The hunger strike that the prisoners started on November 27, demanding the physical freedom of PKK Leader Abdullah Ocalan and the solution of the Kurdish issue, continues on its 114th day. On the one hand, psychological pressure is applied against the ongoing hunger strike activists in prisons, and on the other hand, their fundamental rights are denied by giving disciplinary punishments on fabricated grounds.

 

Lawyer Rezzan Gezer, a member of the Prisons Commission of the Free Lawyers Association (OHD) Istanbul Branch, spoke to our agency about the rights violations and demands of the prisoners on hunger strike.

 

'THEY WILL CONTINUE'

 

Stating that the hunger strike continues with new participants, and the prisoners insist on their action until their demands are met, Gezer said: “There is currently an intense participation in the current strike and it continues alternately between each ward every 15 days. While the action was expected to end on February 15, the prisoners postponed the action until April. Now they have stated that they will continue the protest until their demands are met." 

 

'THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO SUBMIT THEIR WILL'

 

Emphasizing that prison administrations resort to oppression and human rights violations and that this is continued with psychological torture, lawyer Gezer said: “Disciplinary investigations in prisons continue by searching for rights tenders. However, in recent times, they want to get results through psychological pressure rather than physical pressure on the prisoners. After the hunger strike, the guards position the prisoners at an angle where the camera can see them while they are given vitamins B12 and other needs. Another violation is that during our last visit to Bakırköy Women's Closed Prison, the prisoners stated that there was pressure to remove their shoes before and after the lawyers and family meetings."

 

DOCTORS ARE PARTICIPANT IN VIOLATIONS

 

Pointing out that the rights violations against prisoners are not limited to these, Gezer said: “In addition to all these, there are ongoing disciplinary investigations, and social activities of prisoners are banned for fabricated reasons. We receive information that solitary confinement has increased, especially in Bakırköy Women's Prison, and that ward searches have become more frequent, with items being searched by throwing things around. Another issue is that the infirmary doctor does not take care of the prisoners, although they should go to the infirmary once a week and approaches them with the perspective of 'I can take the patient I want', although this is a critical situation, it is also a violation of rights."

 

'THEY WANT TO CREATE AN AWAKENING'

 

Adding that they expect awareness from the public about the actions of the prisoners, lawyer Gezer continued as follows: “Today, those who raise the loudest voice against any rights violations in prisons are the families of the prisoners and the organizations that care for the prisoners. The reason why the prisoners started the hunger strike is also to create an awakening and reaction in the whole society. In previous hunger strike actions and in the current action, prisoners are starting hunger strikes because they see this as the area where they can find the fastest solution."

 

'THEIR DEMANDS CONCERN THE SOCIETY'

 

Drawing attention to the demands of the prisoners, Gezer said: “The main demands of the prisoners were to end the isolation imposed on Abdullah Ocalan and to provide family lawyer meets, to release ill prisoners, to have equality in executions for political prisoners, to end the violations of rights in prisons. These demands are also demands that concern all humanity and problems that concern every region of Turkey.”

 

CALL TO ACTION

 

Underlining that hunger strike actions in prisons will have critical consequences if they continue, Gezer made the following call to relevant institutions and authorities: “It is necessary to announce to the whole public that the isolation is not only on Abdullah Ocalan. The pressure and isolation on Mr. Abdullah Ocalan and the prisoners must now end. We need to move beyond the concept of making people pay and paying. The life and health of the prisoners inside may have dangerous consequences. That's why we call on all non-governmental organizations and parties to hear the voices of prisoners."