Attorney Fatma Demirer gave information on the condition of the prisoners on hunger strike and said: “We know that our client Şirvan Bilik spat blood. And Zana Yatkın said he had problems focusing.”
The indefinite irreversible hunger strike by 278 prisoners in 29 prisons in Turkey and Kurdistan continues. The hunger strike in Şakran Prison has reached day 62. Attorney Fatma demirer met with the prisoners on hunger strike in Şakran Prison gave information on the visit. Demirer pointed out that the prisoners’ mobility has been seriously hindered and added: “During the visit, we notice differences in the level of hearing and comprehension. Other than that, the issues they experience are dizziness, headaches and sleep irregularities. They sleep for 3 or 4 hours the most, which shows the seriousness of the situation.”
UNETHICAL APPROACH BY DOCTOR
Demirer said the doctors only visited the prisoners twice and added: “The medical personnel visit often. These are nurses or medics, who measure the pulse and weight loss. They don’t do anything else. The doctors have a derogatory attitude, especially towards men. For instance, when the prisoners talk about their health issues, the doctor told them that he ‘also (has) those issues’. It is not ethical to say that to a person who has been on a hunger strike for two months.”
“ŞİRVAN BİLİK SPAT BLOOD”
Demirer said the prisoners’ weren’t allowed any publications either and continued: “They have one companion each. They drink as much fluid as possible. They need to conserve their energy, and they are aware of that. We know that our client Şirvan Bilik spat blood. Özkan Yaşar can’t go down the stairs for medical checks so the medical personnel goes up to him for his measurements. Zana Yatkın said he had trouble focusing. He said while he writes, he sometimes blanks and can’t think of the words. He is in T2. A sore came up on his face. Women have high pulse and tachycardia at this phase.”
Fatma Demirer said the prison administration visited the prisoners on day 10 of the hunger strike and told them, “Tell us what the issue is and we will solve it, stop the hunger strike.” Demirer continued: “The prisoners listed their demands, then the administration told them the İmralı Prison demand was above their heads. But for the other demands, namely the situation inside the prison, nothing was done afterwards. Bringing in books from the outside is banned. They have issues with identity. They can’t have any activities.”
