Prisoners in the Van F Type Closed Prison say that the prison authorities use the punishment of solitary confinement whenever it pleases them, adding that they spend at least ten days of every month in solitary confinement.

Rights violations are continuing in the Van F Type Prison. The prison authorities use the punishment of solitary at every pretext. On account of being in solitary confinement inmates cannot take advantage of rights such as communication, visits and social activities. Around 60 prisoners have received such punishments for ‘going on hunger strike’ or ‘making a hole in the wall’. Prisoners have drawn the attention of the public to these measures through a letter.

'Every month we are put in solitary for at least 10 days’

The writer of the letter, Agit Aslan, said the prison authorities were using solitary confinement in an arbitrary way, adding that: "We are in solitary for at least 10 days a month."

‘They impose solitary confinement as a punishment for even a tiny hole’

Aslan said most solitary punishments were imposed for going on hunger strike or opening even the tiniest hole in block walls, adding: "By putting us in solitary the authorities are also punishing our families, because when you’re in solitary you cannot have visitors or make telephone calls. The authorities tend to send you to solitary when it’s the week for visiting."

‘We will not remain silent’

Aslan said they had gone on hunger strike for Kobanê, after which the prison authorities had put everyone in solitary, regardless of age. Aslan emphasised that they would not remain silent and would not allow the prison authorities to intimidate them.