The Amed Branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD) issued a written statement regarding the visit it made to Elaziğ Campus Prison.

The statement said: "Prisoners have denounced the fact that the phone handsets used to communicate with their families are non cleaned often and said this could also lead to the transmission of coronavirus in the prison. They added that during cell searches, about 5 guards enter the cells without respecting social distancing.”

The statement added: "The prisoners said that, during a general search 3 weeks ago, a prisoner named Yusuf Acinoğlu was physically attacked by the guards; they filed a criminal complaint to the prosecutor's office on this issue."

The statement continued: "The prisoners stated that they acquired personal cleaning and disinfectant materials with their own means during the pandemic process, and that the shaving machine was not given to them due to the pandemic. For this reason, it was learned that they used razors for hair and beard shaving. They reported that sports and social activities were suspended due to the pandemic.”

The female prisoners interviewed stated that they continued to be handcuffed during the transfer to the hospital. Apart from this complaint, they stated that the meals were of poor quality, the air time was reduced by half, and the right to talk for 10 minutes with 2 different telephone numbers per week was changed to 20 minutes with a single number after the pandemic. In addition, there were complaints about the canteen prices, too high.”

The IHD also established that protective measures were The Human Rights Association visited Elaziğ Campus Prison and said that no measures are taken to not taken to effectively counter the threat of Covid-19 epidemic in the prison, and the allegations of torture and ill-treatment previously reported in prisons continued.

The IHD also listed what needs to be done as follows:

"Cleaning supplies should be given to prisoners urgently and free of charge. Areas allocated to prisoners' use should be disinfected daily.

Handcuffing prisoners during hospital referrals should be abandoned. Considering the pandemic conditions, it should be noted that this practice increases the risk of disease transmission.

Telephone restrictions should be lifted; necessary facilities should be provided for prisoners to engage in sports and social activities. It is necessary to investigate the allegations of torture and ill-treatment exposed by the prisoners and take the consequent disciplinary measures against the personnel involved in them.”