IRISH REPUBLICAN SOCIALIST PARTY PRESS RELEASE - PRESS RELEASE - PRESS RELEASE 31 July 2001 The following is the text of a statement supplied to the Republican Socialist Publicity Bureau INLA Statement Re: INLA POW's in Turkish solidarity hunger strike "The INLA are calling for immediate international action against the Turkish regime responsible for the deaths of over 60 political prisoners or their supporters. To this end the Irish National Liberation Army political prisoners in Portlaoise prison sought and were granted permission from the ruling executive for a five day solidarity hunger strike in support of the Turkish death fast prisoners. This hunger strike commenced at 00.01 am on Monday 30th July 2001. "The situation in Turkey's prisons is extremely grave and we would call on all nations to reject Turkey's full entry into the EEC until such time as the regime in Turkey ceases its appalling attack on the human rights of political prisoners. We also call for a boycott of all Turkish business interests including the Tourist industry in an effort to illustrate to the Turkish state that the political prisoners do not stand alone in this act of selflessness and courage. "The executive of the INLA take this opportunity to salute the courage of the republican socialist POW's in undertaking this action in international solidarity with the political prisoners in Turkey. They are following in the proud tradition of Vol. Kevin Lynch whose 20th anniversary occurs today 1 August, who along side his nine comrades gave their lives for political status in the H Blocks, Long Kesh. "This is not an action that they have entered into lightly, INLA volunteers have only engaged in one hunger strike that won political recognition in Portlaoise prison since the heroic sacrifice made twenty years ago in the H-Block, Long Kesh. "Remember the H-Blocks 1981 - Support the Turkish Deathfast 2001." ENDS REPUBLICAN SOCIALIST PUBLICITY BUREAU COSTELLO HOUSE, 392 FALLS ROAD, BELFAST, BT12 6DH Tel/Fax - 02890 330786
