Switzerland: Attack against the Turkish Consulate General in Zurich

In the night of the 25.8. to the 26.8.2015, we attacked a car on the terrain of the Turkish general consulate at the Weinbergstrasse 65 in Zurich with an explosive device after the Turkish state launched a massive attack against progressive forces in the region with cover from the USA, NATO and the Barzani clan in Iraq in the past weeks. We are in solidarity with the struggle for a free Rojava and the struggle of the revolutionary movement in Turkey!

After a long period of a strategy of tension and the massacre in Suruc on July 20th (where more than 30 comrades from different political tendencies died and dozens were injured), the Turkish state has launched an open attack against the progressive movement. On the one hand, this represents continuity in the collaboration of the AKP with the “Islamic State” and in the struggle of the AKP against progressive forces. Since the city of Kobane on the Syrian-Turkish border was massively attacked by the “IS” in the fall of last year and the military contention around Kobane and the liberation of the city became international focal points for the revolutionary process, it has been shown time and time again how the Turkish state aids the gangs of “IS” while those fighting with the YPG/J are hindered. This was shown exemplary in the treatment of the wounded from Syria. While those supporting “IS” could be transported to Turkey withouth hindrance and didn’t have much to fear, fighters of the YPG/J had to be smuggled across the border and had to fear being arrested while in the hospital bed. Recently, six YPG/J fighters were even extradited to the Al-Nusra-Front by Turkey! Other examples are the refusal of a humanitarian corridor to Kobane for medicine or food, the documented shipments of weapons by the Turkish secret service MIT to the “IS” or the obvious acceptance of recruitment centres of the “IS” in Turkey. In this sense, the attack in Suruc on July 20th (while Kobane was attacked in parallel with car bombs) which was only possible with the support of the MIT and other security institutions of the Turkish state in this city was only the consistent continuation of AKP-politics against the movement.

On the other hand, this attack was of course also an escalation, a qualitative change in the attack against the revolutionary movement in the region. It wasn’t the first attack by “IS” against progressive forces in Turkey within the context of a strategy of tension (for example the bombs against events of the legal HDP or the sneaky attack against Kobane on June 25th from Turkish soil), but in it’s quality and goals targeting the solidarity explicitly, this attack was different to previous ones. This is also shown in the subsequent actions of the AKP government after this attack. The massacre of Suruc was the kick-off to a broad attack of the Turkish state against all revolutionary forces (prior to this attack, the state attacked the movement via “IS”, now it attacks openly).

This broad attack is presumably driven by (at least) two motivations. On the one hand, Erdogans speculates that in a climate of war and fear the AKP will gain the votes necessary to introduce a presidential system of their liking. On the other hand, it is certainly also the case that a chance was seen to try to halt the revolutionary process in the region. Beside the geo-strategisch importance of the region as it is, where it is in the interest of imperialist forces to have forces in power that favor them (like the Barzani clan in northern Iraq), the struggle for Kobane and then Rojava has reached a political dimension which must be a pain for those in power. Because the struggle there shows that a perspective is possible which stands outside of capitalist or imperial logic. It is important to not neglect this dimension when trying to evaluate the current situation.

In this sense, it is only consistent when the USA and the NATO approves of the airstrikes by Turkey against Qandil or the attacks by the police and military against cities and neighborhoods with a strong presence of revolutionary forces. Not only because they were allowed the use of the airfield Incirlik in Turkey, but also because it would fit their agenda if Rojava were governed by forces like the Barzani clan, who have proven in their history to be loyal to imperialist forces.

Despite or maybe even because of the growing complexity of the conflict in the region, the fundamentals shall not be forgotten. The movement in Rojava is an emancipatory moment with an incredible power, it is not the time to stand aside but to support this path in solidarity. The same is valid for the revolutionary forces in Turkey whose strengthening has been helped by the experiences in the struggle around Gezi-Park and now by the inspiration from Rojava. Confronted with the attacks against them by the Turkish state which also consist of executing militants, we must of course support them.

