WAN - Stating that the isolation in all prisons, especially in Imrali, must be abolished, Doctor Hüseyin Yaviç said: "Absolute isolation is implemented in prisons. We are worried about the health condition of the prisoners."  

 

Prisoners in prison took the hunger strike action they started on November 27, 2023, for the physical freedom of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan and the solution of the Kurdish issue, to a new stage on April 4. Prisoners who ended their hunger strike continue their actions by not appearing in court and boycotting phone calls and family visits in order to draw attention to the conditions of Abdullah Öcalan. Human Rights Association of Turkey (TİHV) Wan Representation Application Physician Hüseyin Yaviç evaluated the ongoing actions in prisons. 

 

'ISOLATION GETTING DEEPER'

 

Stating that the isolation in Imrali has deepened and that both domestic jurisprudence and international law have been disregarded,  "The isolation policy has been gradually deepened in the prisons in Turkey since the 90s. Especially the Type F and High Security and the most recently built Type S prisons. Prisoners are isolated and absolute isolation is implemented. The state and the government are still trying to legitimize the July 15 military uprising and the epidemic period" Yaviç said.

 

'WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEALTH OF PRISONERS'

 

Pointing out that the situation in prisons negatively affects the health of ill prisoners, "There are hundreds of seriously ill prisoners in prisons. Failure to follow-up treatment, especially for ill prisoners, will cause serious health problems. In the future, the health aspect of the boycott will actually create serious health problems. Hundreds of ill prisoners have regular hospital and medication checks. We are concerned about the health condition of the prisoners. There are ill prisoners who cannot stay in prisons today. In this respect, nations and the international public must be sensitive to this process. Because it is a serious issue that seriously ill prisoners are abandoned to their own fate in prisons and the isolation policy being implemented is turning into permanent" Yaviç said

 

'WE FOLLOW THE PROCESS'

 

Stating that the isolation must be abolished immediately, Yaviç stated that they are following the process to meet the demands of the prisoners. Yaviç said: "The prisoners' demand is the most fundamental right in domestic and international law. Öcalan must meet with his family and lawyers. We demand that these demands be fulfilled. 

It is the Ministry of Justice that will accept the demands of the prisoners. But the authorized institutions do not give any positive or negative response to the actions and activities carried out for isolation for years. Turkish prisons have become a chronic problem in Turkey's record. The 'can stay in prison' reports issued by ATK also cause hundreds of corpses to be found in prisons. All institutions and citizens must show sensitivity on this issue."