HDP Ağrı Deputy Dirayet Dilan Taşdemir drew attention to the fact that violations, usurpation of rights and torture of prisoners became systematic.

Speaking to ANF, Taşdemir said that the situation in Turkish prisons has never been traceable, transparent and according to human rights, and added: "These indescribable practices are increasingly happening in prisons. They are becoming systematic. If the same unlawfulness is repeated in almost all prisons, this is a systematic policy of repression. This is not something to be explained by certain prison directions and staff. It is about the policies of the government. It is the more severe version of the policy of repression of society carried out outside, in prisons. All constitutional rights have been usurped and the prisoners are forced to resist it.”

Noting that there is no law or obligation to impose a standing count, although this practice has been insistently imposed in recent days, Taşdemir said: “Prisoners have international rights as to visits, time to socialize, sport, receiving books etc... These rights are recognized in the Penal Code, but constantly violated. Arbitrary reasons are given, and when prisoners protest, guards resort to violence. They demand their rights, they object, and now they have a court within the prison. The court has already given a sentence, but the Prison Monitoring Board established a new court. They ask the prisoners, 'Are you a member of the organization?' They ask this to prisoners who have spent 30 years inside, and when they do not get the answer they want, they continue to keep them in prison. This is completely arbitrary. The AKP-MHP is taking revenge on political prisoners. We got to the point in which when their families send money, they are punished for "aiding and abetting an illegal organization".

Torturers wearing suit

Taşdemir continued: “According to the information we received through families and lawyers, plain clothes people who are not prison personnel appear in prison. These are gendarmes, not guards. They are wearing suits. They use different types of torture, such as forcibly making the prisoners stand for count. We asked the ministry about this, we submitted petitions, but no action was taken. Prison administrations do not talk to us. Political parties and democratic mass organizations need to be very serious about this issue and send observers. Human rights organizations and bar associations have a great responsibility.”

Taşdemir said that they frequently bring the tortures experienced in prisons to the agenda of the Parliament and put forward parliamentary questions. However “80% of our questions go unanswered.”