The pressure, torture and intimidation policies against ill prisoners are increasing in the jails of Turkey and Kurdistan. Most recently, following the attack on female prisoners in Şakran Prison, the rights violations have once again come to the agenda.

TUHAY-DER Van branch executive, Emin Şeker, who frequently visits the prisons, told ANF that rights violations have reached the highest level. He said: "Prisons have now become places where breathing is unbearable. Practices that make one think of the 12 September 1980 regime are being implemented. While some laws were followed even during the 12 September military junta, none of the laws are recognized now. There are practices that exceed the martial law period. Rights to painting, music, sports and visits are being completely violated. Social activities have been completely eliminated. Among the rights violations is the situation of ill prisoners. There are 1,500 ill prisoners in Turkey and 650 of them are seriously ill. They are not receiving treatment. In addition to handcuff examinations in the hospital, mouth searches are also performed. The officers who take prisoners over the age of 70 are taking them away by pulling their arms and this is torture."

‘Prison monitoring boards act like courts'

Şeker said: "The release of prisoners who are entitled to be freed is constantly postponed. Another court has been established inside prisons in addition to the real courts in the courthouse. There is a structure called the 'Prison Observing Board' and this board arbitrarily extends the sentences of prisoners. Prisoners who have been in prison for 30 years are asked questions such as 'Do you feel regret?' and their release is postponed because of the answer to such questions. Everyone needs justice and the law. There is systematic torture in prisons."

Double standards in prisons

Şeker also touched on the situation of ill prisoners over the age of 70-80 in prisons, and said: "Makbule Özer [who was freed last week after 254 days in prison] and Hanife Aslan, who were prisoners in Van, are over 80 years old and cannot even take care of themselves. These old women were constantly going to the hospital and were being taken away with their hands cuffed. This is neither conscientious nor humane. We are constantly meeting with the families of the two women and our call from here is for these 80-year-old women to be released from prison and put under house arrest or other "measures". A few months ago, dozens of people were released in the Hezbollah case by saying they were 'old', but our mothers are still being held in prison. This double standard must be ended."

'End the isolation in Imrali'

Emin Şeker said that the reason for the increase in rights violations in prisons is the isolation experienced in Imrali, and added: "If the gates of Imrali are opened, we believe socially and institutionally that with a message coming from there, the chaos experienced will end, the way will be opened for peace to come to the country and at the same time the rights violations in prisons will also end. The isolation in Imrali is a crime against humanity; the isolation is not only applied to Mr. Öcalan, the isolation in Imrali is reflected in all prisons. The gates of Imrali should be opened. No one should be subjected to such a practice. These isolation policies should be ended, they should be allowed to see their families and lawyers, and they should be given the right to make phone calls."