized through the "fight against terrorism".

* The extension of this war by serious threats against the countries Syria, Iran and finally North-Korea, as well legitimized through the US-war on terror, such as the attempt to find allies within the EU for this politics and to strengthen the ties to existing collaborating regimes...

* The hostile position towards Cuba, Venezuela and other countries, which insist in their independence, which has become especially visible during the recent summit between EU and USA...

* The continous isolation attack in the F-type prisons in Turkey, which are exemplary for the annihilation of any democratic voice and resistance, such as the silent approval and support to this politics by a large number of European Union member states. And in this context the resistance against isolation on all levels, which still continues and has reached a very high level in a campaign, including namable intellectuals, artists and lawyers, especially as a consequency of the death fast of lawyer Behic Asci, who is fasting for more than 200 days already.

* The isolation practises and inacceptable conditions within some prisons in Europe, as for example within the high security prison Maghaberry in Northern Ireland, which have recently led to a common resistance with tens of Irish Rebublican prisoners from different organisations...

* The mass persecutions and political trials against left activists in many countries of Europe, supported by new anti-terror laws and black lists, as for example the persecution and arrest of revolutionaries from Turkey in Belgium as well as of Danish leftists like members of "Oproer", followed by mass trials against left activists in Italy...

The ban of the Czech Communist Youth (KSM) is another example of the reactionary and neoliberal politics in the Eastern Europe, that attempts to ban ideas.

* The ongoing repression against Basque political prisoners and the politics of dispersion, such as the criminalization of large parts of the Basque movement...

* The continuous detention and persecution of anti-imperialist, anarchist and environmental activists in the United States, such as the mass persecutions, legitimized through the racist "Anti-terror" laws in the aftermath of September 11, such as the ongoing detention of numerous Native prisoners, Black Panthers and African American captives, imprisoned for 20 years, and finally the "Cuban 5", who have faced 8 years of illegal detention in September this year, because they attempted to prevent a terrorist attack against their country...

All these serious developments and many others that hadn't yet been mentioned, confirm the necessity to strengthen the cooperation between all democratic and resisting forces in the world and to work on a large Network in order to remove the isolation between our movements, the isolation of political prisoners and of countries, who are faced with threats of war, occupation and embargos for tens of years.

Nevertheless, we think that these are reasons enough to meet once again, better prepared and shorter in our speeches in order to develop a common practice of GLOBAL RESISTANCE which has correctly turned out to a "key word" during the past years.

We decided to organize our next symposium from 15th-18th December, close to the 19th-22nd December, which were announced as International Days of Struggle against Isolation related to the massacre in prisons of Turkey and the resistance of prisoners against the establishment of f-type isolation cells.

Inspite of 122 deaths and although Europe and other parts of the world are aware about this reality they continue to remain silent on this ongoing crime and their governments keep on strengthening their support to the regime in Turkey, while trying to silence progressive forces from Turkey by new Anti-terror laws.

The fact, that Behic Asci, as the first lawyer joining the death fast resistance and Gülcan Görüroglu, mother of two young girls, have become part of this struggle outside, proves another time, that this resistance doesn't know any borders, neither in sacrificial manner nor at the prison gates.

We propose additional workshops and network meetings during the symposium, in order to work out a calendar of activities and to send before or to bring materials explaining about the torture methods, the condition and number of prisoners and the general situation of the countries, in order to keep the speeches limited while the time for practical questions will be extended.

In addition of seminaries we also want to organize another meeting between prisoner's support groups, friends and family associations and experienced lawyers and jurists from different countries, with the purpose to build a bridge between the political and juridical struggle and to establish a functioning network against repression, with special attention to the recent developments in Europe.

In order to reach tangible results at the symposium, we should establish a coordination office in order to circulate urgent informations and to be able to act more flexible.

Overview on participants:

One of the topics of the symposium will be again the politics in US-jails, with different guests from the USA, as for example the Texas Committee for the Abolition of Death Penalty, the Irish Unity Committee and Robert Robideau, the lawyer of the Indian-American prisoner Leonard Peltier.

Also the isolation politics towards Latinamerica, first of all the countries Venezuela and Cuba, who follow an alternative/revolutionary solution, will be on the agenda of the symposium. For this reasons we invited representatives of Cuba and Venezuela, relatives and the attorney of the Cuban 5, still awaiting confirmations.

The Middle East, as a warning example for the isolation politics towards countries, will play as well an important role in our symposium. We invited representatives of the resistance, lawyers for justice and intellectuals from the whole Mideast region.

