MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

Riha– Several days ago, the prisoners at the Urfa No.2 T-Type Closed Prison were subjected to torture by about 80 wardens. The incident was heard when the relatives of prisoners applied to human rights organizations. Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) members went to the prison and talked to the prisoners about the claims. The lawyers learned that many prisoners were injured in the raid on the wards. The injured prisoners are reportedly denied access to health service by the prison administration.

“They are not safe in the prison”

Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) Urfa Branch Co-chair Ayşe Şehriban Demirel told us that they will prepare a detailed report on torture faced by prisoners in the upcoming days and that they will file a criminal complaint. “The prisoners are not safe in the prison,” Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) Urfa branch co-chair Ayşe Şehriban Demirel says the prisoners may face the same thing, “Rights violations in prisons have increased particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

“The pandemic is being used as an excuse for torture”

“We met the prisoners and they confirmed the torture against them. Urfa No.2 T-Type Closed Prison is one of Turkey's prisons, where prisoners face more rights violations and problems. The prison administration continues to violate the rights of prisoners by disregarding national and international laws. The pandemic is being used as an excuse for ongoing torture and attacks against prisoners.”

“We will file a criminal complaint against ongoing attacks in the prison”

Ayşe Şehriban Demirel told us that they will file a criminal complaint against ongoing attacks and rights violations in the prison. Both the European Convention on Human Rights and the Constitutional Court prohibit torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. As Association of Lawyers for Freedom Urfa Branch, we will prepare a detailed report on rights violations and torture in the prison with Human Rights Association (İHD) Urfa Branch. We will keep working to ensure that the relevant institutions take action and steps to end the ongoing isolation conditions in the prison.”

“National and international organizations should take action”

“Recent policies in Turkey's prisons aim to isolate political prisoners, using the pandemic conditions as an excuse,” Ayşe Şehriban Demirel said that the prisons in Turkey have been turned into places where enemy law is practiced. Ayşe Şehriban Demirel called on national and international organizations to take actions against ongoing isolation conditions in prisons. “Rights violations and isolation conditions have been increasing in prisons. The parliament should take actions against rights violations in prisons. NGOs should push international organizations to take action.”