DİYARBAKIR - Calling for the ill prisoners to "take care of prisoners" Imprisoned journalist Ömer Çelik said: "The louder our voices raise, the faster the walls of prisons will come down quickly."

 

Journalist Ömer Çelik, who was detained on June 8 in Diyarbakır and was arrested on the charge of "being a member in a terrorist organisation" with 15 of his colleagues on June 16, wrote about the violations of rights in Diyarbakır High Security Prison No. 2, where he was held.

 

THE PRESSURES ON THE PRISONS

 

The state, which goes beyond languages, cultures, beliefs etc and builds walls even between individuals, pours concrete on those who do not belong to it, turns the country into stone, and continues this persistently, is increasing its pressure day by day. We want to fill our time by reading books. But the limit brought is equal to only 10 books in two months. TV channels, on the other hand, do not have opposition channels. We want to read a newspaper, but even though the Constitutional Court says that "there is a violation" to the application made on such an application, Yeni Yaşam and Evrensel newspapers are not even answered. As there is no legal justification.

 

Electricity bills are a big problem in prison. Prison prices are constantly updated with the definition of the government and its media. In return for the use of a samovar, refrigerator and television, the electricity bill for August comes to 256 liras. In the scorching summer heat, the bills of the rooms that use a fan to cool down a bit can reach 500 TL. When we say we cannot pay, the invoice fee is deducted from the money in our account. As such; we are unable to develop a practical reaction and protest. We have to pay the electricity bill that you are forced to in these places where you are held by force.

 

I WILL CONTINUE TO DO MY JOB AS A JOURNALIST

 

Along with what I have listed, there are many problems in the situation of ill prisoners, extending to prisoners whose release has been postponed. The duty of the free press is to share these facts with the public. Even though I try to fulfill the duty of reporting from the scene of the crime, I will continue to do my job as a journalist. It is necessary to increase the sensitivity of the responsibility of those who have a conscience and pay attention to the prison. The louder our voices raise, the quicker and easier the walls of prisons come down..."