Rights group draws attention to rights violations in prisons

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The Human Rights Association (İHD) has unveiled its quarterly report documenting rights violations in the prisons in Turkey's northwestern Marmara Region.

In their assessment of the report, the Prisons Commission of İHD İstanbul stated that the country is experiencing a period marked by "societal divisions, racism, discrimination, and widespread rights violations."

This unsettling environment has led to an alarming increase in essential problems within the prisons, making them a focal point for human rights violations, said İHD.

Thirty applications from prisoners

The report compiled data on violations that occurred in the mentioned three months, highlighting 30 applications from 11 prisons in the Marmara region. These applications included 12 in April, 9 in May, and 9 in June, raising concerns about the wellbeing of prisoners.

The applications came from six women and 24 from men. Among the prisoners, 27 were held for political reasons, further highlighting the gravity of the situation.

726 violations

The commission's thorough examination revealed multiple allegations of violations within each application, uncovering a total of 726 violations based on the applications received. Additionally, through media screening, 242 violations were documented in April, 186 in May, and 242 in June, summing up to a disturbing total of 968 violations.

Overcrowding and discrimination

Issues such as overcrowding, discriminatory practices, and ongoing human rights violations pose significant challenges. Vulnerable groups, including children residing with their mothers, foreigners, women, LGBTI+s, children, the elderly, disabled, and ill prisoners, are particularly at risk of facing further violations.

Four prisoners died in three months

Disturbingly, the report also revealed that at least 4 inmates lost their lives during the second quarter of 2023. These deaths were linked to the violation of the right to life, health, and instances of torture and ill-treatment. Suicides and suspicious deaths occurring in parallel with illnesses raised alarm bells, requiring urgent attention.

According to the İHD report, the violations included delayed or denied hospital referrals, the absence of medical personnel in prison clinics, forced medical examinations under restraints, the presence of military personnel during examinations, and irregular medication distribution.

Inadequate conditions in prison infirmaries, neglected dental treatments, negative reports from the Forensic Medicine Institute for severely ill prisoners, unmet dietary demands, and prisoners being transported to hospitals in prison vehicles instead of ambulances were listed among concerning issues.

The report underscored that despite the persistent problems, meaningful solutions have yet to be implemented, making it imperative for the authorities to address these pressing concerns within the prison system. (AS/VK)