Families coming from different cities of Kurdistan read a statement in front of Tekirdağ Prison to draw attention to the prisoners who are on hunger strike there to protest the lack of life security and rights violations. Many relatives of the prisoners as well as Vedat Ece and Eda Önal from the Freedom Lawyers Association (ÖHD) attended the protest against the prison administration.

Rutbettin Ucakan, brother of prisoner Mehmet Süleyman Ucakan, said that 12 prisoners went on hunger strike on 17 January. He added that the prisoners are on an indefinite and irreversible hunger strike because "in addition to the aggravated conditions of execution with the changes to the rules, the isolation imposed on political prisoners, under the pretext of the pandemic, has deepened even further. Prisoners' right to life in prison, prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, the right to health, the most fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by national and international legislation such as the right to communication, the right to personal security and freedom, and the right to defense are violated.”

'Prisoners fear for their life'

Reminding that Vedat Erkmen lost his life in prison on 19 December 2021, Ucakan said: "As another prisoner attempted suicide and the physical and psychological violence inflicted on them by the guards, in other words, the torture, increased. The prisoners said that they feared for their lives. The director of the institution responsible for the administration of the prison does not meet with the prisoners."

Ucakan noted that the prisoners are on hunger strike for the violation of their basic rights, their right to life.

The prisoners’ demands

Ucakan called for the violations of rights and isolation in the prison to be lifted and added that among the demands of the prisoners " is the end of physical and psychological pressure, torture and ill-treatment in prison. Ending the movement of prisoners between cells. Stop strip searches. Ensuring the opportunity for prisoners to participate in activities such as sports and social activities in line with their wishes. Giving periodic publications and communication tools such as books, letters, newspapers and magazines. They demand to have an interlocutor they can apply to against the violations they have experienced in prison."

Stating that the demands of the prisoners are the rights guaranteed by the national legislation and international conventions to which Turkey is a party, Ucakan said: "The state and all relevant units of the state have the responsibility to fulfil these rights equally and without discrimination. Although applications were made to the relevant institutions of the state through deputies and the families of the prisoners, all of the applications were left unanswered. The administration of Tekirdağ F Type Prison No. 2, the General Directorate of Prisons and the Ministry of Justice are responsible for all violations in the prison. For this reason, we invite all those responsible to fulfil their duties."

After the statement, ÖHD lawyers Vedat Ece and Eda Önal went to the prison to meet with their clients and the prison administration.