Tayfun Kahraman writes from prison: 'Either all together, or none of us'

Dr. Tayfun Kahraman, a convict in the Gezi Park trial who sent a letter to the Birgün newspaper, said, "While social justice is struggling for its life, the wound of imprisonment does not scab over, and every day spent deprived of freedom only deepens the longing."

In his letter, Kahraman stated, "In this environment created by a government that tries to isolate everyone and bring them into line through force and pressure, we do not have the luxury of leaving anyone alone. The path of reason is clear: we have no choice but to defend the togetherness of 86 million people and to meet on common ground. We must come together to stand against poverty, against negligence that turns into disaster, and to say stop to unlawful trials and arrests, in order to defend our rights."

Saying, "In these times when injustices have become so sharp and painful, our imprisonment continues to be a part of this picture of lawlessness," Kahraman added the following in his letter:

"While social justice is struggling for its life, the wound of imprisonment does not scab over, and every day spent deprived of freedom only deepens the longing. Despite the truth that everyone knows and that stands as clear as day, this imprisonment, which has lasted for years without any evidence or legal basis, hurts us. The time spent behind iron bars is stolen from our lives, our loved ones, our families, and our children.

As for us, we do not give up on hoping for and striving toward free days when our country will attain justice and 86 million people will live in equality and peace. We will come together to establish rights, law, and justice on behalf of us all, and to rewrite our social contract—the guarantee of a free life—all together; as we walk without stopping, we will certainly reach this goal. Either all together, or none of us."