Prisons, where rights violations were expected to decrease within the scope of the Peace and Democratic Society Process, have instead become the focus of rights defenders due to worsening conditions. 

 

Kerem Canpolat, Co-Chair of the Federation of Associations for Solidarity with the Families of Prisoners and Convicts (MED TUHAD-FED), stated that while expectations are growing for the physical freedom of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan, the isolation regime imposed on İmralı has spread to all prisons and society as a whole.

 

INCREASE IN VIOLATIONS

 

Drawing attention to the fact that serious rights violations continue in prisons, Canpolat cited examples such as strip searches imposed on prisoners’ families in Erzincan Prison, the obstruction of prisoners’ release in Aksaray Prison, practices violating human dignity in Erzurum Prison, the failure to release prisoners in Sincan Women’s Prison, and the denial of prisoners’ right to medical treatment. “Such practices exist in all prisons across Turkey and Kurdistan,” he said.

 

He emphasized that rights violations in prisons have increased further with the peace process, stating: “These violations have become more visible especially after the process began. While the spirit of the process should be reflected in prisons, we are experiencing the opposite. We attribute this situation to the unresolved Kurdish question and the current condition of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan, and we call for an end to isolation and inhumane practices in all prisons.”

 

Noting that ill prisoners are being left to face death, Canpolat called on the Ministry of Justice to immediately release ill prisoners.

 

RIGHT TO HOPE

 

Calling for the immediate implementation of the European Court of Human Rights’ ruling on the violation of Abdullah Öcalan’s “right to hope”, Canpolat stressed that enforcing the decision is essential to eliminate society’s doubts regarding the process. 

 

MA / Fethi Balaman