The health condition of Didem Akman, who has been on death fast for 207 days with the request to be transferred from İzmir Şakran Women's Closed Prison to Sincan Women's Prison, is getting worse every day. Akman, who was taken to the Yesilyurt Hospital against her will with the decision of the prosecutor nine days ago, refused treatment. Akman's sister Ayten Akman stated that her sister's only request should be met as soon as possible and said, "I want my sister to be taken to a place where she can breathe."

 

'THEY ARE KILLING ME SLOWLY'

 

Warning that her sister's health is at a critical stage, Akman told that the condition in Şakran Women's Prison is less then desireable. Stating that her sister is being held in ward where they send people for disciplinary punishments, Akman said: "My sister is deprived of her basic rights and she haven't been able to breathe for the last 4 and a half years. She started the death fast because of these conditions. She told my mother she could have survived maybe 3 more years in these circumstances even if she hadn't start the death fast. If a person commits a crime, the state punishes them. But the state has to ensure their right to life while they are in prison. They have to provide the necessarry conditions for their right to life."

 

THE ONLY LIVING THING SHE COMMUNICATES IS A MOUSE

 

My sister said: "I can't breathe here. A mouse comes to my cell sometimes. I speak to him. He comes and makes some sounds. He is the only living thing I communicate with. I used to leave him breadcrumbs so he won't leave. But now that I am on death fast, I can't leave him food and he doesn't visit me anymore. I used to leave breadcrumbs on the window ledge for the birds. The last time I saw a bird it was February. We have 45 minutes to see eachother at the visiting hours. They do not let all of us in at the same time so we can see each other for only 20 minutes then my mother goes in and see her for another 20 hours. It is not possible for us to go in together in Şakran Prison."

 

Stating that the prison administrators in Şakran are handpicked, Akman reminded that 2 more people had started a death fast recently. Akman said: "If people are risking their death to tell something, there is something that is very wrong there. Holding the Ministry of Justice responsible, Akman said: "Do you have the authority to hold people in a small cage all their lives? If you do, you are responsible for their death. My sister is ready to end the death fast if she is transferred to Sincan Prison."

 

Akman called on the Ministry of Justice to accept her sister's request to be transferred to the Sincan Women's Closed Prison and said: "Please transfer my sister to the prison she wants. Please don't turn a blind eye on her. You never know who needs justice. Those who are blind may have to seek justice for themselves tomorrow."

 

MA / Esra Solin Dal