International solidarity is practical and not dependent on seasonal fluctuation but driven by the necessity of actions because of political reference points and principals. We don’t stand here today and there tomorrow, but at the side of the revolutionary forces fighting for a society with socialist elements. There exist different forms of international solidarity, one was the support of the defense of Kobane through massive pressure from the streets of Europe, others are the support of the military struggle (as in the context of the International Freedom Brigade) or in the reconstruction of the destroyed cities (as was the campaign targeted on July 20th in Suruc, carried by the federation of socialist youth groups and bringing together different forces). Finally it can be a contribution to push forward the revolutionary process here and connect it to the revolutionary process there to advance together.

Solidarity and power to all fighters for a free Rojava!
Solidarity and power to all fighting for a revolutionary perspective!

For a revolutionary perspective

(via 325nostate)

Kadıköy, Istanbul: ALF liberate hamsters in memory of anarchists killed in Suruç

Turkey: Activists from the Animal Liberation Front have liberated 8 hamsters from a pet shop in Kadıköy in Istanbul. The pet shop is well known for mistreating animals and has been targeted by the ALF several times before. The activists carried out the action in memory of Alper Sapan, Evrim Deniz Erol and Medali Baructu who were killed in the Suruç Massacre and in honor of Caner Derinsu who was seriously injured in Suruç. The activists say that more actions are planned against the pet shop.

(via sosyalsavas)

Suruç Massacre: Solidarity from Melbourne

27.07.15: A solidarity action took place outside the Turkish consulate in Melbourne on Monday in response to Turkish state complicity in the Suruç Massacre and in response to the international call out made by Anarşi İnisiyatifi (Anarchy Initiative) who lost four of their comrades in the attack. 

A group of about 20 mostly anarchist activists gathered outside the consulate at around 5PM with banners and signs condemning the massacre and the involvement of the Turkish state, there were also signs expressing support for the ongoing Rojava Revolution. Of the two large banners that were unfurled outside the consulate, one read: 'Solidarity With Suruç From Melbourne! Stop Turkish State Sponsored Terror!' while the other banner read: 'In Memory Of Evrim Deniz Erol, Alper Sapan and Medali Barutçu - Solidarity Is Our Weapon!' 

There were two speeches made with the speakers expressing solidarity with the people of Suruç, the Kurdish struggle in Rojava and elsewhere in Kurdistan, condemning the Turkish state for their involvement in the Suruç massacre and for their recent airstrikes against the PKK as well as the shelling of YPG/J positions inside Rojava. Mention was also made of the brutal crackdown against the Kurdish movement and the Turkish left inside Turkish state controlled territories - a crackdown that has resulted in mass detentions and the extra-judicial killings of at least 3 young activists. 

As expected there was the usual over the top presence of both state and Federal police officers who were stationed in front of the consulate doors and across the road from where the demonstration took place. A staffer from the consulate was also observed taking photographs of the action. 

Solidarity With The People of Suruç!

Long Live The Memories of Evrim Deniz Erol, Alper Sapan, Medali Barutçu And All The Young Revolutionaries Who Died In The Suruç Massacre!

Long Live The Rojava Revolution And The Kurdish Resistance!

Increase The Pressure Against Turkish State Terror! 

Anarşi İnisiyatifi / Anarchy Initiative Call for Worldwide Solidarity Demonstrations Against the Turkish State July 26, 2015

Turkish-based anarchist group Anarşi İnisiyatifi (Anarchy Initiative) are calling on the global anarchist community to hold worldwide demonstrations outside Turkish consulates on July 26, 2015 at 7PM in response to the government of Turkey's complicity in the Suruç, Massacre. 32 young people were murdered in the suicide bombing committed by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/Daesh) including 2 anarchist comrades: Alper Sapan from Anarşi İnisiyatifi Eskişehir and Evrim Deniz Erol. The 32 comrades from various socialist, communist and anarchist youth groups were planning to cross the border from Turkey / North Kurdistan into Kobane in Rojava to deliver gifts for the war-affected children of the city and to participate in the reconstruction of war-ravaged Kobane.

