Bayram Kaymaz, a 30-year prisoner in Tekirdağ Type F Closed Prison, spoke to his mother Medine Kaymaz (82) by phone on August 2. During the phone call, Kaymaz talked about the rights violations in prison. Kaymaz told his mother that prisoners who speak Kurdish are subjected to investigations and communication bans. 

 

(Medine Kaymaz)

 

BAN ON THE KURDISH LANGUAGE

 

Mother Kaymaz stated that there is a ban on the Kurdish language and said: “Prisoners are not even allowed to read their own magazines and books. My son said 'we are even prevented from reading books'. Their wards are raided in the middle of the night and everything is scattered. They do not let them rest. There is a great policy of persecution against prisoners in prisons." 

 

Mother Kaymaz stated that the phone was turned off before the call time was over and said that the interruption was because they were speaking Kurdish. She said: "Prisoners can call their families whenever the prison administration wants. Prisoners who speak Kurdish in prison are investigated. The same oppression against Kurdish and Kurds outside the prison is also taking place inside the prison. The chief responsible for all these violations is the prison director. The prison director is responsible for any problems that may befall the prisoners." 

 

RESPONSE TO PRISONER

 

Stating that she has been struggling for peace for a quarter of a century as the Mother of Peace, Kaymaz said: "We fought for people to live freely, for injustices to end, for prisoners to be released. But now everything is getting worse. Prisoners of 30 years are being forced to repent. After 30 years, what should they regret? They have spent their lives in prison, even if our children regret after this time, we will not accept it. We stand behind our children, we will not give up their struggle. These policies will not win anyone anything, they will lose. We expect more support from the public. Abdullah Öcalan has been held on an island for years. The biggest reason for the violations against our children is the isolation policy in İmralı. Despite this persecution and torture, our struggle against isolation will continue under all circumstances."