Among our participants there will be Awni Al-Kalemji, spokesperson of the Iraqi Patriotic Alliance, Dr. Sahar Mahdi, a lawyer of Iraq, who give juridical assistance for Abu-Ghraib prisoners, Dr. Hisham Bustani, who among others represents the Resistant Arab People's Alliance - Pan Arab and the Union of Professional Associations from Jordan, Mohammed Safa, the general secretary of the Khiam Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims in Lebanon, who can first hand speak about the devastation and the recent situation of his country after the Israeli aggression and occupation, which has also destroyed a branch of their center in South Lebanon. On Palestine there will be representatives of the Palestinian Community in Austria, and we also invited important representatives of the resistance, waiting their confirmation.

We are hopeful also to receive delegations from Tunesia, Syria and Egypt, who can report especially about the situation of political prisoners in their countries.

Among the delegates from Turkey, there will be artists, intellectuals, lawyers, as well as prisoners' families from TAYAD, in order to speak on the struggle against isolation politics and other representives, who give informations on different areas of struggle for fundamental rights and freedoms.

There will be lawyers, prison support organisations, associations and solidarity committees from the Basque Country (Euskadi), Ireland, Italy, Belgium, Germany and Denmark, in order to discuss the prison conditions in Europe and the increase of repression towards left and social movements.

Our invitation is open for all people and movements, who stand for a broad union of all democratic and progressive forces.

If you would like to join the symposium against isolation and speak about any related topic in your country, please send us a short presentation of your organisation/network or the question you would like to discuss.

Below we send you a draft program for the international symposium in Athens.

Looking forward to your reply.

kind regards,

IPAI

International Platform against Isolation

E-mail: isolation@post.com

address:

c/o Stiftgasse 8

1070 Vienna

Austria

xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx

To be sure that your message arrives, we ask you to send any e-mails in relation to the symposium only to that e-mail address : symposium_athens2006@yahoo.de

***

(Please take into account that the following draft program is not yet finalized. We invited many others, whose names have to be confirmed yet)

PROGRAM DRAFT:

Friday, 15th December 2006:

09.00 a.m.: Begin of reception and registration of delegates

11.00 a.m.-12.30 p.m.: Opening of the conference by the International Platform against Isolation, report on the last symposias and introduction of the international delegates, overview of program

12.30 a.m.- 2.00 p.m.: Lunch break

2.00 - 4.00 p.m.: Seminar on isolation of political prisoners - How to extend our common struggle?

Moderation:

International Platform against Isolation, Greek Preparatory Committee

Speakers:

Dr. Sahad Mahdi, lawyer (Iraq), defending prisoners of Abu Ghraib, Robert Robideau, lawyer of Leonard Peltier (USA), representative of the prisoners' support association TAYAD (Turkey), Artists against Isolation (Turkey), Texan Committee for the Abolition of Death Penalty (USA), Irish Unity Committee (USA), Mohammed Safa (Lebanon), Palestinian Community Austria, IRPWA (Ireland), prisoners' organisation or lawyer of the Basque country (Euskadi)

4.30-6.30 p.m: Seminar on political trials and criminalization of social movements- How to defend our basical and political rights?

Moderation:

International Platform against Isolation, Greek Preparatory Committee

Speakers:

International democratic lawyers and lawyer's associations, CLEA - Committee for the Freedom of _Expression and Organization (Belgium), Anatolian Federation (Germany), “Promoter Committee” for the “Campaign Against the Art. 270 and the Associative Offences”(Italy), International Forum (Denmark)

6.30 - 7.30 p.m.: Open forum and discussion

8.00-11.30 p.m.: Big cultural event - "Concert for the future and hope of the people"

International Folk/Protest music, poems and international special guests...

Short interventions of delegates from USA, Latinamerica, Palestine...

Grup Yorum, Greek music, Arabic music, artists read poems for the prisoners

Open buffet

Saturday, 16th December 2006:

9.00-11.30 a.m.: Seminar on the resistance against global war

(The "failure of the Big Middle East Project) - How to support the Resistance of the entire people?

Moderation:

International Platform against Isolation, Greek Preparatory Committee

Speakers: Dr. Hisham Bustani, Jordan, representative of the anti-imperialist movement in Turkey, Awni Al-Kalemji, spokesman of the Iraqi Patriotic Alliance, Mohammed Safa, general secretary of the Khiam Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims, Lebanon

11.30 a.m.-1.00 p.m.: Open forum and discussion

1.00 - 2.00 p.m.: Lunch break

2.00-4.00 p.m.: Seminar on Latinamerica - Embargos, sanctions and how to create the links between our struggles?

Moderation:

International Platform against Isolation, Greek Preparatory Committee

Speakers:

DINNER

6.00-7.30 p.m. Meeting of the Network for Political Prisoners Solidarity

Democratic lawyers, prisoner's support associations working out an annual concept for action in solidarity with the prisoners and political activists on trial

8.00-11.00 p.m.: Cultural event, presenting poems, messages of political prisoners, video presentation on the struggle against death penalty in the USA

Sunday, 17th December:

09.00-10.30 a.m.: Working group meet for the draft of a final declaration

10.30 - 12.30 a.m.: Finalization of the draft declaration and presentation of a calendar for activities in 2007

12.30 a.m.-1.30 p.m: Lunch

2.00-6.00 p.m.: Cultural and politic-historical city trip

6.30-7.30 p.m.: dinner

Monday, 18th December:

11.00 -12.00 a.m.: Press conference

- Meeting with Greek and European deputies, NGO's, Trade Unions, etc. in order to reach over our common declaration and to call for support actions.

