Hunger strikes spread in Turkey’s prisons

Hunger strikes are spreading in Turkey’s prisons, where arbitrary and systematic violations of rights have increased unprecedentedly. 6 prisoners have launched a hunger strike in Afyonkarahisar No. 1 T Type Closed Prison.

According to information available, 6 prisoners have launched a hunger strike in Afyonkarahisar No. 1 T Type Closed Prison on January 3 to protest the raids on wards and the stand-up counting.

It is reported that the hunger strike has been carried out for two days by prisoners named Habil Emen, Yusuf Birkan, Yusuf Erkek, Mehmet Emin Dal, Siraç Keskin and Cumali Yıldırım.

Prisoners Cumali Yıldırım and Harun Paçal told their families during a visit to the prison about the violations of rights to which they have been subjected to.

In video footage shot in front of the prison after the visit, the families said: “Our children are subjected to torture in prison. Public opinion must take action to make our voices heard. Our children are in jeopardy right now. They are not safe.”

The families added: “Other groups will also launch hunger strikes. The prison administration had previously promised to meet their demands, but none of them was met.

ŞAKRAN

On January 4, prisoners in Şakran Women's Closed Prison started a 10-day alternating hunger strike to protest the violations of rights.

EREĞLİ

A hunger strike has been going on for months against the aggravated isolation and violations of rights in Konya Ereğli High Security Prison. The 10-day indefinite alternating hunger strike that had been launched on October 4 was turned into an indefinite non-alternating hunger strike on November 16.