Human Rights Association (IHD) executive Nuray Çevirmen emphasized that the high risk of contracting the coronavirus in prisons continues. She said that the measures against the pandemic in prison are insufficient.

Speaking to ANF, Çevirmen said that the IHD's warnings and suggestions were not taken into consideration from the beginning and added: "Adequate measures have not been taken. There are statements from the Ministry of Justice and prosecution offices confirming coronavirus cases in many prisons already."

Çevirmen shared the information she received from families, lawyers and civil society organisations and said that all referred that the guards do not use masks and gloves during ward search or food distribution. She said prisoners are unable to obtain gloves and masks.

Prisoners are told that precautions have been taken only because a few soaps and a little bleach are given to them, Çevirmen said and added: "There is a great decrease in meal portions, it is given twice a day but in smaller portions. This is a factor contributing to lowering the immune system. In addition, information about how many Covid-19 cases are registered is not shared."

Recalling their repeated warnings that prisons are at high risk, Çevirmen continued: "Social distancing is impossible to implement. The wards are overcrowded: 15 people stay in a place designed for 6. Prisoners cannot make much use of cleaning facilities, there is a problem in accessing water and cleaning materials. There are ill prisoners who need to go to hospital periodically."

Çevirmen concluded: "The Law of Execution was not negotiated with civil society organizations, lawyers and political parties. People who have just tweeted or expressed their opinions, as well as journalists, politicians, mayors, that is, thousands of people are in prison only because of their political views.

Prisoners over the age of 65 and ill are still held in prison under these discriminatory policies. Thousands of prisoners are fighting for life in prisons."