Human Right Violations in Prisons, 2015

Violation of the Right to Health in Prisons

On January 3, 2015, Eşref Yaşa applied to Human Right Association’s (HRA) Diyarbakir branch on, and stated the following: “My son was injured on February 8, 2012, during the armed skirmish in Bingol, Ilicak. His lung was ruptured and there are shell fragments in different parts of his body. Also, one of his feet was broken. At the moment, he is in the Diyarbakir D-type Closed Prison. He has problems in his lungs and there are still shell fragments stuck in some parts of his body. I am worried about my son’s health, and I demand his release. If his release is not possible, I request him to receive medical treatment.”

On January 8, 2015, Ciger Haret applied to HRA Diyarbakir branch from the Osmaniye No.2 T-type Closed Prison, and stated the following: “On October 8, 2014 in Kobani, two other female and two male People’s Protection Units (YPG) fighters were injured along with me. We were all brought to the hospitals in Turkey, and afterwards, we were taken into custody by the Turkish government, and we were then arrested by the court. As we did not receive sufficient medical treatment, our health problems and pain resulting from our injuries persist. To receive the necessary treatment, we need to be taken to a general hospital. We ask you to let all the relevant offices in Turkey know about our situation, to process the necessary correspondences, to follow up, and to continue to pay attention to our situation.”On January 9, 2015, Mustafa Ilgar, who applied to HRA Diyarbakir branch, stated the following: “I am 70% disabled because of heart and lung disease. My medical conditions are potentially life threatening. I would like to be registered to the sick inmate list of your organization. In addition, I request you to take the necessary actions at the Ministry of Justice and at all other relevant offices for my release.”On January 9, 2015, Abdulmecit Arslan, who was released on October 24, 2014 from the Metris (Istanbul) R-type Prison based on the Council of Forensic Medicine’s medical report stating “he cannot stay in prison” because of his lung cancer, passed away. On January 9, 2015, HRA received information that Mehmet Emin Özkan (76), who has been held in Diyarbakir D-type prison for 19 years based on the accusation that he participated in the murder of Bahtiyar Aydin, and who was taken to the Diyarbakir Region Training and Research Hospital because of his many health conditions including heart disease, hypertension, goiter, and intestinal problems, was taken back to the prison after some tests conducted at the hospital.On January 13, 2015, Saibe Noyan applied to HRA Diyarbakir branch and stated the following: “ My son, Erdal Noyan, has been in several different prisons for 7 years. He is currently in the Siirt E-type Closed Prison. I, his mother, am old and sick. There are 9 months to the end of his sentence and his release. Even though I requested his transfer to a prison in Diyarbakir region many times, these requests were denied. My son is a psychiatric patient and has heart disease. For these reasons, he is constantly taking medication. As he requested a transfer repeatedly, for many times and all these requests were denied, his psychiatric condition worsened, and during my last visit, he said he is considering committing suicide. (His health report is attached). For this reason, I am requesting my son’s transfer to