- Commemoration for the victims of the struggle against the f-type prisons and for all other victims of the resistance against imperialist aggression

________________________

* non-confirmed participants

4th International Symposium Against Isolation Politics -

Paris, 16th-19th December 2005

REPORT

======

At the 4th of the International Symposium, which the International Platform Against Isolation has turned into a tradition, the isolation practices of imperialism in various aspects of life were examined.

250 delegates from 37 countries have participated in the symposium. It’s central theme was to examine and explain isolation practices, which are carried out as
embargos, threats of war, occupations and wars waged against countries and peoples; 'black-lists' and anti-terror laws against popular movements and organisations; isolation torture and terror against. Free Algiers’ first president Ahmed Ben Bella was the honorary president of the 4th International symposium, where revered experts, institutions and organisations participated. Former political prisoners, prisoners’ solidarity organisations, lecturers, writers, resistance organisations, political parties were exceptionally well represented and simultaneous interpreting to Turkish, English, French, German, Arabic and Spanish languages contributed to the international nature of the event that it deserved.

The first of the series of symposia that were coincided with the 19-22 December massacre was held in Noordwijk-Holland in 2002 were 40 delegates participated. The first symposium declared 19-22 December as the International Days of Struggle Against Isolation. In 2003 the symposium took place in Florence-Italy with the participation of 110 delegates and in 2004, approximately 150 delegates gathered in Berlin-Germany.

In parallel with former symposia, a hunger strike was being held by political prisoners internationally in order to protest 19-22 December massacre and to salute the symposium. This year too, a 3 days hunger strike was called for by the
International Platform Against Isolation and held by hundreds of prisoners in Turkey, France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Spain, The Basque country, Britain, Ireland, Russia and USA, in order to highlight the themes to shut down F-Type prisons, end isolation and to protest the massacre in Turkish prisons on December 19th - 22nd, 2000.

At the conclusion of the symposium, a decision was taken to establish a prisoners’ solidarity organisation in Turkey, Palestine, Iraq, Basque Country, Ireland, USA and Corsica as the sub-functioning body of the IPAI and practical steps were taken towards this aim.

One of the achievements of the symposium was that lawyers and advocates, who attended the symposium from various countries, have established a Legal Commission to examine 'black-lists' and Anti-Terror laws. The Legal Commission was initially formed by members from Turkey, USA, Belgium, Argentine, Germany, Denmark and Lebanon and decided to carry out studies of 'black-lists' regarding International Courts.

THE FIRST DAY (16 December): Isolation of Peoples and Countries

4th International Symposium Against Isolation, which was organised by International Platform Against Isolation commenced on 16th December in Paris, the capital of France. A cocktail party was held at the opening of the symposium.

On the first day of the symposium,
200 contributors participated in the examination of the subjects “War and Occupation” and “Embargo, Threats of war and Lawlessness”. The same day a Canadian poetry session was staged.

Some famous individuals took part in the symposium. Due to health problems, the honorary president Ahmed Ben Bella was unable to attend personally and he sent a speech instead. The opening speech was held by the IPAI representative. In her speech, she pointed out that the present reality is war, occupation and embargo. The representative stated that after the demise of the Eastern Block, the imperialism needed another enemy and made references to the new world order and globalization. The representative indicated that the USA prepared the grounds for the war in Iraq, but failed to offer any evidence, nevertheless unashamedly staged aggression. The
representative of the IPAI stated that this was not limited to Iraq but Yugoslavia and Afghanistan shared the same fate whilst some other countries were lined up to be targeted. She said: “We must raise our voices to prevent this development!”

This was followed by Ahmed Ben Bella’s speech being read out. Ben Bella stated that although colonies in the classical sense no longer exist, the West still holds the hegemony and resistance is necessary. Ahmed Ben Bella’s assistant Prof. Ahmed Soussi also made a speech. Soussi said: “The press always indicates towards the civilian casualties in Iraq and ignores the struggle against USA military and by doing so, tries to illustrate the resistance
as unjustified.”

In his speech the famous French Writer Henri Alleg stated “It gives me great pleasure to be here because this symposium is very important to be in solidarity with prisoners in Turkey. I expect these symposia to create a great solidarity against imperialism.

Prisoners in Turkey give a great example in resisting against it. It can also be seen in the USA. Cuban 5, Mumia Abu-Jamal and
Leonard Peltier keep on struggling against a power that intends to kill freedoms.

