Covid-19 Regional Crisis Coordination issued a written statement drawing attention to the situation in prisons.

The statement referred to the death of Mustafa Koçak after 297 days on death fast. "Grup Yorum has demands that could easily be fulfilled. They could be met. The ruling government leaves people in prison under the injustice causing families to suffer."

The statement said: "The cases of Covid-19 confirmed in Şakran, Buca and Bafra prisons, have shown that our concerns are justified since the beginning of the process."

What needs to be done

The statement continued: "The pandemic threatens prisons. Sick and old prisoners should be released. Releases should begin as soon as possible to treat ill prisoners in more hygienic conditions. It is not legally acceptable for prisoners to be subjected to punishments affecting call rights of prisoners. 

The sale of cleaning products at prices 2-3 times higher than usual during the Covid-19 pandemic process affects both prisoners and families. During this process, sufficient amount of cleaning products should be given free of charge.

Scientists point out the importance of a good and healthy diet as one of the measures to counter Covid-19. However, the meals provided in prisons are of such a low quality that it would make even a healthy person sick.

Some of the severely ill prisoners are held in solitary confinement in single wards because they are considered 'dangerous'. This is an inhuman attitude and should be abandoned."

Call to the public opinion

The statement ended with a call to people and democratic groups; "Our legal struggle is part of our democratic struggle. However, we would like to underline once again that today thousands of prisoners' lives are in great danger because of the risks posed by the pandemic. The people, democratic mass organizations, human rights organizations, political parties should show sensitivity and be in solidarity with prisoners' families."