"In 20 July 2015, (at least 32) people, some of our anarchist comrades, who went to Suruc for reconstruction of Kobane were killed by an ISIS suicide bomber. Turkish Republic still continues to support ISIS underhand. We will maintain our fight with all our strength to block all their paths.

Our call to the world anarchists:
26 July 2015, at 7PM for enlarging our anger and rebellion in front of consulates of Republic of Turkey where you live! In Solidarity with!
Anarchy Intitiative."

(via Anarchy In Istanbul)

From Tuzluçayır to Kobane: Interview With An Anarchist Warrior

The following article is an interview with an environmentalist, vegetarian anarchist from Turkey who is a member of Sosyal isyan (Social Insurrection) fighting as part of Birleşik Özgürlük Güçleri (United Freedom Forces) alongside the YPG / YPJ in Kobane, Rojava. The interview was conducted by H. Burak Öz and originally appeared on the jiyan.org website. We would like to thank the comrade Ece for translating the interview into English for us.

Environmentalist, vegetarian, anarchist combatants who fight in Kobane. 

We are sitting at the headquarters of United Freedom Forces (Birleşik Özgürlük Güçleri) in Kobane. I ask for a cigarette from a fighter aiming to meet and talk with him. While he offers one, I’m asking how many group form the United Freedom Forces. He says that, this force consist of salvationists (Kurtuluşçular), MLSPB, TDP and anarchists and indicates that he is an anarchist too.

What is the aim of fighting here for the anarchists?

I’m one of the founders of Social Insurrection and also their spokesperson. When the attack of ISIS started in Kobane, in the name of international solidarity, not considering it too much, we idealized to raise the defense as International Brigades much like in the Spanish Civil War. 

United Freedom Forces was formed by different socialist factions from Turkey. Being an anarchist, how did you become involved with this structure?

United Freedom Forces was founded when we arrived. We made a call to anarchists and ecologists. 

Are there any other anarchist fighters who came from other countries than Turkey? 

Comrades came from Italy and Spain. There is also an Argentinian anarchist who fights not with us but in YPG. 

When was Social Insurrection founded?

Social Insurrection was founded in 2013 in the tents of resistance in Tuzluçayır. (District in Istanbul Turkey - translator)

Why did you prefer a black and green flag?

Both because of the memory of Makhno peasants and also because of the fact that we are also ecologists.

What sort of a structure does Social Insurrection have? 

We defend class war and reject neo-liberal anarchism. Mostly we have classical anarchist, Makhno and Proudhonian comrades. Generally, we have a platformist comprehension. We can call Social Insurrection as: we didn’t take Bakunin, Proudhon, Luigi, Galleani, Malatesta etc as they were. We examined every anarchist and added our own thoughts and said that we are the Social Insurrectionists.

When did you enter the armed struggle?

 We defended armed struggle from the beginning of our foundation. Specifically, we were influenced by the view of insurrectionist anarchism of Alfredo M. Bonanno. We founded our own insurrectionist theory. We believe that the revolution will start with armed struggle. First, 3-5 armed acts in Turkish slums like Okmeydanı and now, this all led us to Kobane. But first of all, we dreamed about it.. If we hadn't dreamed about it and tried to practice it, we would just be drinking beers in a bar in Kadıköy or Beyoğlu. Some of our comrades stayed as they were. 

How is the approach of Kurdish Movement to you in Kobane?

In some way, our presence in Kobane shows that anarchist armed struggle didn’t end in the Spanish Civil War. At the beginning, socialist and Apoist (defenders of Abdullah Öcalan) friends were surprised to see anarchists using guns in here. A kind of an idea of anarchism created in minds. Actually, people don't really know anarchism in here. They know anarchists as against everything and to all sorts of organization. There is a nice statement by Kropotkin: “Anarchy is order.” We’re explaining and taking the responsibility of it. Even though its responsibility is hard to take, we’re trying to manage it.

