Human Rights Association Diyarbakır (Amed) Branch has held a press conference on Friday to highlight the condition of ill prisoners in Turkish jails.

Speaking at the press conference in front of Diyarbakır E Type Closed Prison, Branch Chair Raci Bilici reminded of the recently released IHD report which said that there are currently a total of 413 ill inmates in Turkish jails. He noted that among these prisoners 122 were facing the risk of death, 108 needed to be released urgently to receive proper medical treatment outside prison, 115 needed urgent care not provided by prison administration and 68 others suffered from various diseases.

Bilici criticized the Ministry of Justice and the government for ignoring the situation of ill prisoners and turning a deaf ear to the demands of prisoners.

Bilici called on the Ministry of Justice and other relevant authorities to enable the urgent release of ill inmates and to take an urgent step in this respect before more prisoners die in jails. Bilici also called the public, institutions, establishments, intellectuals, writers and scientists to raise their voice against the affront to humanity.