AMED – Report prepared by legal and civil society organizations on 20 prisons reveals numerous rights violations, including strip searches, denial of access to medical care, torture, and ill-treatment. It was also noted that in some prisons, two prisoners forced to share a single bunk bed. 

 

The report was compiled by the Association for Solidarity with Families of Arrestees (TUAY-DER), the Amed (Diyarbakır) Bar Association, the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), and the Human Rights Association (İHD), covering prisons in Amed, Xarpêt  (Elazığ), Erzîngan (Erzincan), and Erzirom (Erzurum). Announced at the ÖHD Amed Branch, the findings are based on visits conducted in January and February.

 

CALL FOR THE ‘RIGHT TO HOPE’

 

Ahmet Guler from ÖHD's Prison Commission highlighted the ongoing isolation of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan, calling for an end to the Imrali isolation system, improvements in harsh detention conditions, and implementation of the European Court of Human Rights’ rulings to ensure the "right to hope." Guler emphasized the need for legislative reform to support this right.

 

He further stated that the report covers 20 facilities, including Diyarbakır and Elazığ Campus Prisons, various types of prisons in Erzincan and Erzurum, visited a total of 40 times. He noted that the most common violation was denial of access to healthcare.

 

REPORT DETAILS

 

The report documents delayed medical referrals, disrupted treatments for ill prisoners, prolonged waiting in transfer vehicles, use of double handcuffing, and security personnel remaining during medical exams. Social activities were restricted for “security reasons,” and prisoenrs were transferred far from their families without being allowed to take personal belongings. Responses to transfer requests were often delayed for months.

 

TORTURE AND ILL-TREATMENT

 

Insufficient food portions, lack of hygiene in meals, water shortages, ignored petitions, overpriced canteen goods, and frequent price hikes were reported. Prisoners faced unlawful strip searches and, in some cases, were subjected to torture for resisting such treatment.

 

BAN ON KURDISH BOOKS

 

Confiscation of personal items and literature, especially Kurdish-language books and letters, was reported despite no official bans. Sent mail was censored in some prisons. 

 

ISSUES FACED BY WOMEN PRISONERS

 

Women prisoners faced disciplinary punishments, denial of hygiene kits, and were only given low-quality sanitary pads, leading to health issues. Additionally, prison infrastructure designed for men posed extra challenges for women.

 

The report also noted cases of two prisoners having to share a single bunk bed.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS AND DEMANDS

 

The report’s conclusion includes the following recommendations:

 

“*Effective investigations against prison staff involved in unlawful acts.

 

*Release of severely ill prisoners and amendments to Penal Execution Law Article 16.

 

*Immediate cessation of inhumane search practices and improved healthcare access.

 

*Provision of adequate nutrition, vitamins, and hygiene supplies.

 

*Improved prisoner transport conditions and access to water.

 

*Ensuring safe, clean conditions in prisons to prevent disease.

 

*Resolving communication issues and ensuring prisoners can contact family and lawyers during emergencies.

 

*Humane treatment for prisoners and visitors, in accordance with national and international law.

 

*Establishment of independent national monitoring bodies in line with the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture.”