On 14-3-2022, Mr Dimakis, a prisoner in Korydallos prison, went on a hunger and thirst strike for the third time, protesting the restriction of his right to education (see more on the strike in 2018 here, and in 2020 here). Dimakis has only 2 classes left to pass in order to complete his degree, but whilst classes at his university began on 28 February, the three member board responsible for granting permits for educational leave were, he says, refusing to accept his application for a leave permit. He claims that they were creating artificial obstacles, making it difficult for prisoners to study.
Dimakis also complains that: a) he was not allowed to attend the exams at the end of the winter semester, b) the same thing happened to his fellow prisoner, Mr. Anagnopoulos, when he attempted to submit a similar application for educational leave, c) two other prisoners also went on hunger strike “as a sign of support for our just struggle for our right to education.” (d) prisoners’ requests for use of the “bracelet” (i.e. the electronic surveillance device) without charge are rejected repeatedly despite the fact that the legislator clearly states that if prisoners are unable to cover the costs, the state will do so.
On 15-3-2022, Dimakis’ application for leave was submitted to the three-member disciplinary council and was accepted. He was told the delay was due to a mix-up, and he stopped the hunger and thirst strike. Once again, however, in order to exercise his guaranteed right to education, he risked his life.
On this occasion, Dimakis violated the terms of his leave and did not return to prison after his class. However, this does not affect the overall right of prisoners to education and can not “justify” the fact that this man was driven on three different occasions to go on a hunger and thirst strike in order to exercise his right to education (see this statement from Dimakis bout his disappearance, and the 20-3-2022 article from the Initiative for the Rights of Prisoners). After all, the observance of the conditions of the permit concerns the prisoner individually, while the respect for prisoners’ rights by the state is an obligation, as well as an important component of adherence to the rule of law.
The imposition of a penal sentence serves specific purposes, which includes rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Whilst the individual is deprived of their right to liberty, the state still has an obligation to ensure the effective exercise and protection of their other rights, such as the right to education.
In a state governed by the rule of law, therefore, state authorities must respect and ensure the rights of prisoners, without prisoners having to fight for the rights they are entitled to.
In this case, the prisoner V. Dimakis went on a hunger and thirst strike for the third time, endangering his life, in order to secure his right to education.
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