HUMAN RIGHTS

Latest News

• Journalist Oruç exposes violation of rights in Patnos prison 

  Journalist Aziz Oruç is in Patnos L Type Closed Prison. He said that hot water is the most needed thing because of the epidemic risk. "We still take a shower with cold or lukewarm water in Patnos Prison."
• Prisoners say they are "left to die" 

  The Covid-19 pandemic continues to cause dead all over the world, yet the AKP-MHP government is continuing to keep political and sick prisoners in jail.
• "We're not asking for compassion, we're asking for justice” 

  Ibrahim Gökçek, a musician of the Grup Yorum band, who has been on death fast for 316 days, has addressed the public with an appeal: "Death can only be prevented if our demands are met.”
• IHD calls for seriously ill prisoner Adnan Yalçın to be released  

  The Human Rights Association (IHD) drew attention to the situation of Adnan Yalçın, who is in prison for 25 years and is seriously ill. The weekly 'F sit-in' took place virtually before of the coronavirus emergency.
• IHD calls for Multiple Skleroz prisoner to be released 

  The Freedom for Ill Prisoners Initiative drew attention to the situation of Yusuf Öğmen, who suffers from Multiple Skleroz (MS) and has a disability of 40 percent.
• Call for Grup Yorum Ibrahim Gökçek on his 314th day of death fast 

  Grup Yorum said: "Let's go hand in hand and make sure Ibrahim lives". Ibrahim Gökçek is on death fast and his condition is deteriorating fastly. His father, Ahmet Gökçek, asked for the artist' demands to be met.
• Sick prisoner: This could be our last conversation 

  The precarious situation in Turkish prisons has deteriorated dramatically with the Coronavirus pandemic. In addition to the great danger of infection, health care has also been further reduced.
• If coronavirus spreads in jails it won't be controlled 

  Covid-19 Regional Crisis Coordination warned: "If the epidemic spreads in prisons it won't be controlled." The coordination said prisoners should be released.
• Mustafa Koçak dies after 297 days on death fast 

  Mustafa Koçak, who has been on death fast for 297 days demanding a "fair trial" in Şakran No 2 T Type Closed Prison, has lost his life.
• Women unionists call for respect of children's rights 

  Unions issued a statement on children's rights on 23 April, children's day in Turkey.
• IHD says concern growing over prison conditions 

  Situation in prisons worsens because of coronavirus outbreak and lack of information.
• Prisoners are quarantined in isolation cells 

  Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul announced that three prisoners died in jail after they contracted coronavirus.
• HRW: Island camps in Greece not prepared for Covid-19 

  HRW stated that the Greek government’s neglect puts lives at risk.
• Seriously ill prisoner Kaya sent to prison once again 

  Sabri Kaya, an ill prisoner who has been sent back and forward from Osmaniye T Type T Closed Prison No. 2 to hospital after suffering a stroke, was sent to prison once again after 11 days in intensive care.
• Asrın Law Office calls on the CPT to act for Imralı 

  The Asrın Law Office representing Abdullah Öcalan and his three fellow prisoners on Imralı has called on the CPT committee to ensure that all necessary measures are taken on the prison island for protection from Coronavirus.
• Hunger Strike Delegation issues appeal to save death fasters 

  People are on hunger strike demanding the respect of fundamental rights, including the right to a fair trial, the prevention of arbitrary and illegal pressure and prohibitions, the freedom to make music.
• Prisoners say wards are not disinfected and masks are not given 

  Prisoners in various jails talked to their families about the rights violations they are subjected to.
• Prisoners say they are given a tea glass of detergent 

  Prisoners in Marmara Region jails conveyed their problems through their families. The prisoners are given detergent in a tea glass, the guards hold the count without wearing masks, and cleaning products are sold at exorbitant prices.
• IHD says prisoner Tekin Dönmez is in a very serious condition 

  Human rights defenders drew attention to the situation of Tekin Dönmez, a seriously ill prisoner, and stated that the AKP-MHP are leaving prisoners to face death.
• Prisoner Kaya should have been released 8 months ago 

  Eşref Kaya, who has been illegally in prison for 10 years , has not been released in the past 8 months because of the disciplinary penalties she has received.
• MED TUHAD-FED says violations in prison are growing steadily 

  MED TUHAD-FED confirmed that they have received numerous applications of rights violations from prisons. The association asked the demands of the United Nations be fulfilled.
• Prisoners in Kalkandere complain of symptoms of coronavirus 

  Umut Savaş Koçyiğit, who is held in Rize Kalkandere L Type Closed Prison, said that there were signs of coronavirus in 26 prisoners but nothing was done in the infirmary.
• Ill prisoner Temel says they are left to die 

  Mahmut Temel, who is held in Siirt E Type Prison and already suffered from two heart spasms, said that no measures have been taken against the coronavirus in prison. He added that they were subjected to arbitrary violations of rights.
• Prisoners face the pandemic alone 

  Emirhan Sağlam, father of political prisoner Zafer Sağlam, who has been held in a single cell for 11 days with symptoms of coronavirus in Silivri No. 5 Prison, said: "Our children were left alone with the epidemic."
• HDP deputy highlights the situation of four prisons 

  There is a belief that ill-treatment by prison staff against prisoners is related to the policy of impunity for these officers.