In which point does theory of the ecological anarchism and the practice in Kobane overlap?

We lived such things in here that we couldn’t figure according to which movement we have to act, we couldn’t find the answer in books.

Like what? 

This is a military war. For example, we reject all sort of hierarchy but in here, you have to have a team commandant. You can’t give a walky-talkie to everyone in here or no one can act in his/her own way. Maybe the naturality creates its own priorities. We understood what the guidance of Malatesta and natural leadership of Bakunin was here, which we hadn't understood while reading. There was information, we practiced it and we obtained information once again.

What were you dreaming about before coming to Kobane and what did you find?

I thought I would have some problems about the chain of command but I didn’t. I didn’t confront with any sort of pressure or difficulty within YPG and United Freedom Forces. Some of our comrades may have screamed while a bullet passed near our heads in stressful times of war but it’s normal. 

Didn’t any ecological problems occur?

There was an orientalist point of view such as there was a need for people to come here to fill the gap of awareness. For example, comrades from Italy wanted to import organic agriculture but there are people who already know organic agriculture and they apply it. They are talking about ecology. A Spanish comrade insisted on “not using diesel oil to light a fire”. You’re in a place where diesel oil costs 7 cents. Wood is more expensive and you can’t find it easily because the place is generally a desert. There are olive trees but they are planted with agriculture. You can’t cut them. So, its absurd to tell these people “don’t use diesel oil, why do you use diesel oil to warm up?” 

You told us earlier that comrades from United Freedom Forces asked socialist friends not to eat meat and to apologize to the animals that they’ve killed but when you were cut off from supplies, you ate mostly meat. Can you talk about that? 

So many things happened in the mountains. Supplies didn’t arrive. We were hungry and there wasn’t anything else other than the ducks that were left behind by the villagers. When the comrades began cutting the ducks, I said “what are you doing? It’s murder!” but I said it detached from reality, as a reflex. Things that we do according just to theory had collapsed. 

You are fighting with socialists in the same group. Have any theoretical discussions occurred among you?

Even when they do, they are more like banter. We never had a problem. Us and them, we are all conscious that we came here for international solidarity. We are all acting accordingly to revolutionary ethics. We sleep side by side and we eat together. We are trying to understand each other. Maybe we need a new revolutionary theory in the 21st century that this practice may add something into, in terms of understanding each other.

You must have had some times that you approached to death. What do you think of in such moments?

I definitely had but in battlefront, you think of your comrades. Maybe there are some moments of fear and panic but when you hear gun sounds, they all disappear. I mean, you develop a reflex to protect yourself and your comrades.

What is this Coca-Cola can?

Don’t touch! It’s a handmade bomb.

Turkey: The Illegal Arrest & Detaining of Stephen Shaw Kaczynski

PRESS RELEASE: THE ILLEGAL ARREST AND DETAINING OF STEPHEN SHAW KACZYNSKI

On the 2nd of April, the fascist AKP government regime in Turkey, illegally raided the İdil Culture Centre (İdilKültürMerkezi) in Turkey. İdil Culture Centre’s workers and GrupYorum Members have been arrested then detained after being dragged from the premises and later tortured. British national Steve Shaw Kaczynski was detained at this time and remains without charge held in severe isolation conditions.

This follows major and continued unrest in Turkey where the US backed AKP fascist government continue to arrest and detain without charge any person who does not agree with their ideology and policies. Those who differ from the AKP are labeled as ‘terrorists’ where any dissent is not tolerated and where brutal and violent force is often used. Furthermore, under the AKP government, workers that are unemployed, students that are protesting for free education, traders that cannot obtain enough work, journalists and independent press often have little or no rights and are continually arrested as criminals and terrorists.

