ANKARA - Answering the parliamentary question tabled by HDP Batman MP Ayşe Acar Başaran, the Ministry of Justice said there is no isolation in Turkey.

 

The parliamentary question regarding the maltreatment and isolation in prisons tabled by Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) MP and Women's Council Spokesperson Ayşe Acar Başaran was answered by the Ministry of Justice. The ministry claimed that there is no isolation in high security and closed prisons.

 

The ministry said: "The applications of convicts and detainees regarding any violations are meticulously investigated. Penal institutions are visited periodically with and without notice by both national and international independent organizations, and the health and living conditions of convicts and prisoners and the problems with internal security and transfer procedures are reported to the relevant authorities."

 

UNINTERRUPTED ISOLATION IN İMRALI PRISON

 

Speaking to our agency on the subject, Başaran told that the response of the ministry is 'frivolous'. Reminding that there has been no news from PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan for a long time and international institutions, especially the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) made statements regarding the isolation, Başaran said: "What is isolation if its not the fact that Mr. Öcalan isn't allowed to be visited by his family and lawyers and that he is not allowed to use his phone rights? We must ask what is isolation according to the ministry? Because isolating people from life and society is isolation and it is implemented in İmralı very openly for the last 22 years."

 

PRISONS ARE CONCENTRATION CAMPS

 

Underlining that negotiations are blocked by the government with political reasons, Başaran told that the prisons in Turkey have become concentration camps. Başaran said: "It is very much like the Diyarbakır Prison back in the 80's. We hear everyday that the prisoners are prevented from making calls to their families even they have a right to do so, or they are forced to stand up during counts which is an imposition of military order. But the Ministry of Justice sees this through rose coloured glasses and ignores the facts. But ignoring this truth doesn't make it go away. There is a special regime in İmralı which is openly implemented for the whole world to see and it is spreading to all prisons. They know best what isolation is and they know it is unlawfull. This response of the ministry shows clearly their contemptible situation."

 

 Ama yok deyince ortadan yok olmuyor. Bütün dünyanın şahitlik ettiği bir özel rejim İmralı’da uygulanıyor. İmralı’ya özgü bir sistem, bir yönetim biçimi bugün bütün cezaevlerinin tümüne yaygınlaştı. Kendileri de çok iyi biliyorlar tecridin olduğunu ve hukuksuz olduğunu da çok iyi biliyorlar. Bu cevap içinde bulundukları rezil durumun cevabı.”

 

 

MA / Diren Yurtsever