Imperialism is not only USA’s domain. European governments also rush to its aid. It is being aided by Israel and European governments. Even in the bosom of Europe racism and great injustices raises from the grave to haunt foreigners. Police raids target ethnic communities. Recent incidents in France are the best examples of this. Planes are full of people being returned to their countries. This symposium is very important in order to resist the system that intends to kill freedoms. 

The new age is in expectation of a new kind of humanity. Cubans have this _expression: Venceremos!”

Following Alleg’s speech, Avni Al Kalemji, the representative of Iraqi Patriotic Union spoke: “Speakers before me comprehensively summarized the events in Iraq. It is often stated that Iraq was not democratic and torture was commonplace. However, Bush’s US make such practices redundant and solely judge entire countries as if it was their given right.

The example the US sets is as if torture is an internationally deserved
right. Almost everybody justified the embargo against the Iraqi people with Saddam’s regime. But after the war, it was understood that this wasn’t the case. If weapons of mass destruction were to be found, it would have been possible to justify the war. But they were not found.

Despite this, nobody stepped forward to openly say it wasn’t justified.

Along with the state being collapsed in Iraq, an entire society, the people were condemned to such grieves. However, through their struggle, the people of Iraq prove day by day that it is possible to resist persecution. In fact everybody realized that the intention of the US is to establish a new order in the Middle East. Even within the US the
public opinion is that the US has lost this war. Bush was self-confident before the war. He used to claim not to be in need of any help. But now, he is seeking help from the Arab League for a solution. I am not speaking on behalf of the resistance in Iraq. But I call upon everybody to consider it as his or her own resistance.”

Final speakers of the session entitled “War and Occupation” were Iraqi Sociologist Subhi Toma and Bruno Drewski from the European Alternative and Economic Solidarity Network.

The second session was entitled “Embargo, Threat of War and Lawlessness” and was presented by Mohammed Safa, Director of the KHIAM Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims in Lebanon, Austrian Palestinian Community; Cihan Keskek, a member of the music band 'Grup Yorum', who went to Iraq as a human shield and Olivia Zemor, representative of Europalestine.

Cihan Keskek, who went to Iraq in 2001 as a human shield stressed the importance of common struggle against imperialism. Mohammed Safa conveyed his impressions of Isolation and Struggle with Isolation Symposium in
Istanbul in June 2005. Safa said that as a Lebanese he thought he had seen the worst of prison conditions but Turkish prisons were by far worst ever he has encountered. Safa stated that the symposium in Paris is an important tool in struggle against isolation and torture but the real aim should be material work and not only gathering on 19 December every year and just talk. He added that they proposed to hold the next symposium in Beirut next year and volunteered to organise it.

THE SECOND DAY (17 December): Isolation of Prisoners

On 17th December, the second day of the symposium started with the session dedicated to “Isolation and Torture” at 10:30. The session started with a film made by the Austrian journalist Gerhard Tuschla, who interviewed Haj Ali (recognized by the picture with a hood over his head and arms stretched) who was released a few months ago after having been incarcerated in Abu Ghraib, one of the most known US’ torture chamber in Iraq. The session went on with a speech by Ahmet Kulaksiz on behalf of TAYAD. Kulaksiz stated that one of the most important matters in Turkey at the moment are F-Type isolation cells and stated that he will be loyal until the victory to his promise he gave his two daughters he lost during the struggle against isolation policy and that TAYAD would continue to be the voice of political prisoners.
Kulaksiz stated that lynching attacks against TAYAD supporters were the indicators of concerns over resistance.

During the same session Mary Rubinchik from All-Union Movement for Defense of Political Prisoners in Russia, ASP (Association for Solidarity with the Proletariat) from Italy, Martin Mulholland on behalf of IRPWA (Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association) from Ireland, took the floor and described the circumstances of political prisoners in their countries. Debates concluded that isolation is an international issue and necessitates a common struggle against it.

Following the lunch break, the session, entitled “Political Isolation in the USA” started at 14:00 hours, where Prof. Angela Davis, one of the prominent names of the African-American Liberation Movement in the US, Efia Nwangaza, the leader of Jericho Movement and the spokesperson Paulette d’Arteuil for Native American Leonard Peltier, who had been incarcerated for 30 years in the US took the floor.

On the anniversary of the December 19th -22nd massacre and in order to support the symposium, and stage a
solidarity action with the death fast, Leonard Peltier and Veronza Bowers, both political prisoners in the US, sent messages, calling for a united struggle against American Imperialism and its collaborators and indicated their solidarity with all political prisoners in Turkey and first and foremost those on Death Fast.