Who is Stephen Shaw Kaczynski and what is his crime?

Stephen Shaw Kaczynski was born on the 5th of July 1963 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He attended Linlithgow Academy and then went onto study Russian and German at the University of Edinburgh in the 1980s. He is currently and has always been a British National. Stephen worked for several years for the BBC World Service based in Reading, England and has also worked as a Sub Editor for various newspapers. Stephen is a kind and gentle man who abhors violence and has long campaigned for Human Rights and political freedom. He is a much-loved son, brother and uncle.

In 1996, when Stephen was working for the BBC, he began to learn and understand the struggles against Turkish government oppression forming friendships and supporting individuals from the Turkish left who were on ongoing death fasts in Turkey. Being a man with deep concerns for human rights abuses around the world and whom is also a socialist has a long standing affiliation and connection with Turkish culture. He speaks fluent Turkish and has for many years supported the Turkish community living in England for example with translation of official documents, help with employment matters, immigration issues and other general support where needed. Stephen has helped to defendpeople’s rights in many different ways over the years and has participated in symposiums, seminars, panels, especially in relation to the continuation of Turkey’s Death Fast resistance, where 122 individuals have been killed in F-Type prisons.

What does the AKP fascists want to do?

The fascist AKP government wants to frighten people at all levels of society with the continual slander of innocent people to discourage their ideas with the systematic goal of trying to pressure people to forget their political identity. The AKP label foreignindividuals like Stephen as ‘agents’ where they try to discredit them. Stephen was in Turkey for the purpose of international solidarity against fascism and was arrested on unsubstantiated claims by the AKP police. Media channels and newspapers commissioned by the AKP informed people that Stephen was an ‘agent’ and whilst there is no evidence of this, the court and prosecutors have still not asked Stephen about this. After the raids, there has been different media claiming that Stephen is a ‘British agent’. There is categorically no truth in this accusation. Whilst Stephen has been under police custody, the AKP backed media have portrayed him as a traitor to his activist friends and to the beliefs he has always stood for.

How can we help and support Steve?

We, as a committee for Steve Kaczynski’s freedom, are supporting our comrade with letters and cards ensuring that Steve feels our love, solidarity and our respect for him. We do not believe the lies that have been said against him. We will oppose his illegal arrest and will be his voice in this, his country and in Turkey. We invite all Human Rights defenders, our friends and our people to support Steve by writing letters and sending cards to him. We are repeating the slogan that Steve had shouted during his arrest, ‘PRESSURES CANNOT INTIMIDATE US!’.

PRESSURES CANNOT INTIMIDATE US!
STEPHEN KACZYNSKI IS OUR HONOUR!
LONG LIVE INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY!
LONG LIVE THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE PEOPLE!
IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR STEPHEN KACZYNSKI!
FREEDOM FOR STEPHEN KACZYNSKI!

Help us to protest against the unlawful arrest of Stephen Kaczynski. You can help by sending a fax to the Ministry of Justice in Ankara and phoning to ask why Stephen Kaczynski has been unfairly arrested.

The Ministry of Justice
Telephone: 90 (0312) 417 77 70
Fax: 90 (0312) 419 33 70
E-mail: ınfo@adalet.gov.tr
Address: 06659 KIZILAY / ANKARA

Please also support Steve by writing letters and cards to:
Maltepe 3 No.lu Hapishanesi, Yabancılarbölümü
BüyükBakkalKöyMah. YakacıkYoluÜzeri
NO: 13 MALTEPE - İSTANBUL

In the United Kingdom please contact the following to ask for their support and help with the immediate release of Stephen:

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Prisoners Abroad
Reprieve
Fair Trials International
Amnesty International

For more information please email steve.ozgurluk2015@yendex.com

COMMITTEE FOR STEVE KACZYNSKI’S FREEDOM- ENGLAND

Stop the isolation torture of revolutionary prisoners! (Germany/France/Switzerland/Greece)