Diyarbakir or one of the Diyarbakir district prisons. I will cover all the travel expenses if such a transfer is approved.”On January 13, 2015, HRA received information that the drugs that were supposed to be given to Ahmet Parlak, inmate in Sincan (Ankara) No.1 F-Type Prison, to treat his intestine disease and bleeding were not delivered regularly because the drugs were “not in stock at drugstores”. Ahmet Parlak, through a letter he wrote to Etkin News Agency, stated that he was able to access the drugs, which he needs to take daily, only once in two months in amounts that would cover his need for one week. He also stated that even when he had the drugs brought from abroad using his own means, the drugs were not given to him because of prison regulations.On January 16, 2015, many inmates, of which 10 were children, were poisoned because of dinner served at the Diyarbakir D-type Closed Prison. The inmates were sent to their wards after getting checked at the prison infirmary.On January 19, 2015, HRA received information that Abdulkadir Fırat, who was being held in prison despite losing his ability to speak or move and being 90% paralyzed, was transferred from Metris (Istanbul) R-type Prison to Tekirdag F-type Prison on the basis that his “medical treatment was completed”.On January 19, 2015, HRA received information that Filiz Zöhre Göçen, who was being held in the Malatya E-type Prison as part of the “KCK investigation”, and who had not been transferred to a hospital despite the fact that she had been stating she has health problems for the last 6 months, had a cerebral hemorrhage and was taken to the hospital. She was being held in the intensive care unit.On January 20, 2015, Menduha Oğurlu applied to HRA Diyarbakir branch and stated the following: “My son Şehmus Oğurlu, has been in prison for the last 6-7 years. For the last 2 years, he has been held in the Siirt Prison. As my son has psychological problems, he applied to the prison administration requesting medical treatment many times, but the process had many hurdles each time. At last, following our request, he was taken to the Elazig Mental Hospital and was kept there for a few months. Last year, he was not able to breathe because of deviation in his nose. It was recommended in a hospital report that he goes under surgery. However, again, the prison administration did not allow him to receive sufficient medical treatment. They have not taken my son to the hospital for a year. During my last visit last week, my son told me “I cannot breathe any more, do everything you can so that they take me to a hospital”. Because of his psychological problems, he is staying in a solitary cell based on his own preference. However, his psychological condition is worsening. Since he has been imprisoned, as he has not able to get sufficient medical treatment, his psychological condition has worsened and the problem in his nose has not been resolved. I request you to provide legal support in these matters.”On January 20, 2015, Evrim Erdoğdu, who was being held at the Şakran (İzmir) Women’s Prison, had an asthma attack while being taken to the hospital with the ring shuttle because of her chronic asthma condition, and was not provided with an ambulance by the prison administration despite these circumstances.

On January 27, 2015, HRA received information that Aziz Temel, who was being held at the Van F-type Prison, applied to the prison infirmary stating he had eyesight problems, but he was denied transfer to a hospital and was sent back to his ward with painkillers.

On January 25, 2015, Nazime Yürek, who applied to HRA Diyarbakir branch stated the following: “My son Kenan Yürek is a convict in Kandira No.1 F-type High-security Closed Prison. He has joint disease and internal diseases. He has symptoms of kyphosis in his back. My daughter Candan Yürek is a convict in the Gebze Women’s Closed Prison. She has shortness of breath, asthma, bronchitis, and 7 cysts in her chest. She is taking oxygen treatment 3 times a week. My other son Ertan Yürek has also been detained in prison for 3.5 years. He is currently at the Sincan No.2 F-type High-security Closed Prison. He also has internal diseases. In addition to all these conditions, my husband and I are both old and sick. I had open heart surgery and cervical disc hernia surgery in the past. I take at least 15

different pills every day. My husband has both diabetes and heart disease. The prisons where my children are currently held are very far from Diyarbakır province, where we reside. Also, prisons each of them are being held are very far from each other as well. For these reasons, we cannot see our children. Considering that we are sick, old, and that our economic means are limited, I request my children to be transferred to one of the prisons in either Diyarbakır or Şırnak. I accept to cover any transfer costs in advance.”

On January 27, 2015, Aziz Temel, who was being held at the Van F-type Prison, applied to the prison infirmary because of eyesight loss, but he was denied medical treatment, he was provided with painkillers and was sent back to his ward. Temel requested transfer to a hospital to receive proper medical care, as he was experiencing eyesight loss because of eye diseases that have been going on for a long time.Temel was not transferred and also was not taken to the infirmary for a long time, and as a result was left in pain. On January 28, 2015, Murat Taruk, who applied to HRA Diyarbakir branch, stated the following: “My brother Cevdet Taruk was arrested for narcotic crime and was sent to the Kastamonu E-type Closed Prison, where he is still held. As a result of traffic accidents he went through in the past, there is platinum prosthesis in his waist. Both of my siblings are in the same prison. Despite my brother’s health condition and doctor’s reports, the prison administration is not transferring him to the appropriate locations where he can receive treatment. I was told that the head guard at the prison, M. Emin Güler, is treating my brother poorly because my brother is Kurdish. I request legal help to enable my brother to receive medical care and to avoid arbitrary treatment.”On January 28, 2015, Filiz Zöhre Göçen, who was being held at the Malatya E-type Prison as part of the “KCK investigation” since June 19, 2012, and who had a brain hemorrhage as a result of her health problems, had brain aneurysm surgery. On January 29, 2015, Netice Özbey, who applied to the HRA Diyarbakir branch stated the following: “My husband Mehmet Zahir Özbey has been held in the Amasya Closed Prison for almost 3 years. My husband had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He told me on the phone that he was seriously discomforted because of his sickness but he was not receiving medical treatment and was not sent to the hospital by the prison administration. We would like to file a complaint in this matter. I am severely worried about my husband’s health. I request legal help from HRA.”On January 31, 2015, Hayriye Tekin, who applied to our Diyarbakir HRA branch stated the following: “My sister Halise Tekin is being held at the Diyarbakir D-type Closed Prison. She has not been receiving her medication for months, in spite of the prescriptions given by the endocrinology specialists at the hospital she has been receiving treatment regularly for a year. This situation is affecting her health adversely, and triggering other conditions. I request legal help from HRA for enabling my sister to receive medical care and to receive her medications, and also to prevent arbitrary treatment at the prison.”

