Med TUHAD-FED, the Federation of Legal and Solidarity Associations for Families of Detainees and Convicts, said in a statement that prisons have been damaged in the earthquakes that occurred in Pazarcık-Maraş on 6 February and in Elbistan-Maraş on 7 February and called on the Ministry of Justice to explain what happened and what the situation is.

The statement said: “While the families of the prisoners are struggling with the consequences of this tragedy, they are worried about the situation of their relatives in prison. The concerns of families are increasing because of the images published on social media and the statements of the Ministry. There is complete uncertainty in terms of the current situation in Türkoğlu, Elbistan, İskenderun, Hatay and Malatya Prisons. Communication between families and prisons has been cut off completely. While the ministry is expected to provide regular information on its official website, it remains silent.”

MED TUHAD-FED issued a call to the Ministry after lawyer visits were denied.

The association asked:

-A statement about the current situation in Türkoğlu, Elbistan, İskenderun, Hatay and Malatya Prisons. Damages to prisons should be made public. Information on how many prisoners lost their lives or were injured due to both earthquakes and other causes should be transparently disclosed to the public.

- The number of prisoners in these jails before the earthquake should be announced. It should be explained how many prisoners have been transferred to different places and whether the deportation will continue.

-Families should be informed about the transfer of detainees from Türkoğlu, Elbistan, İskenderun, Hatay and Malatya Prisons. The Ministry should take responsibility for informing families.

-The Ministry should provide clothing and all other basic needs free of charge for the prisoners-convicts who are transferred from Türkoğlu, Elbistan, İskenderun, Hatay and Malatya Prisons to different prisons.

-The Ministry should urgently set up a crisis desk in the earthquake zones and share the contact number of the desk with the families.”