REDACTION: UPOTUDAK has published a statement about the revolutionaries who were arrested in the operations against the Confederation of Workers from Turkey in Europe (ATIK) and New Woman (Yeni Kadin). Upudotak made a call to demonstrate in front of the prisons, send letters and expand the petition campaign. International Committee for Solidarity with Political Prisoners (UPOTUDAK) published a statement on the revolutionaries who were arrested in the operation against ATIK and Yeni Kadin which started with the German state and was extended to Switzerland , France and Greece. UPOTUDAK called for support to prisoners in isolation and asserted that the revolutionary struggle of ATIK members is just and legal.

“It is hypocrisy …”

UPOTUDAK stressed that calling ATIK’s activity ‘terrorism’ is not acceptable and drew attention to the isolation of prisoners observing: “The German government alleges itself an apostle for human rights and democracy but at the same time arrests our comrades, banning communication and visits, exercise, newspapers and books. These isolation conditions are nothing but hypocrisy.”

“The German state is supporting the Turkish Republic’s suppression of rebellion”

UPOTUDAK evaluated the treatment of the prisoners since 15th April as torture and said voices must be raised to remove isolation against the ten revolutionary prisoners and to struggle to put an end to this practice in prisons. UPOTUDAK noted that the prisoners have serious health problems as they were imprisoned by the Turkish Government. And the committee said that the German state detaining prisoners not for their political activities in Germany but on behalf of the Turkish state and MIT’s bogus intelligence is a major favor of the German state to the fascist Turkish government in its struggle to suppress resistance.

“We will not leave them alone“

UPOTUDAK said : “we should always be active to fulfill our mission and to express solidarity with prisoners. Let’s create mass public opinion by using our legal, democratic rights and turn the front of the prisons into places of protest, send letters to them, and expand the petition campaign.” 

UPOTUDAK gave the addresses of prisoners to write to, saying “we will not leave them alone”

Müslüm Elma

JVA Kempten
Reinhartser Straße 11
87437 Kempten (Allgäu)

Seyit Ali Uğur

JVA Augsburg
Karmelitengasse 12
86152 Augsburg

Musa Demir

JVA Landshut
Berggrub 55
84036 Landshut

Erhan Aktürk

JVA Nürnberg
Mannertstraße 6
90429 Nürnberg

Sinan Aydın

JVA Kaisheim
Abteistraße 10
86687 Kaisheim

Banu Büyükavcı

JVA München
Frauenanstalt
Schwarzenbergstraße 14
81549 München

Haydar Bern

JVA München
Männeranstalt
Stadelheimer Str. 12
81549 München

Mehmet Yeşilçalı

Planche Inferieure 12
1700 Fribourg /Schweiz

Sami Solmaz

Maison d’arret de chalon
Monsieur Solmaz Sami
1 ruelle Saint-Jacques
51000 Reims/France

(via signalfire)

Germany: Report about the hunger strike of Sadi Özpolat & Gülaferit Unsal

via 325 

Here in Germany two communist prisoners from Turkey, who had been sentenced according to the “antiterror-paragraph §129b”, achieved victories by means of long hungerstrikes: Sadi Özpolat starved 43 days and Gülaferit Ünsal 54 days. They fought against censorship, prison clothing and intimidation. They didn’t fight in the prison alone. Together with Gülaferit 6 other prisoners starved as well in solidarity.

Taken from one of our speeches (“Network of all political prisoners”, Hamburg) in front of the Berlin prison, where Gülaferit is jailed: (29.5.2015)

“This is a draconic assault to all prisoners. More than 100 yearly commit suicide, living under similar conditions as Gülaferit, without any hope and unwilling to vegetate isolated anymore.”

9 political prisoners of armed groups like RAF, who organised collective resistance against such conditions, didn’t survive in prison in the seventies and eighties.

