Diyarbakýr Prison, the site of the worst cases of torture during the 1980 military coup, should be converted into a museum of human rights rather than being demolished, Turkish Culture Minister said.

Turkish minister Ertugrul Gunay said the prison is still in use by the Justice Ministry but once emptied he may consider to convert the prison to a museum.

He said he gives great importance to the project as Diyarbakir Prison is one of the symbols of resistance against 12 September court.

Thousands of innocent intellectuals were brutally tortured or killed in this prison in Diyarbakir during the post-1980 period simply for expressing their opinions. Some committed suicide to end the torture to which they were subjected.