Derry Hunger Striker's son tends Turkey's death fasters
The Derry Journal, September 21, 2001
by Brendan McDaid
Inspired by his father's struggle, the son of Derry hunger striker Mickey Devine has revealed that he is currently tending to "death fasters" in Turkey after managing to enter the country earlier this week.
Michael Og Devine, son of Mickey Devine evaded detection by the Turkish authorities during the dangerous undercover mission and was able to slip into the homes of the hunger strikers, meeting with the protesters.
Describing himself as a "horse back rider" for those on Hunger Strike in Turkey, he has also been making appearances in local Turkish radio stations and newspapers to hit out at the events in Turkey.
Speaking from Turkey yesterday he said he was there to serve as a witness for the death fasters and to do whatever he could to win reforms that would enable the hunger strike to end.
Explaining the situation, Michael Og, who has been joined by two members of the IRSP National Executive said: "There is a state of siege here. We had to sneak in and if caught by the state we will get thrown out. Still, the death fasters are in good spirits despite the recent death and the attacks by the state on the hunger strikers and their supporters.
"So far 33 lives have been lost by political prisoners and their comrades demonstrating against the forced implementation of the so-called F-type prisons."
He added: "The Turkish government is clearly engaged in a war against its own people. Given the history of the region the near genocidal assault on the Armenians, the continued onslaught against the Kurds and these present attacks on Anatolian political prisoners and revolutionaries from a number of organisations within the Turkish left, it is a small wonder that the death fasters find themselves under a state of seige as well.
"But despite what set backs have been encountered the Death Fasters remain committed to their protest, a symbol and a great revolutionary principle. We horse back riders assist in giving the hunger strikers mobility and by visiting them, we bring hope."
Earlier this month the deputy Mayor of Derry, Colr. Peter Anderson, called on the people of the city booking holidays for next year to seriously consider boycotting Turkey as part of a Europe wide campaign to force the government there to change their policy towards prisoners.
Relatives of Turkish hunger strikers who met with the Deputy Mayor spoke of the horrific conditions under which their loved ones are placed. One men told the 'Journal' how women prisoners had been burned alive and others tortured, beaten and shot through their cell roofs.
Drawing parallels between the 1981 H Block Hunger Strike- during which Michael Og's father Mickey Devine and fellow Derry men Patsy O'Hara died - he said: "Our political prisoners are just seen as terrorists. What the Irish people suffered is similar to our plight. In 1981 Bobby Sands and his colleagues launched their resistance and in 1984 we did the same. Their hunger strikes in Ireland were a big inspiration to the Turkish prisoners. We watched it very closely. Political status had been removed and the prisoners decided they had to launch an action to get their rights back. The authorities have snatched away all their human rights.
"The European Union has said the prison conditions are compatible with EU regulations but they are similar to Long Kesh at its worst. The prisoners have no rights. In isolation they are tortured especially if they are continuing the hunger strike. They wait in cells and are taken out regularly and without warning beaten."
A spokesperson or the IRSP said that the party had committed itself "to doing all in our power to assist our Turkish sisters and brothers win their demands and once again assert our deep solidarity with the Death Fasters."
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