Solidarity in prison:

At her last hunger strike day Gülaferit even went to thirst strike to underline her stoutness to stay starving until all of her demands had been fulfilled.

She was not alone in her fight; 6 other prisoners started a solidarity hungerstrike:

Ahmet Düzün Yüksel in Ratingen prison.

Muzaffer Dogan, Özgur Aslan, Sonnur Demiray and Yusuf Tas, waiting for trial in Stuttgart.

Özkan Güzel in Essen Prison. He went on solidarity hunger strike for Gülaferit and prolonged his strike insisting on not wearing prison clothing.

These solidarity hunger strikes show collective behavior. Its a signal to the class justice, that they will fight against the assault to their comrade! The 1st May call of political and resisting prisoners was a first step of collective resistance.

Reactions outside:

Most important were several actions in Berlin. There were rallies, demonstrations and solidarity hunger strikes all over Germany and other European countries. On the positive side to mention is the intensified cooperation of migrant comrades from Turkey and the local left.

Besides digital publications, appeared articles in newspapers and left radios. Because of this growing pressure even bourgeois parties at the end of the hunger strikes intervened for the strikers.

Certainly there could have been more support.

Reasons for missing solidarity were:

Fear of recognition

The communist mindset of the striking prisoners. On Linksunten Indymedia the missing solidarity was criticized from libertarian viewpoint. Worth mentioning is though, that many anarchist comrades were engaged.

Perspective:

Even if Gülaferit’s demands were “only” humanistic, for a long time Pankow prison and judiciary ignored the hunger strike. The question is why.

The position of the class-justice can only be understood, if we bring to mind the recent role of Germany. Turkey is an important partner of Germany and NATO.

That’s why left-wing Turkish comrades will be tackled, persecuted and criminalized for fighting this partnership. Currently the progressive journal “Yürüyüs” (long walk) has been banned in Germany, even if it is legal in Turkey.

Even bourgeois institutions accuse the German government to be racist. It is well established that the government with the help of secret services supported and protected the racist and fascist terror-gang NSU for years [Neo-nazi terrorist group]. The same government, that accept the drowning of refugees at the EU-borders, those who don’t have enough to live, because their countries have been plundered and destroyed by the German government.

Germany connotes itself as successor state of the “Third Reich” and as the most powerful European power which is at war all over the world together with its allies.

Fighting against this overwhelming power with lots of actions together with the prisoners we could win in the end.

We have to control the implementation of the demands. And the fight for freedom and liberation has to be intensified here and internationalised. Solidarity with the hunger strikes, for us this means bringing the battle into the “heart of the beast”.

Germany: Comrade Gülaferit Ünsal successfully ends her 54 day hunger strike

‪Berlin,‬ 29.05.15: Comrade Gülaferit Ünsal an activist from Turkey who was sentenced to 6.5 years in 2012 after being convicted under the draconian paragraph 129b law for allegedly collecting funds and organizing training for the militant left Turkish organization DHKP-C (Democratic People's Liberation Party-Front) has ended a 54 day hunger-strike after prison authorities finally relented and agreed to meet all of her demands.

Gülaferit was fighting for her right to have Turkish-language newspapers, magazines & books sent to her and for a campaign by prison authorities that involved them using violent prisoners to intimidate and harass her to end.

An agreement was signed by prison authorities in the presence of Gülaferit and her lawyer Canan Bayram. Canan stated afterwards that it was absurd that Gülaferit had to hunger strike for over 50 days just to get her basic rights as a prisoner.

Red Aid, the Network for Political Prisoners, Turkish organizations, anarchists, communists and autonomists all supported Gülaferit throughout her hunger strike visiting her many times and mobilizing every few days to stage public demonstrations in solidarity with her struggle.

The news of the successful conclusion to Gülaferit's hunger strike was met with much joy by her supporters, at the time of the announcement around 60 of them were demonstrating outside the jail.

