On March 18, the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, Let Us Grow the Struggle Against Solitary Confinement in Prisons!

On March 18, the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, Let Us Grow the Struggle Against Solitary Confinement in Prisons!
March 18 is a day of solidarity with political prisoners around the world, of raising our voices against ongoing
rights violations in prisons, and of growing the struggle for freedom. Today is not merely a remembrance of
past oppression and resistance — it is a call for common struggle against the injustices and massacres still
continuing behind bars.

Millions of people worldwide are deprived of their freedom because of their political views, identities, social
struggles, and dissenting stances. Political prisoners face torture, solitary confinement, arbitrary disciplinary
punishments, denial of access to healthcare, and treatment contrary to human dignity.

The Situation in Europe Is No Different
In many countries, migrants, revolutionary activists, and political dissidents are held in high-security prisons
under prolonged isolation conditions. In particular, solitary confinement systems applied under the names of
“high security” and “special regime” continue despite criticism from human rights institutions. Political
prisoners’ rights to visit with their families and lawyers are restricted, and their right to communication is
arbitrarily blocked.

Maja, who was sentenced to 8 years in prison in Hungary on 5 February, complained of numerous problems
including inadequate hygiene conditions, poor food, extreme cold in winter and extreme heat in summer,
insufficient lighting and ventilation in her cell — and it is clear that she will suffer further rights violations as a
result of her sentence. Likewise, many Turkish and Kurdish political activists in European prisons are subjected
to rights violations, most notably solitary confinement.

Attacks in Turkish Prisons Continue

Turkish prisons have long been on the agenda for systematic rights violations. Aggravated solitary confinement
practices, arbitrary disciplinary punishments, forced strip searches, bans on letters and books, denial of
medical treatment for sick prisoners, and administrative delays in releases are among the fundamental
problems of the prison system. Isolation policies applied especially in high-security prisons pose a serious
threat to the physical and psychological health of prisoners.

Women and LGBTI+ Prisoners Are Forced to Live Under Severe Conditions
Women and LGBTI+ prisoners in prisons face even more severe forms of discrimination and violence. Female
prisoners experience serious problems in many areas, from access to hygiene products to healthcare services.
The conditions to which pregnant women and women with children are subjected are clearly contrary to
international human rights standards.

LGBTI+ prisoners are often the target of discriminatory practices and systematic violence. Discrimination on
the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation, forced placement in solitary cells, denial of access to
healthcare, discontinuation of hormone treatments, and psychological pressure are widespread. Trans
prisoners are exposed to the risk of violence from both administrative pressure and other prisoners and staff.
Prisons are not spaces where human rights are suspended. Everyone deprived of their liberty has the right to
live in conditions worthy of human dignity, to access healthcare, to communicate, and to express themselves.
It is a social responsibility to be the voice of political prisoners, to grow solidarity against these rights
violations, and to fight against isolation policies in prisons.

Therefore, our demands on this year’s March 18 Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners are: Solitary
confinement is a crime against humanity and must be ended immediately worldwide. Rights violations in
prisons must be stopped immediately. Sick prisoners must be released so they can access their right to
healthcare. Discrimination and violence against women and LGBTI+ prisoners must end!

Freedom for All Political Prisoners!
The Struggle Against Isolation Is the Road to Freedom!