The third session of Saturday entitled “What is to be done against Isolation and International-Scale Torture” was presented by speakers from; IRPWA (Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association) from Ireland, TAYAD from Turkey, The secretary on behalf of European Member of Parliament Karin Resetarits, speaker Julien Neeve on behalf of Observatoire international des
prisons-OIP (Observers of International Prisons) from France, representatives from ADEEL (Association for Protection of Fundamental Rights in Europe) and DOE from Greece. Mihri Belli, one of the first members of the Turkish Communist Movement has also participated in the session and despite his high age, exhibited the spirit and loyalty to the revolutionary ideals. Panelists of this session stressed the necessity to organise the prisoners’ associations at an international level and the need for the political prisoners to act in union.

After the strong attendance of 300 participants in the sessions on the second day, a FREE PRISONERS NIGHT was attended by 450 people. American poets
recited their poems, which were followed by the Youth Choir Turkuler Sevdamiz [Our Songs, Our Devotion]. Following the brief interval, the guest of honour Prof. Angela Davis of USA took the floor and made a speech. Angela, who spent time in prison in 70’s due to the Black Panther case, said: “I would like to share the floor with Ahmet Kulaksiz, who has paid the greatest price in the fight against isolation that I have ever known.” Together, they continued the speech. Davis also stated that she could never forget the solidarity message written on a toilet paper by Turkish political prisoners, smuggled out of prison and was secretly sent to her prison in 1972. Davis declared that she bows with respect before the resistance in Turkish prisons, clenched hands with Ahmet Kulaksiz and closed her speech with the slogan “Long live Socialism!” and saluted the floor. In standing ovation, hundreds of spectators chanted “Long live Revolutionary Solidarity!” and eagerly saluted Angela
Davis and Ahmet Kulaksiz. The night ended with Grup Yorum’s enthusiastic songs and chain-dance called halay in Turkish.

THE THIRD DAY (18 December):

Isolation on popular movements and Organisations

The first session was dedicated to “Breaches of Rights to Resistance and Organisation” Speakers of this Panel were; Nurhan Erdem on behalf of the Anatolian Federation, Mehmet Gocebe, on behalf of the Federation for Fundamental Rights and Ozlem Pembe Olgun on behalf of the Youth Federation from Turkey, Gaby Ties on behalf of MLPD (Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany), Pavlos Anatopoulos on behalf of the Greek Federation of Public Servants, Saleh Nazzal from Ministry for Prisoners on behalf of Palestinian Administration, Julio Diaz on behalf of PCPE (Communist Party of the Peoples of Spain-Partido Comunista De Los Pueblos de Espana) Jean Marie Antolini on behalf of Committee Against Oppression in Corsica.

The opening speech of the panel included an IPAI declaration on ‘black lists’ and the spokesperson for MLPD stated that whilst ‘War on Terror was ongoing’ rights and freedoms were being curbed with new laws and methods.

Anatolian Federation chairman Nurhan Erdem stated that ‘Agenda 2010’ aimed at having the best economy in the world and becoming a force against USA and Japan. Erdem also explained the pros and cons of the
‘Agenda 2010’ and made references to the health reforms in Germany and in Europe as a whole. Erdem mentioned Hartz IV laws and indicated that these laws included all workers in Europe but pressure upon foreigners were not limited to these and attempts were made to withdraw all the rights of foreigners by newly enacted immigration laws. Erdem stated that reactionary laws are brought up when native and foreign organisations do not cooperate in Europe, the spirit of solidarity is at the lowest ebb and in the aftermath of 11th September, demagogies of terrorism against Moslem populations in force whereas 'black lists', Anti-Terror Laws and European Army within the context of the European Constitution are brought about.

At the closing stage of his speech, Erdem stated the following: “The ever-oft used divide and rule policy is in fact a method to isolate workers; native and foreign alike. The way to end this isolation is in the creation of a united struggle. As Anatolian Federation we are organised in Germany first and foremost but also in Austria, France, Holland, England, Belgium and Switzerland. In all places that we are organised, we call upon those native and foreign organisations fighting Agenda 2010, Bolkestein directives, 'black lists', Anti-terror Laws, Militarism, all attempts to usurp rights and freedoms, to join forces with us. This should not be misunderstood. It is not a call for solidarity. This is a call for cooperation. Nobody has the luxury of being in solidarity with us. This is because our problems are everybody’s problems. Let us unite and fight for our rights and freedoms. 

Mehmet Gocebe, who took the floor, stressed “The state’s operations on 20 prisons on December 19th and the isolation that followed were policies of  imperialism, and all the enacted laws were ‘confirmed by the EU’. The characteristics of this resistance are being a barricade against imperialist policies. The decisiveness of the resistance stimulates the world left and revolutionaries.” In concluding his speech, he suggested that this symposium must grow even bigger, indicating that not a hall of 600 but 6,000 should be the venue and not with contributors from 29 countries but 129.

