TUYAD-DER (Association of Solidarity with Prisoners' Relatives) Van Branch has held a press conference about the recently increasing violations of prisoners' right.

Making the statement on behalf of the Association, TUYAD-DER Van Branch Chair Ahmet Aygün remarked that the repression against inmates in Turkish jails has remarkably increased since the jailbreak of of 18 PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) inmates from Bingöl M Type Closed Prison on 25 September.

Aygün pointed out that two of the fugitive prisoners, Diyar Kaydu and Osman Kılıç, were assaulted after the prison break.

Aygün noted that 13 of the fugitives were subjected to arbitrary practices and orders during and after their transfer to Van F Type prison, and were placed in cells away from those of political prisoners.

According to Aygün, families and lawyers of the 13 inmates told that the fugitive inmates were being subject to an exceptional security policy and rude approach by prison officers.

According to the figures released by the Association, 55 inmates in Bingöl M Type prison were transferred to different jails after the prison break; 15 to Van F Type prison, 9 to Zile prison in Tokat, 19 to Kastamonu prison, 11 to Muş E Type prison and one to Bafra T Type prison in Samsun.

Aygün noted that 39 inmates in Van F Type prison have also been transferred to different jails in Muş, Kastamonu and Tokat between 14 and 28 September.

Prisoners in Kalkandere L Type jail in Rize have also been subject to pressure and disciplinary proceeding for objecting to the placement of security cameras in wards and other areas used by prisoners, Aygün added.

TUYAD-DER Van Branch Chair highlighted that the psychological pressure against inmates in the eye of the state was a policy aimed at breaking the organization of people, and warned that the Ministry of Justice would be responsible for the consequences this policy and racist approach may possibly lead to.

Aygün on behalf of TUYAD-DER called on the Turkish state to end the repressive policy against prisoners.