On February 3, 2015, Mahir Baran applied to our Diyarbakır branch and stated the following: “My brother, Numan Baran, has been incarcerated since April 2012. He has developed psychological problems within two months of his incarceration. Despite his repeated admissions to the Psychiatric Clinic in Elazığ, he hasn’t recovered yet. His psychological state had worsened even more the last time we saw him on February 2, 2015. He had stopped speaking and would not eat nor drink. We have forwarded the information we had gathered from his cell mates to the prison authorities. We request my brother to be given proper medical care for his illness or, if possible, postponement of his sentence.”On February 4, 2015, Hanife Koç, who applied to our Van branch stated the following: “My son, currently incarcerated and suffering from type 1 diabetes, has informed me that he is not receiving proper medical care and that he feels victimized. Due to our limited economic means, I request him to be transferred to a prison closer to our vicinity. My son is living in in Osmaniye prison along with 14 others in a ward made for 10 people. He says that his diabetes has gotten worse and that he has not been offered the right type of  food for his condition, being told “it’s up to him whether he eats what’s been offered.” He has clearly

stated that he wants to get out of there. He does currently have a doctor’s report showing that he is 40% disabled because of diabetes. He uses insulin aspart, insulin glargine and various other diabetes tracking devices and shots. My spouse has lost his job following his heart attack and can no longer work due to his advanced age. Especially due to our limited financial resources, I request your association’s help to have  my son transferred to a prison much closer to us, at least to a prison in the city of Van.”

On February 5, 2015, Hasan Alavi, asthma patient inmate in Metris (İstanbul) R-type Prison sentenced to 6 years and 3 months under charges of “aiding and abetting an illegal organization” following a 2007 operation in Bingöl, was released due to a report by the Council of Forensic Medicine stating “he could not fend for himself”.On February 6, 2015, Kemal Uyan applied to HRA’s Van branch and stated the following: “My brother, inmate Faruk Uyan, has fallen ill and was not allowed to be brought to a hospital. I am therefore asking for your association’s help in this matter.”

On February 10, 2015, it has been reported that inmate Halis Tekin, currently incarcerated at Diyarbakır D-Type prison, has not been given the proper medications prescribed by his doctor on a lifelong basis. He suffers from lung nodules, herniated disc, asthma, acid reflux, spastic colon, chronic tonsillitis and pharyngitis. The prison administration has claimed that the medications required for his case were unavailable. Tekin is trying to convey his situation to the public at large through his family. He says his doctors have warned him about  a new list of ailments, especially osteoporosis, that he will likely suffer from for the rest of his life without  proper medication.On February 12, 2015, Habib Güler applied to HRA’s Diyarbakır branch and stated the following: “I would like to share what we’re living through in the prison I am currently living in. Our friend Muhammed Mahmo (originally from Rojava) suffers from very serious health problems. He is currently undergoing an operation on his colon at Kocaeli University School of Medicine Hospital. Since his family lives in Rojava, it is very difficult for them to keep track of his health and well-being. We would like to ask your offices to oversee Mahmo’s medical as well as legal situation. We trust that you will be able to help and support his case, be it in the hospital or inside the prison.”

