ISTANBUL - IHD Istanbul Branch Chair Jiyan Tosun stated that steps should be taken immediately for the release of ill prisoners: "Ill prisoners cannot wait for September and October. Their lives are in danger."

 

According to Human Rights Association (IHD) data, there are at least 1,412 ill prisoners in prisons. 161 of these prisoners are women and 1,251 are men. While the number of seriously ill prisoners is 335, 230 of them cannot survive on their own and 105 of them need support.

 

In the report prepared by MED TUHAD-FED and the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) recently, it was stated that 3,500 applications were made from 115 prisons and 631 ill prisoners were struggling for life.

 

PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY PRISONERS

 

Jiyan Tosun, Chairperson of IHD Istanbul Branch, stated that prisoners are not released either on the grounds of "threat to national security" or on the grounds of "can stay in prison" reports issued by the Forensic Medicine Institution (ATK). Emphasising that both grounds should be removed from the laws, Jiyan Tosun said: "If these two issues are removed, more favourable situations will arise. If reports from full-fledged state hospitals or university hospitals are accepted, many prisoners will be released from prisons. The legislation on 'whether they pose a threat to general security' should be changed."

 

Jiyan Tosun said that ill prisoners who are not released also face different problems. Jiyan Tosun added:  "Disruption of treatment processes, beatings in ring vehicles, lack of hospital referrals, malnutrition also make their situation serious. It is one of the biggest problems not only that they are not released, but also that they cannot access adequate health services. Handcuffed medical examinations are also in question. Handcuffed examinations, especially during dental extractions or surgeries, are one of the biggest problems. This situation is incompatible with human dignity. We receive many complaints at this point."

 

RELEASE ON THE VERGE OF DEATH!

 

Jiyan Tosun said that some prisoners were released at the border of death, "If they were released at an earlier stage, maybe they would have access to adequate treatment and would be able to live. In the last stage of their illnesses, at least they will live a life with their families and loved ones. They will live their lives in more painless and humane conditions. But unfortunately, this opportunity is not recognised either. These people are released 1-2 weeks before their death."

 

Noting that the association's work for the release of ill prisoners continues, Jiyan Tosun said: "We make statements every week. We announce our reports and send them to the Ministry of Justice. We visit more prisons and make determinations. In order to create sensitivity. There are times when these are effective. We see that there is an improvement for the patients whose conditions we shared at the 'F Sit-in'. For example, if they are not taken to treatment, we receive feedback that the process is being carried out well."

 

'PRISONERS CANNOT WAIT FOR SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER'

 

Jiyan Tosun stated that it is disappointing that ill prisoners have not yet been released in the ongoing process in the context of the Kurdish issue. "This situation has also created a disappointment in terms of sincerity. There are discussions that a new arrangement will be made in September and October. But ill prisoners cannot wait for September and October. This especially needs to be emphasised. Ill prisoners need to be released as soon as possible. Every day of their stay jeopardises their lives," she warned. 

 

THE SITUATION OF FATMA TOKMAK

 

Jiyan Tosun pointed to the condition of her client, seriously ill prisoner Fatma Tokmak, and said: "Her condition is getting worse every day. She told us that she cannot walk or sleep. She told us, 'Don't come to visit me, the lift in the prison is broken and I can't climb or descend the stairs, it's very difficult for me. She does not even want to go on visits, her condition is that serious. We have applied for her release. But there is no news about yet. There is talk of an operation and it is said that it is too late for that operation."

 

Jiyan Tosun concluded: "We call for the release of all ill prisoners and not to base this only on ATK reports. We say that they should be given adequate nutrition, access to a doctor every month, access to treatment, and healthy information about the treatment."

 

MA / Ömer İbrahimoğlu