Ozlem Olgun, who took the floor on behalf of Youth Federation, described the dimensions of the effect of isolation on Universities and the youth. She stated that universities were surrounded by cameras and that every step is being monitored, whether in the canteen, corridors, in lecture theatres. Whilst students find it difficult to go to the university fascists were wandering around comfortably and that in recent attacks nearly 150 progressive and liberal students were injured in fascist attacks.

She expressed
that due to the obstacles the students face, their rights of education are being victimized and they were not allowed in schools.

She revealed that at a secret session YOK [Turkish Higher Education Board] has established a policy as how to prevent revolutionary-progressive students.

Olgun gave a striking example as to how a rector had a session of interrogation with torture on a student, who
attended the legal May Day demonstration and added that yet another factor that isolates the education were private universities, so that people would receive education according to their budgets. Olgun stated that “whilst thousands of teachers were unemployed, there are thousands more students without teachers.” And pointed out that universities do not educate honest, patriotic youth but a generation addicted to drugs and prostitutions and that all demands and expectations are met with detentions and investigations. She rounded up her speech by stating that the resistance against F-Type prisons is a struggle not against F-Type prisons but to the tendency to turn life in entirety into F-Type and remarked “We are prepared to give our lives for that resistance!”

On behalf of Greek Federation of Public Servants, Pavlos Anatopoulos took the floor and suggested “The deeper the contradictions of capitalism are, the harsher the oppression of the state. Workers must resist for their wages, rights but also against imperialist policies of aggression. The only path for all peoples is to resist to imperialist plans.” He stated that the struggle must be combined and that capitalism was trying to divide the workers. Further, he exemplified how the struggles of revolutionaries in various countries were distorted as terrorism. 

He further stated that the labor movement in every
country and continent is on the rise and that the latest incidents in France were examples of it. He finished by saying “If and when workers are organised, the victory will be ours!”

On behalf of Ministry for Prisoners in Palestine Saleh Nazzal demanded in his speech: “Yell until your voice is heard about political prisoners and let them hear your voice. Not only with solidarity across the world but also by actually have them hear our voices we can help them. A lot of people know about torture. But nobody knows about isolation.” Nazzal went on telling the conditions and ‘X-Cells’ in Israeli prisons. He explained: ‘No sunlight, dirty and extremely humid, no newspaper, no television, no
radio, singing and chats from one window to another is not allowed, almost no visit at all. Prisoners are always subjected to insults and provocations.

PCPE representative Julio Diaz took the floor and stated “there are serious attacks on democratic rights and freedoms. Zapatero’s policies hide his actual interests. We are in a position that we will have to fight energetically against oppressions, collaborator governments and the violence of the system.”

Jean Marie Antolini, the representative of Committee Against Oppression in Corsica, reported that due to its strategic position, Corsica has always been occupied throughout the history. However, every time they defeated the invaders and at one stage France was forced to withdraw. He said: “Whilst invading Corsica, French breach their own laws and apply illegal methods. According to French laws, a prisoner must be kept close to his family. But prisoners generally exiled to Paris. Prisoners are trying to gain political status, but so far this hasn’t been achieved. In some cases prisoners can be kept without trial for up to 8 years.”

The second panel of the day; Tribunal: Isolation, Black Lists and Law’

The panel started with a message from Halil Huseyin Abu Jabal from Golan Heights, Syria, being read out. Taylan Tanay from Halkin Hukuk Burosu [People’s Legal Bureau-HHB], Istanbul, Advocate Jan Fermon from Belgium, Committee to Struggle Against Article 270 from Italy, Law professor Adrian Albert from Argentina, Irene Claussen on behalf of International Forum from Denmark and journalist Alex Moumbaris, French citizen of Greek origin, who was imprisoned in South Africa for revolutionary activities and was freed in an action of freedom by South African Communist Party
participated.

Taylan Tanay spoke on behalf of HHB and stated that the savagery of the December 19th -22nd massacre was obvious and legitimacy was walked over. The meaning of it was the same, and it was for prisoners as well as the people of Turkey to become isolated. He said: ’Those didn’t die were prosecuted and those carried out the massacre were given distinguished service medals’ He went on describing the initial transition to F-Type [prisons] and that his clients Ali Osman Kose and Ercan Kartal having been kept under intense isolation, almost being abandoned to death. Tanay described F-Type practices in detail and explained that initially they had no legal foundations and were
administered according to a document called Master Plan. However prisoners had certain rights, which were ascertained in various statutes and regulations. The master plan then was replaced by the new TPC [Turkish Penal Code], enacted in June 1st, 2005. 

He said: “The new TPC restricts advocates duties and usurps the rights of prisoners to the extreme.” He stated that in order to make the isolation policies digested, the state intends to cancel the right to resist along with any kind of resistance and death strikes. This is not rulership of law over the state; this is state ruling the legislation.

