The issue of ill prisoners, which came to the agenda during the dialogue talks on the solution of the Kurdish issue in 2013, called the "Solution Process", and which the AKP refrained from taking steps, has come to the agenda again. There is no official data on the number of ill prisoners, who are not legally subject to any reason for their release, but whose release is prevented by the bureaucracy due to the government's policies on grounds such as security or "they can continue their lives in prison". According to the report released by the Human Rights Association (IHD) on 27 October 2024, there are 1,517 ill prisoners in prisons, 651 of whom are seriously ill. According to Ministry of Justice data, 709 prisoners died in prisons in 11 months of 2024.

 

Political parties and rights organisations in favour of a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue say that the situation of ill prisoners is a test of sincerity for the government in the negotiations. Hülya Ayık, Izmir executive of the Aegean Association of Families of Prisoners and Prisoners (EGE-TUHAYDER) and mother of journalist Devrim Ayık, one of the ill prisoners, said that the issue of ill prisoners is a test of sincerity for the government. Pointing to the talks with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, Hülya Ayık said that the government is still continuing its pressure and that bilateral steps should be taken in order for the developments to evolve into a process.

 

Stating that ill prisoners are the most important agenda of the country, Hülya Ayık emphasised that the treatment places for ill prisoners are not prisons but hospitals. Hülya Ayık said, "Ill prisoners are our bleeding wound. They need to be released as soon as possible and regain their freedom and right to life. We do not accept this issue to be made a subject of bargaining. Giving the release as a promise is a problem in itself."

 

HANDCUFF IMPOSITION

 

Ahmet Çiçek, Co-spokesperson of IHD Izmir Branch Aegean Region Prisons Commission, stated that violations against the treatment of prisoners are increasing day by day and their treatment is constantly interrupted. Çiçek pointed out that prisoners are forced to undergo strip searches and mouth searches and said: "Prisoners object to this practice because it is unworthy of human dignity. They do not accept the treatment and a note is made saying 'Prisoner refused the treatment'."

 

Referring to the situation of prisoners who lost their lives in prisons, Çiçek said, "62 percent of deaths are suspicious deaths. They say 'he committed suicide or had a heart attack'. Is it normal for a person in a solitary cell to have a heart attack and die? These people die because of their illnesses because they are not treated. We know that many sick prisoners were released when they were about to die in prison so that they would not be called 'dead'. At this point, it is neither conscientious nor moral to wait for a process or to make it a subject of bargaining. Currently, all ill prisoners can be diagnosed if they want. When the report is analysed, it is already seen that these people cannot stay in prison."

 

EQUALITY PRINCIPLE

 

Pointing to the double standard applied in the release of ill and elderly prisoners, Çiçek said, "As İHD, we draw attention to the situation of one ill prisoner every two weeks. If only these statements were taken into consideration, these ill prisoners would be released immediately. Another issue is that the President has the authority to pardon ill and over-aged prisoners in prisons. But why is this pardon not applied to opposition prisoners who are old and ill? Why is there such a double behaviour? If this double standard was abandoned and everyone was treated equally, ill prisoners would be released. Execution laws can be amended. In addition to this, the administrative and observation board should be abolished, because this board postpones the execution of prisoners without knowing what and how it observes. This board has become a new tool of punishment and penalisation."