68 political women prisoners in Sincan Women's Closed Prison in Ankara sent a letter to the CPT, raising concern over the suspicious deaths in prisons and the increase in the number of prisoners sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment.

The letter addressed the death of Abdullah Oran (63) who was held in Sincan Prison for 2 years and died on March 19. The letter revealed Oran's death was recorded as a "heart attack", while the causes of deaths of the murdered prisoners were recorded as "sickness or suicide".

'THE STATE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERY DEATH IN PRISON'

The letter pointed out that the earthquakes in February and the election campaigns overshadowed the systematic torture in prisons. It continued: "As 68 political prisoners in Ankara Sincan Women's Closed Prison, we are deeply concerned about the situation in prisons, especially for the prisoners who are kept in solitary confinement. The state, which paves the way for more deaths and does not take precautions, is responsible for every death in prisons. More alarmingly, the systematic increase in deaths is an indication that there is a state policy that causes deaths. If this situation continues, deaths will spread over time and all of us, especially our friends who are kept in solitary confinement, will suffer the same fate.

'STOP DEATHS IN PRISONS’

We urge the CPT to stop deaths as soon as possible in prisons, to carry out the necessary investigations and prosecutions, and to inform the public about the situation in prisons that have become torture centres. Our most urgent request is that the CPT should stop these policies.”

68 women prisoners submitted the letter in Turkish and English to the CPT.