Tanay continued by referring to “Inhuman treatments outside Turkey, such as Abu Gharib, Guantanamo Bay, Bagram, CIA’s clandestine prisons did not limit their activities to prisoners but also extended their intentions to apply isolation policies upon peoples’ and these were carried out through Black Lists and Terrorism demagogies.

Taylan Tanay referred to the Black lists, which threatens the entire world and called upon the lawyers in the symposium to set up a legal commission. Whilst rounding up his speech by quoting Odilon Barrot’s “Legitimisation brings death” he said: ‘I salute you on behalf of those revolutionary prisoners, who
lay their bodies to death against the inhuman treatments and whose hearts are here in this hall!’

Belgian lawyer Jan Fermon gave information about [Jose Maria] Sison, the leader of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines [NDFP]. He said: ‘My client was blacklisted without being told so.’ He stated two aspect of the black lists; first; the Spanish Inquisitions and second; the policies and practices, which were removed by the French Revolution and were later brought back. He said that the arrest of Sisson was decided during a secret session of the EP and no explanation was made, that even his lawyers were not told anything, but were hinted that ‘secret dossiers existed’, that
they were subject to ‘internal security matters’. He also suggested: ‘There are secret lists that are being kept away from the people of Spain, even the reasons for being blacklisted could not be disclosed.’

In some cases bank accounts are frozen. Sison’s only crime was having a bank account, where the state social security benefit is being deposited. It was suggested that this account was supporting terrorism. Due to not having any account, he is now without any benefit and deprived of his rights. Let alone medical insurance, he cannot even have a car insurance.

He stated that Sisson was being kept under house arrest and the role of the media was to display him as if he was a terrorist. 

Law Professor Adrian Albor stated that he spoke on behalf of the Federation of the Homeless and Landless and talked about “the prison system so-called ‘Cell 29’, which he explained to have been built 4 metres under the ground. 240 prisoners live 23 hours of the day in complete isolation. Only one hour a day they come up to feel the sun on their faces. They have to wear uniforms. They have no right to communicate. Radio, Television, newspapers are completely forbidden. Visitors can only see inmates behind glass partitions and talk to
them via the telephone. Even their advocates are always under threat. The state does not deny such practices anyway. The state dubbed the prisoners ‘Tumberos’, meaning; ‘Living in Coffin-shed’. I hope one day ‘Cell 29’s will be banned in my country. He stated that the struggle must keep on, because: “only a given up struggle is a lost struggle”

Irene Claussen said: “After the cold war ended, Bush declared that Communist was dead. But imperialism had a problem. It needed an enemy. Otherwise, how would they market the high capacity weapons and to whom? How would they justify their wars and invasions? So, 11 September was a bonus to them. So they could declare war against terror. In 2002
they rolled up their sleeves and listed FARC, DHKP-C, ETA, PKK … For good measure they added a few showpiece Islamist groups. Anti-terror laws allow any kind of arbitrary measure and makes anti-imperialist struggle more difficult.

The organisation ‘Opror’, in Danish meaning ‘revolt’, hit trouble with the police. This was because it donated € 700 each to FARC and PFLP. After the head of the Opror was arrested the organisation wrote letters to 100 organisations, inviting them to donate money to organisations listed in the terror list. The website of this call was curbed. Now, the Danish Court will decide whether PFLP and FARC are terrorist [organisations] or not. They will obtain a
so-called experts’ report for this.

Irene Clausen stressed that she wished to leave the symposium with a concrete decision. For instance either a conference entitled ‘Fighting for freedom is not terrorism’ or to organise a march in Brussels.

The representative of the Committee Against Article 270 (anti-terror law) stated that in Italy oppression is on the rise. He stated that the laws that were meant to be against foreigners and religious organisations were in fact ‘Anti-Terror’ laws and with the help of media and laws, any oppressed person can
be falsely shown as ‘terrorist’ and those participating in the struggle, expressing their solidarity will be accused of being a terrorist. Now revolutionaries are being subjected to 41bis Act that meant total isolation and was used against Mafia. He stated that their committee’s main priority was standing against Article 270 and they were organising solidarity actions with prisoners and published a political-legal defence handbook. In rounding up his speech, he suggested that in order to pre-empt bourgeoisie imperialist policies there is a need for tools and equipments.

The next speakers were the representatives Alexis Lacroix from PCRF (Pôle de Renaissance Communiste en France), and
Alex Moumbaris, from the Bureau d'Information Presse, who expressed the need for International unity for democratic rights.

This was followed by the organised ‘THOSE WHO RESIST, SURVIVE’ night.

After the Palestinian Folklore Group Dabke, anti-imperialist poets from Canada, Chile, Spain and Hungary play-wrote the ‘beloved dictionary section of ‘Vizgelir’[I dare] magazine in the form of a poem and staged it. The magazine is being drawn-up in English in Sincan F-Type prison.

