Istanbul Silivri Prison, which has been on the agenda many times with rights violations, came to the agenda again with rights violations against prisoners. Prisoners in Silivri Type L Prison No 5 conveyed the rights violations they experienced to Mezopotamya Agency (MA) through their lawyers. In their written message, the prisoners stated: "In Marmara (Silivri) Type L Prison No 5, we are facing many rights violations and arbitrary approaches and methods that create tension."

 

Stressing that they have been facing illegal and unlawful approaches for some time, the prisoners said in their message: "Especially after our Leader Mr Abdullah Öcalan's call to lay down arms for 'Peace and Democratic Society', direct actual attacks, insults and serious provocative orientations have evolved. The administration of Type L Prison No. 5 and some correctional officers, who consider themselves entitled to rules and regulations that do not even exist in every law and regulation, have turned almost every morning roll call into a search."

 

In their messages, the prisoners stated that the pressure was increased under the name of ward count and said, "Around 30-40 ward guards enter the ward during the morning count. Although there is no search, many of our used items are taken with the claim of 'misuse'. Our only pillows are confiscated, even the absence of one of our belongings is given as a reason to be taken. Even the items we buy with our own money from the canteen are taken from us and thrown into the rubbish bin."

 

In their messages, the prisoners stated that minutes are kept against the prisoners due to their objections against the practices and said, "The words we do not say in the minutes are recorded in the minutes. Afterwards, disciplinary proceedings are opened against us and this prevents us from benefiting from our right to open prison and probation. Our conditional releases are cancelled. At the moment, 12 of our 30 friends are prevented from being released. In addition, the policy of involuntary exile and transfer is also intensively implemented."

 

'THOSE WHO OBJECTED WERE ATTACKED'

 

In their messages, the prisoners stated that the prisoners who objected to the pressures they were experiencing were physically attacked by the wardens and stated: "The last time, during the morning roll-call, a large number of guards came in a tense and harsh manner and the roll-call was turned into a search. We were subjected to insults. Our clotheslines were torn off and our clothes were thrown on the floor. When we objected to this situation, which was done without any warning, we were harshly directed and insulted. Some guards attacked our friends who objected to this behaviour. Some of the officers were again prevented by the guards called 'A Team Ready Force'."

 

Calling for public sensitivity in their messages, the prisoners added: "When all these incidents took place, the 2nd directors of the institution, administrative officers and chief wardens were also present. In every tension and attack attempt, the relevant authorities are present and a group of guards and authorities are persistently trying to deepen the provocation. In some cases, this group even opposes the interventions of the director of the institution and some chief wardens. With our intensive efforts and sensitivity, we have tried to prevent serious, life-threatening incidents and tendencies so far. However, we would like to state that we are facing more serious provocations, especially in the last period. We call on the public and the authorities to be sensitive in order to prevent this situation and to put an end to these tendencies."

 

MA / Ömer İbrahimoğlu