Human rights organizations report that hundreds of seriously ill prisoners, many unable to meet their basic needs without assistance, remain behind bars in Turkey. Despite weekly demonstrations by rights groups and families demanding their release, no concrete steps have been taken. Among those listed by the Human Rights Association (IHD) Mersin Branch is Azat Tas, currently held in Tarsus T-Type Closed Prison No 2, who remains incarcerated despite being officially diagnosed with a 62 percent mental disability and epilepsy. 

 

ARRESTED THREE TIMES

 

Taa was first detained in February 2018 on charges of “unauthorized possession of hazardous materials.” Although a State Hospital report confirmed a 62 per cent mental disability and stated that he “lacks criminal responsibility,” the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK) refused to approve his release. He remained in prison for nearly three years before being freed in March 2021. In June 2023, he was arrested again on charges of “terror organization membership” and was released after eight months. However, he was detained once more in February 2024 and has now been held in Tarsus Prison for a year and a half.

 

‘HE FAINTS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY’

 

His mother, Sultan Taa, said the prison conditions endanger her son’s life, noting that even outside prison he faints many times a day due to epilepsy. “What could my son possibly do in this condition? He cannot survive in prison. He has been in Tarsus Prison for a year and a half. He faints several times a day and cannot even go out for exercise. We want all ill prisoners to be released,” she said.

 

Emphasizing the importance of the political process initiated by Abdullah Öcalan, she added: “Our hope is that this process ends with peace. All political prisoners, especially the ill ones, must be released. Let them sit at the table with our leader and solve this issue. Our leader must be free. With peace, neither Turkish nor Kurdish mothers should cry anymore. We do not want death.”

 

MA / Mehmet Gules