The Human Rights Association (IHD) held a vigil for ill prisoners in 30 cities on Thursday under the slogan ‘We defend life’.

“All branches of the IHD have launched the vigil ‘We defend life’ to react to the situation of ill prisoners who have been denied release on probation, right violations in prisons and extended imprisonment times” said Öztürk Türkdoğan, the co-chair of the IHD.

Nuray Çevirmen, a member of the IHD Central Executive Board, added: “What we demand for ill prisoners is justice, not mercy or a favour.”

Ankara

The vigil began with the participation of the IHD co-chair Öztürk Türkdoğan and HDP Kocaeli MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu. The activists displayed a banner reading “We defend life, ill prisoners should be released”, and carried pictures of Garibe Gezer and Vedat Erkmen, who suspiciously died in prisons, and other ill prisoners.

Türkdoğan underlined that many gang leaders were released thanks to the measures promoted during the coronavirus pandemic, while political prisoners, like Aysel Tuğluk, have still been held in prisons.

Recalling ill prisoner Halil Güneş who recently lost his life in prison, Türkdoğan said: “Ill prisoners should be released no matter what crime they have committed.”

The HDP Kocaeli MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu condemned the insensitivity of public opinion and the mainstream media against the torture and violations of rights in prisons.

Amed

The vigil launched by the IHD Amed Branch was attended by HDP Deputies Dersim Dağ and Pero Dündar as well as HDP Provincial co-chairs Zeyat Ceylan and Gülistan Atasoy, and families held a justice vigil at the Amed Bar Association office. Pictures of ill prisoners Halil Güneş, Celal Şeker, Abdürrezzak Suyur, Mehmet Ali Çelebi, Vedat Erkmen and Garibe Gezer, who lost their lives in prisons, were hung on the walls at IHD office.

Co-spokesman of the IHD Prisons Commission Ercan Yılmaz asked for urgent action in order for ill prisoners to be released.

Members of the Amed Bar Association Executive Board and the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) Provincial Coordination Board (IKK) paid a support visit to the vigil.

Izmir

The vigil launched at the IHD office was supported by the HDP Provincial co-chairs, Peace Mothers, Izmir Branch of the Democratic Alevi Association (DAD) and Public Employees Trade Unions (KESK) Izmir Branches Platform.

Mardin

The IHD Mardin branch launched a vigil at the HDP provincial headquarters. The activists held a press conference in front of the IHD office. Recalling 7 ill prisoners who died in the last one month, Feyzi Adsız, Co-chair of the IHD Mardin Branch, said: “With the coffins coming from prisons, our consciences have been buried in graves.”

HDP provincial and district administrators and members of the Mardin Bar Association Executive Board paid support visits to the vigil.

Van

The vigil was launched at the IHD Van Branch office. The activists read the joint statement prepared by the IHD Central Office, and displayed a banner reading “Ill prisoners should be released”.

Hakkari

The vigil held at the Hakkari branch of the IHD was supported by many democratic organisations. The activists read a joint statement.

Adana

The vigil launched by the IHD Adana Branch was supported by the representatives of the TJA, HDP, DBP, TÖP, AYKAY-DER, AATUHAY-DER, as well as a large number of residents. The activists hung a banner on the wall, saying “Since the beginning of 2020, 64 ill prisoners have lost their lives! Ill prisoners should be released!”