Kurdish politician Aysel Tuğluk has been released from prison. She was kept in jail for 6 years despite having been diagnosed with dementia and despite the reports saying she could not stay in prison. After her release, the situation of all ill prisoners came onto the agenda. There are 618 seriously ill prisoners in Turkey and Bakur Kurdistan jails.

Speaking to ANF, TUHAY-DER co-chair Edibe Babur said that although Aysel Tuğluk's release is welcome news, it is not sufficient. “There are hundreds of ill prisoners like Tuğluk and her release should be a precedent. All ill prisoners must be freed. They have the right to be treated in a proper environment and to continue their lives. These people are really left to die. Some of our friends died shortly after being released from prison. Our call to the Ministry of Justice is to comply with the law and release the ill prisoners immediately."

Many prisoners are suffering from dementia

Babur said: “We do not have a precise number, but we know that there are many prisoners suffering from dementia. We currently have 618 ill detainees. Their families and lawyers also confirmed this. The voices of ill prisoners are not heard and our approach to ill prisoners should be more sensitive. It is a very sensitive issue and we will continue to stand by our ill prisoners.”

Problems with meals provided

Babur continued: “There is torture in all prisons. There are prisoners held in the cell because they oppose the standing count. They beat the prisoners to death. They tortured prisoners in Van High Security jail. Again, the prisoners who remained in T-Type sent us news about torture through their families. Even meals provided in Van prisons violate the standards.”