On February 14, 2015, Bekir Toksöz applied to HRA’s Diyarbakır branch and stated the following: “I am currently imprisoned in Silivri No.3 L-type Closed Prison, ward F-8, serving a sentence of 15 years. I suffer from chronic and serious kidney failure and need dialysis three days a week. I also suffer from high blood pressure and heart failure. I would like to benefit from the legal rights of incarcerated patients and therefore ask that your offices act on my behalf.”On February 15, 2015, HRA received information that inmates in recently opened Şırnak Type-t Prison sent letters to various organizations reporting problems in the prison. According to these letters, there are 20 inmates who are suffering from serious ailments and need to be hospitalized. While the overall prison population reaches one thousand inmates, the doctor visits only three days a week and prescribed medications can only reach the inmates after a waiting period of 15 days. It has been reported that running water is available only at specified times and that hot water only runs two days a week for 45 minute intervals. On February 16, 2015, Resul Yalçın applied to the HRA’s  Elazığ branch and stated the following: “My brother Mecit Yalçın who suffers from (%80) schizophrenia was given 6 years and 3 months of prison term for the crime of  ‘aiding and abetting.’ I would like to ask for your legal counsel and assistance in this matter.”According to their February 17, 2015 application to our Batman HRA branch, family members of inmate Songül Bağartır stated that she has not been receiving any medical care during her prison term at Şırnak Close Prison. Bağartır has served 22 years of her 36 year prison term and has said that, in addition to a variety of health concerns, she is having difficulty walking due to severe back pain. Despite her repeated attempts at a hospital referral over four months, she has not been examined by a doctor and feels that her right to medical care is

being violated. When asked about the said allegations, the prison authorities have claimed that the lack of medical care for Songül Bağartır was never a conscientious decision on their part, but rather the result of insufficient resources and  bureaucratic hurdles from the outside, coupled with the high number of sick inmates besides Bağartır.On February 28, 2015, inmate Mehmet Meşe (66) from Siirt E-Type Prison was transferred to Ankara’s Sincan No.2 F-Type Prison for treatment. It has been reported that the doctors diagnosed him with lung cancer and advised treatment to start as soon as possible.

On March 3, 2015, it was reported that Makbule Özbek (71), held at Diyarbakır Type-d Prison on charges of “membership in an illegal organization,” was admitted to the prison clinic after developing kidney stones, in addition to having an increase in her diabetes as well as a recent elevation in her blood pressure.  

On March 3, 2015, Şirin Keskin applied to HRA’s Batman branch and stated the following: “My husband Hikmet Keskin is seriously ill and being held in Batman Closed Prison. I am asking your association for legal help to ensure that he receives all the necessary treatments regularly.”

On March 3, 2015, inmate Aziz Bayın, a schizophrenic and epileptic with a doctor’s report stating loss of function in 64 percent of his body, was referred to Haseki Teaching and Research Hospital where he was proclaimed fit to go on living in Metris (İstanbul) Type-t Prison. It was reported that a similar verdict was issued for another inmate at the same prison, Mahmut Aslan who happens to suffer from osteoporosis.

On March 3, 2015, HRA’s İskenderun branch gave a briefing in İskenderun district of Hatay province and reported that the state of inmate Sinan Tutmaz of İskenderun M-type Prison was worsening. Tutmaz, who is already missing his left hand, had suffered a facial stroke and a ruptured eardrum. On March 9, 2015, Ağa Yalçın applied to HRA’s Diyarbakır branch and stated the following: “My cousin Eşref Yaşa, who had been incarcerated since 1994, was released by a Presidential decree in 2003. He was sent back into prison in 2006 on the basis that he could survive within the prison environment. He suffered a heart attack while exercising on March 5, 2015. He is currently in intensive care at Diyarbakır’s Teaching and Research Hospital’s cardiology department intensive care unit. His condition is serious. We are asking for your legal help in order to get him the treatment he needs. Even though he was transferred from Kızıltepe to Dicle University Hospital for treatment, he was denied care for security reasons. We arrived at that hospital around 2:30 pm on March 6. He was sent to Diyarbakır’s Training and Research Hospital at around 7 pm. We are request legal assistance so that we can ask for an investigation and prosecution of those responsible for denying my cousin the necessary treatment.”On March 10, 2015, Ahmet Turan applied to HRA’s Diyarbarkır branch and claimed the following: “My brother İzzet Turan is incarcerated at Diyarbakır D-type Prison. He is a sick inmate. According to my other brother who visited him last week, İzzet was very sick, bed-ridden and tied to an IV. He cannot take all of the required medications as the state only covers part of the cost. My brother’s health is deteriorating because of his incarceration. His medical treatment and monitoring are insufficient.This is why I’m asking for your legal help.”