This was followed up by enthusiastic anthems; songs, chain dance and Grup Yorum came to the stage. The night ended with hundreds of people doing the chain dance whilst the last singer Eren Can sang her beloved songs and increased the exuberance of the participants.

Fourth DAY (19 DECEMBER)

Press Release: 35 delegates who participated in the Symposium from countries like; the USA, Russia, Palestine, Lebanon, Italy, France, Iraq,Turkey, Chile, Canada, Argentina, Germany, Denmark, Holland and other countries attended the press release. At the press release which was located in the Gymnass theatre a significant emphasis was placed on the December 19th -22nd massacre, and the conclusion of the Fourth International Symposium against Isolation was finalized.

PROTEST AGAINST THE 19TH-22TH DECEMBER MASSACRE

The protest which was organised by the IPAI platform (International Platform Against Isolation) started with a remembrance ceremony of martyrs, from the Communals up to the heroes of 19th December and those who struggle for independence, democracy and socialism in Palestine, Colombia, Iraq, Turkey, Nepal and others all around the world. Delegates from 15 different countries attended the protest that was entitled "From the Communals to The Great Struggle". It was stated that the determination of the organisation which formed the Great Struggle and the belief underlying this created the concept of the "free captive"; the French author Henri Alleg also participated in the remembrance. The creator of this determination, "the name of
hope and leadership" was saluted.

The remembrance ceremony took place in front of the wall where Communals were executed by shooting in 1871. During the commemoration ceremony a wreath was laid, on which was written in French and Turkish "The heroes do not die, The people cannot be defeted" and the role of the EU in the 19th December massacre was stated on a banner which was written in French. With the banner the protesters paid their respects in front of the monument.

In the cemetery the crowd visited graves of French Communist martyrs, those who were executed by shooting during the Nazi occupation, and those  who were killed in prisons and in camps, and carnations were laid at their graves. At the end of the visit protesters visited the graves of Ahmet Kaya and Yilmaz Guney, revolutionary artists from Turkey. 

DECEMBER 19TH-22ND: INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY FROM POLITICAL PRISONERS

The great struggle against F-Type Prisons and the struggle of free prisoners are an inspiration for the International Struggle Against Isolation Platform’s establishment and it has announced those days as days of International Struggle. This struggle has attracted attention from all over the world. From USA to Russia, in many countries captives participated by solidarity hunger strike and solidarity messages during the past four years in respect of the Death
Fast. The participation in this hunger strike increases every year. This year, those who are participating in the International Hunger Strike from all over the world belong to different groups; revolutionary, socialist, anarchist, environmentalist, patriots; and those who are participating and confirmed it in writing are as follows:

(There were also others who participated in the Hunger Strike but for different reasons we did not receive written confirmation)

From the USA: Gerardo Hernandes Nordela, Ramon Labanino Salazar (Luis Medina), Antonio Guerrero Rodriguez, Fernando Gonzalez Llort (Ruben Campa), Rene Gonzalez Sehwerert also known as the Cuban Five; the Native American captive Leonard Peltier; Black Panther captives Mumia Abu Jamal, Jalil Muntaqim, Sundiata Accoli, Herman Bell, Veronza Bowers, Ed Poindexter, Mondo Langa, Herman Wallace, Albert Woodfox; from the organisation On The Move Michael, Charles Simms, Delbert, William Phillips, Edward Goodman, Janet Holloway, Janine Phillips, Debbie Simms, African American captives who have been prisoners for 20 years and taken their leader John Africa’s surname; the anti-imperialist captive Cassidy Wheeler; the political and prisoner of war from Puerto Rico Oscar Lopez Rivera, Carlos Alberto Torres, Haydee Beltran Torres, Jose Velez Acosta, Jose Perez Gonzales.

Communist captive Rainer Dittrich from Germany and anarchist prisoner Thomas Meyer-Falk 

Marco Camenisch, environmentalist prisoner from Switzerland.

Republican, socialist, political and the prisoners of war in Ireland's prisons ( they participated in a one day solidarity hunger strike)

In France PCE(r) captives, in Spain the Communist Party-Innovatory captive Jaoquin Garrido Gonzalez, and the Lebanese revolutionary George Ibrahim Abdallah, captive for 22 years.

In Spain PCE(r) and GRAPO prisoners whose names are not clarified yet.

A group of Basque prisoners who are captives in different countries.

1st of April Operation captives in Italy, Zeynep and Avni.

In Ukraine, Revolutionary Communist prisoners Aleksander Gerassimov, Bogdan Zirchenko, Andrey
Yakovenko.

In the Russian Federation, Communist captives Igor Danilov, Aleksander Smirnov, Ilya Romanov.

In Moldova, the Communist prisoner Yevgeny Cemenov.

In Turkey, hundreds of political captives are participating in a Hunger Strike.