Head of IHD (Human Rights Association) Istanbul Branch Gülseren Yoleri is preparing  a report on the violations of rights in prisons in the Marmara Region, spoke to ANF about the latest situation in the prisons.

Stating that meetings with  families and lawyers are restricted with the epidemic, and there are problems with sending and receiving letters, information about what happens in prisons is blocked, Yoleri said that they observe this obstacle still continues. Pointing out that books and magazines are still not allowed inside, although there is a relative relaxation in the meetings of  families and lawyers at the moment, Yoleri added that the interruption of communication with the outside has made the prisoners, whose body resistance should remain high during this corona period, more stressed and sick.

Yoleri unveiled that "If you don't have money, you can never receive cleaning supplies or masks. The issue is not about failures or mistakes in dealing with the pandemi. We are talking about a process in which the right to treatment is completely eliminated.

Yoleri emphasized that they are either not sent to the hospital or are subjected to quarantine alone because of  the pandemic. That's why prisoners don't even want to go to the hospital anymore.

Emphasizing that sick prisoners are now left to die as never before, Yoleri noted that the treatment conditions have been completely eradicated.

Considering that deaths in prisons have increased under these epidemic conditions, Yoleri underlined that all prisoners who are in the risk group and whose treatments are blocked should be released. Stating that the execution of convicts can be postponed and detainees can be released on condition of judicial control, Yoleri added, for the rest, barriers to access to treatment should be removed. The methods applied after referrals to the hospital should be in a human form. If the prison administrations wanted to improve the conditions in cooperation with the ministry, the conditions could be improved.