On March 12, 2015, relatives of some inmates applied to HRA’s Batman branch and stated the following: “Nesip Tarım and Tahir Kurhan, inmates in Balıkesir Bandırma Closed Prison, are being denied treatment. They are subjected to baseless punishments and arbitrary treatment of prison administration. We are asking for your help in this matter.”

On March 13, 2015, Medine Çelik applied to HRA’s Diyarbakır branch and stated the following: “My sister Mukaddes Çelik was a student at İnönü University. She was

apprehended and taken into custody in October 2013. She was given a prison term of nine and a half years and is currently incarcerated at Erzurum Oltu Prison. My sister suffers from chronic hepatitis B. Due to the lack of proper medical care in prison, she has undergone excessive weight loss and her hands are showing bruises. We are seriously concerned about her health and feel that she should be treated at a full-fledged hospital. She should urgently be transferred to such a medical facility, to prevent her condition from worsening. I am asking for your legal help in this matter.”

On March 14, 2015, Zahide Narin applied to HRA’s Diyarbakir branch stated the following: “My brother Hulki Güneş has been sent to Şırnak F-type Prison approximately 3 months ago. Since my brother was sick, we requested his transfer to a city with a fully equipped hospital and even though the transfer has been approved, he is still been kept waiting. I am asking for you to pursue legal means in this matter.”On March 14, 2015, it’s been learned that the discharge request of Mehmet Emin Akdag in Gurpinar (Van) K-1 type Penitentiary, who is 80% paralyzed, on the grounds that he cannot get his vital needs supplied, has been denied.On March 26, 2015, HRA received information that Mehmet Oztekin in Van F-type Prison has lost 30 kg due to hepatitis B.On March 26, 2015, Nazmiye Özel applied to HRA’s Diyarbakir branch stated the following: “My aunt’s son, Orhan Atalay, who is a political prisoner, has been sentenced to 36 years. Last time he was in solitary confinement in Trabzon Penitentiary was 7 months ago, when he had been in prison for 23 years. He is with the non-political prisoners in Erzurum / Oltu prison approximately for the last 20 days. He had kept the fact that he has been sick from his family. In his last messages, he was saying goodbye to his family and how he as been sick and paralyzed and not so well anymore. His family can’t see him for a long time now. The prison authorities stated that he can’t see his family for a year. My aunt’s son has been affected immensely by this and he especially requested to be transferred from the non-political to political prisoners section. We request your legal help in finding out why he is not allowed to see his family and to state that we are worried about his state of health.On March 27, 2015, it’s been reported that an inmate named Şiyar Keklik in Muş E-type Closed Prison, has not been transferred to a fully equipped hospital, despite his heart, liver and kidney problems. Even though the doctors in Van have stated that he has to be treated in a fully equipped hospital, the prison administration and the state’s attorney did not approve his transfer.On March 27, 2015, Kerem Şeker applied to HRA’s Diyarbakir branch, and stated the following: “My brother Celal Şeker, has been sentenced to 6 years and 3 months by the Van High Criminal Court. On March 25, 2015, he had been arrested in an office at the Teaching and Research Hospital, while he was on dialysis. My brother needs dialysis, has blood pressure and heart valve problems, distended artery and immobility in both of his legs. Also he has peritoneal dialysis cuffs in his stomach which increases infection risk. Also my brother has a 90% vision loss in his right eye. According to a disability report from Mus Government Hospital at August 21, 2014, he has 96% disabled. According to this report, my brother can not maintain his life without support. His attorney Kadir Karaçelik has previously requested from the State Attorney of Van for the sentence to be postponed. We are requesting your legal support to postpone his sentence.On March 27, 2015, it’s been learned that Mehmet Meşe (66) has been released after he has been transferred from Siirt E-type Prison to Sincan (Ankara) No.2 F-type Prison, due to diagnosis of lung cancer.On April 2, 2015, Adem Amaç, inmate in Alanya (Antalya) L-type Prison who had undergone 11 surgeries due to previous injuries, had an infection in grafted skin in his abdominal region due to rejection. It’s been determined that, despite the fact that the doctors had recommended surgery 9 months prior, his transfer to hospital still has not taken place.On April 2, 2015, it has revealed that Hakan Tirman (25), who is a non-political convict, was tortured by prison guards by foot whipping, after a knife has been found in a ward search. His

