The Human Rights Association (IHD) launched a vigil called "We Defend Life" in 30 cities to raise concern over the suspicious deaths and the worsening situation of seriously ill prisoners in Turkey’s prisons. Several institutions, non-governmental organizations and political party representatives visited the vigil carried out in the Ankara branch of the IHD.

'ISOLATION IN IMRALI PRISON SPREAD TO ALL PRISONS'

Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) Ankara City Council co-spokesperson Fikret Çağlayan stated that the government is perpetuating an oppressive regime through a crackdown in prisons which leads to deaths. “The oppression and isolation in prisons is getting deeper,” he said.

Çağlayan underlined that the isolation that started on Imrali has spread to all other prisons and that opposing the isolation should be kept on the agenda. “We should consider the vigil protest initiated by the IHD as a beginning, and we, as HDK, will continue to contribute to this process,” he added.

'WE SHOULD SUPPORT THE VIGIL'

Ahmet Keleş, chair of the Agriculture and Forestry Workers Union (TARIM ORKAM-SEN), said that governments maintain legitimacy through prisons. “It is thus necessary to protect and endorse this action initiated by the IHD. We should be more sensitive to prisons which have become a source of serious concern,” he said.

'ENEMY LAW AGAINST PRISONERS'

“There are a huge number of inmates in Turkey and a significant part of them is made up of political prisoners. Turkey has the highest number of inmates in Europe. Under very difficult conditions, prisoners are facing an enemy law,” Socialist Refoundation Party (SYKP) Central Executive Committee member Halit Elçi said.

Elçi emphasized that sick prisoners are even prevented from spending their last days with their families. “It is a fascist, inhumane practice. It is a duty for all democratic mass organizations and socialists to oppose this," he noted.

'LET'S EMBRACE THE VIGIL'

“Many political prisoners have lost their lives in prisons. They were not given medicines and died because their rights to health and treatment were denied. It is therefore necessary to embrace the ‘We defend life’ justice vigil. It is not possible for sick prisoners to live under the terrible conditions in Turkish prisons. Sick prisoners should be released immediately,” said HDP Ankara provincial co-chair Vezir Coşkun.

“We will continue our efforts to organize conditions in which prisoners can live freely and enjoy their freedom,” Health and Social Service Workers Union (SES) co-chair Hüsnü Yıldırım said.