Red Aid and other organizations and supporters will continue to provide solidarity for Gülaferit and of course will be monitoring the situation to ensure that the authorities stick to their agreement.

Freiheit für Gülaferit!
Freedom for Gülaferit!
Freiheit für alle Gefangenen!
Freedom for all prisoners!
Feuer allen Gefängnissen!
Fire to all prisons!
Solidarität ist unsere Waffe!
Η αλληλεγγύη είναι το όπλο μας!
Solidarity is our weapon!

Declaration (in German) from Red Aid Berlin

Turkey: Police attack Kobane solidarity protest, 2 anarchists among the arrested

24.05.15: Four comrades including two anarchists from Revolutionary Anarchist Action/DAF were arrested and one was injured during an attack by police yesterday in Kadıköy, İstanbul at a protest organised by the Construction Workers Union calling for a humanitarian aid and supply corridor to be opened to Kobane. 

Lat night people were waiting outside Kadıköy Rıhtım Police Station, they had been informed that those arrested will be kept in the station tonight and will be transferred to the Public Prosecutor following their refusal to give statements to police.

DAF said: "We will keep on fighting against the Turkish state's repression against Kobane. Long live revolutionary anarchism! Long live the Rojava Revolution!"

(via Anarşist Faaliyet and Workers Solidarity Movement Ireland)

Turkey: 16 year old political prisoner Sila Abalay released from prison

Some good news from Turkey! According to sources on Twitter, 16 year old political prisoner Sila Abalay has been released from prison! 

Sila was arrested on April 1st during the repressions that followed the attack on the Berkin Elvan prosecutor at the Istanbul courthouse by two young DHKP-C militants, Şafak Yayla and Bahtiyar Doğruyol. Sila was accused of being a member of a banned organization and of participating in armed actions and was placed in detention at the Bakırköy Women’s and Children’s Prison. 

Sila began a hunger strike on April 2nd demanding to be treated as a political prisoner and was promptly moved into solitary confinement by the authorities.

Sila faced court on May 22nd and according to reliable sources she was released from custody however we have no further details other than that she is now no longer in prison and is back with her friends and family. We will provide further updates on her court case and her release as soon as the information becomes available. 

Turkey: 16 year-old Sila Abalay on 37th day of hunger strike

Following the action in which Prosecutor Kiraz was taken hostage at Çağlayan Courthouse police carried out an operation in Istanbul’s Okmeydanı.  The operation took place on the 1st of April when Sıla Abalay was arrested in her neighbourhood.  The 16 year-old child prisoner was placed in detention alongside sentenced prisoners at Bakırköy Women’s and Children’s Prison.

Abalay began her hunger strike in custody after stating ‘Now that I am of legal age to be arrested, given that I am a political prisoner, put me with political prisoners’.  Since beginning her hunger strike on the 2nd of April Abalay was moved to a single cell.

Abalay, who was arrested at her family home and taken into custody was charged with ‘membership of an illegal organisation’.  Political prisoner Sıla’s health is deteriorating.

Lawyer Naciye Demir clarified that Abalay had been arrested on suspicion of taking part in an illegal event after being present at a press conference and stated that there was no reason why Abalay should have been arrested.

Lawyer Demir further added that whilst in custody, police verbally threatened 16 year-old Sıla with the same fate as Elif Sultan Kalsen who was shot in front of the police headquarters in Vatan, Istanbul, saying ‘We will kill you just like we killed her’.

(via isyandan.org)

Turkey: 24 people facing charges following Istanbul May Day repressions

Of the 336 demonstrators who were arrested following the May Day repressions in Istanbul 24 people have been charged with 'membership of a terrorist organization' and other related charges. All 24 comrades have are still in detention, the rest have been released. Since 2013 the Turkish state has banned May Day celebrations in Taksim Square, Istanbul. This year many demonstrators tried to access the square but were prevented from doing so by a large-scale repressive operation involving 20000 police. 

(via secours rouge)