MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

Amed – In the last week, three sick prisoners died in Turkey’s prisons. While the rights violations against sick prisoners increase day by day, they are deprived of their many rights, particularly their right to health. The Justice Watch held by the families/relatives of sick prisoners and the prisoners, who are not released despite having completed their sentences, in four cities has continued for 10 months; however, the Ministry of Justice has kept silent against their demands. We spoke to several relatives of prisoners about the rights violations and deaths in prisons.

“The ministry does not hear the voices of mothers”

One of the relatives of prisoners, Safiye Akdağ told us that 44 sick prisoners died in prisons in eight months. Underlining that the rights violations faced by prisoners have reached a serious dimension, she said, “As everyone knows, three sick prisoners died in the last week. The families of prisoners have held the Justice Watch in four cities for 10 months to demand the release of sick prisoners and the prisoners, who are not released despite having completed their sentences. Until now, the Ministry of Justice and other authorities have remained silent towards the families’ demands; they haven’t heard the voices of mothers for 10 months. The families of prisoners have struggled for 10 months to demand the release of sick prisoners and the prisoners, who are not released despite having completed their sentences.”

“Isolation is imposed on prisoners”

Speaking about the hunger strike started by prisoners across Turkey to protest the rights violations committed against them, Safiye Akdağ told us that hunger strikers were also subjected to attacks and beaten. “Turkey abolished the death penalty years ago; however, not releasing sick prisoners means that they have been sentenced to death. Every day, prisoners face rights violations and torture. Sick prisoners are not treated; they are deprived of all their rights in prison. Isolation is imposed on prisoners. We call on all relatives of prisoners to struggle until all sick prisoners are released from prison. If they do not struggle, many sick prisoners may die.”

“Families have demanded justice for 10 months

“The families of prisoners have struggled for justice for 10 months despite all attacks,” said Dilek Diyar Özer, who is one of the relatives of prisoners. “The Ministry of Justice ignores the struggle of the families. The ministry should fulfill its duty and release the sick prisoners,” she added.

“The ministry should take a step”

Drawing attention to the recent deaths in prison, Dilek Diyar Özer said, “The number of people who died in prison in the last eight months is more than 40. Despite the recent attempts to release sick prisoners and ATK (Council of Forensic Medicine) reports, the sick prisoners are still kept in prison. The Ministry of Justice must take an immediate step to prevent more deaths in prison. We demand the immediate release of sick prisoners and the prisoners, who are not released despite having completed their sentences.”