Women prisoners in Bayburt denounce heavy harassment

Arbitrary practices, threats and pressures against female political prisoners have increased in Bayburt M Type Women's Closed Prison.

According to information received from prisoners themselves, political prisoners in Bayburt M Type Women's Closed Prison are being heavily harassed.

The prisoners, who have been banned from participating in social activities for two years, are now forced to go outside one cell at the time.

Prisoners said that before being let outside they had to pass in front of three unidentified plain clothes personnel who kept threatening the women.

In addition to verbal abuse during the count, it was reported that sick prisoners are either not treated or brought in handcuff to the hospital.

A prisoner named Mülkiye Doğan is not being treated even though she is suffering from toothache for two years. Prisoners named Meryem Abi, Zeynep Erdem and Neslihan Çetin also have health problems and are not treated, and referrals were made too late.

Prisoners told their families that ill prisoners are taken to hospital in handcuffs and that doctors are hesitant about taking them off.

Harassment and pressures also involved the prohibition of several items, for example colored pencils, only blue and black pencils are allowed. Letters in Kurdish cannot be written. And if the letter contains just one sentence in Kurdish is not delivered.

During the frequent cell searches, personal items are damaged and seized, including photos, said prisoners.