sister told that he could not walk when she went to see him in prison and even though his feet were all bruised and swollen from the torture, he was not allowed to go to the infirmary.On April 6, 2015, İsmet Çerdak, inmate who suffers from muscular dystrophy, was released due to the Council of Forensic Medicine’s report after being transferred from Tekirdag No.1 F-type Prison to Metris (İstanbul) R-type Prison for treatment.On April 14, 2015, HRA received information that Erkin Selanik, inmate in Sanliurfa E-type Prison, was transferred to Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, but then due to the lack of a prisoner’s ward in the hospital, he was unsolicitedly transferred to Osmaniye T-type Prison. Erkin Selanik had been wounded in an ISIS attack during the rebuilding of Kobene and returned to Turkey, and then was arrested in the hospital in Şanlıurfa where he was being treated, under charges of “being a member of an illegal organization” in March 17, 2015. Erkin Selanik’s trial will begin in June 26, 2015 in Şanlıurfa High Criminal Court.On April 19, 2015, HRA received information that Zeki Çelik, who was arrested in 2013 in KCK investigation, has lost his left leg, because his injections, prescribed for his hernia, had been applied by the prison guards instead of medical personnel.On April 24, 2015, HRA received information that İsmail Aslan (62), inmate in Metris (İstanbul) R-type Prison who had been released on April 18, 2014 after he had to be moved to intensive care unit when his jaw was paralyzed due to hemorrhaging in nerve capillaries, was arrested again in accordance with the report from the Council of Forensic Medicine, and put to Samatya Teaching and Research Hospital’s prison ward.On April 24, 2015, HRA received information that Aysel Doğan was being denied release despite her stage 3 ovarian cancer and transferred to Ankara for treatment. Aysel Doğan was arrested in September, 2011 during “KCK investigation” and put to Diyarbakır E-type Prison with Peace Group (the group that came to Turkey from Europe in 1999) which she was a member of.On April 27, 2015, HRA received information that 3 juvenile inmates in Şakran (İzmir) Women’s Prison were kept in solitary confinement because they were pregnant, and were not taken to the infirmary for treatment or medical examination.

On April 30, 2015, HRA received information that İzzet Turan has not been given the medicine, which he purchased with his own money, by the prison administration of Diyarbakir D-type Prison. He had not been released due to the report by the Council of Forensic Medicine despite his medical condition. Izzet Turan’s brother Ahmet Turan stated that Dicle University Faculty of Medicine made a report which states that Ahmet Turan can’t stay in prison due to sepsis, rheumatism, heart diseases, osteoclasis, kidney and liver failure, eye and stomach disorders.On May 1, 2015, HRA received information that Adem Çelik, inmate in Tokat T-type Prison was assaulted, and punished by the prison administration with 20 days of solitary confinement and visitation ban because protested being kept in handcuffs in the vehicle during transit to the hospital.On May 7, 2015, Supreme Court 16th Penal Department has released member of the peace group Aysel Doğan, after she had been transferred to Ankara due to the advancement of her ovarian cancer, after being kept in Diyarbakır E-type Prison despite the illness.HRA Muş branch published a list of inmates who have been reported to be ill. According to this list:1- Azad Payçu: Asthma, bronchitis, stomach ulcers, kidney stone, hemorrhoids, sinusitis, slipped disc, broken spine caused by falling off from third floor.2- Yakup Çakan: Hepatomegalia and slipped disc.3- Erhan Şenyuva: Enlarged lung. Had heart surgery twice and has arrhythmia.4- Abdullah Gölbaşı: Risk of paralyzation on left side of head (may be tumor related).5- Kemal Yalçın: Knee injury and slipped disc.6- Eşref Işık: Hepatitis B7- Bedri Toprak: Hearing problem caused by sepsis in the head.8- Tahir Umuyimilan: Stomach Ulcer, arrhythmia.

9- Şiyar Keklik: Hepatitis B (chronic, possible that it’s type C), stomach ulcer, kidney stone, arrhythmia, infarction.10- Mahmut Yıldız: Chronic epilepsy (advancing).11- Cihan Yaşar: Hepatitis B (advancing), disabled left foot -held together with platinum implants, weakness and numbness on the left foot. Inability to carry his body and bending, weakness in the stomach muscles, asthma, loss of concentration due to head trauma caused by beating, loss of tissue in the hands and the feet due to gunshot wounds, stomach problems. Under risk of cancer due to problems in the abdominal muscles and bowels.Nesip Tarım and Tahir Kurhan from İstanbul Bayrampasa T-2 Prison told HRA Batman branch about their problems in a letter. They also enclosed a list of patients in prison. Since the letter was written in Kurdish, only main problems have been translated;1- “After going on an indefinite hunger strike, we’ve been denied visitations for 8 months and all communication for 1 month. These bans are still ongoing.”     2- “Our friend Halil Adıgüzel, is still hasn’t been released even though his release date was January 15, due to the punishments mentioned above.”3- “Our friends with 1 year of sentences remaining, are being denied their rights of release on probation and transfer to county prisons.”4- “Our right of using the common areas for 10 hours a week is unlawfully denied.”5- “Despite no legal restraint, the prisoners are not allowed to use the same space during visitation. This applies to both open and closed visitations.”            6- “We are not allowed to attend courses or workshops of our individual hobbies. Until now, there has only been a musical instrument course. Our requests in this matter have not been met.”7- “48 of us are staying in 3 rooms, each with a capacity of 10. Some of our friends are sleeping on the floor. Our requests in this matter have been denied citing ‘not having enough space’.”  8- “One of our most important problems is that the administration dismisses our requests and bars any opportunities for dialogue.”9-All of our actions have resulted in investigations and/or punishments. This is why we cannot ask for, nor can we exercise our rights.”

SICK INMATES:1- Hacı Bozkurt: Diseases of the colon and related infections of the urinary tract.2- Yusuf Öztürk: Chronic rheumatism.3- Serdar Batur: Rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic heart disease.4- Ramazan Batur: 85% visually impaired.5-Hüseyin İdiğ: Neurological problems stemming from hernia operation, migraine, chronic gastritis ulcer, kidney infection, shortness of breath, blurring in the left eye, sinusitis.6-Tahir Cengiz: Kidney failure, hypertension.7-Nevzat Karabacak: Heart failure, stomach ulcer, sinusitis.8-Yusuf Keklik: Asthma, chronic stomach ulcer.9-İbrahim Tekin: Ribcage injuries (torture-induced).10-Nesip Tarım: Hepatitis-B, swelling of the renal artery, gastritis stomach ulcer, shortness of breath, infection of the lungs, sinusitis.11-Yusuf Demir: Hepatitis-B.          As of May 8, 2015, despite the petitions demanding the release of severely sick inmates, the reports about such inmates continue to be on the negative side. The status of one such inmate, that of heart patient Fatma Toprak from Bakırköy L-Type closed prison has reached a critical point. Following the decline of her condition last week, Toprak was admitted to Mehmet Akif Ersoy Government Hospital’s Cardiology Department. Following her medical examination, she was found to have suffered irreversible damage to four of her already hardened heart valves.

It was determined that inmate Y.D., who had been arrested regarding the case of the killing of 4 members of Hür Dava Partisi (Free Cause Party) in the Bağlar district of Diyarbakır province during Kobane resistance, despite camera records showing that he was in the hospital during the event, was transferred to Diyarbakır Gazi Yaşargil Education and Research Hospital due to his medical condition.

On March 15, 2015, 80 year old Haydar Öztürk-one of 5 Turkish citizens apprehended on April 2, 2015 on charges of belonging to the “KCK” (Koma Civaken Kurdistan-Group of Communities in Kurdistan) suffered a heart spasm at Erzurum H-type prison. He was transferred to Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital where he underwent an angioplasty. While this piece of news was kept from the inmate’s family members, their lawyers happened to come upon it by coincidence. Lawyer Aylin Kırıkçu of Açılım Law Office shared the following notes of their meeting with their clients at Amasya E-Type Prison: “I have met our clients from Amasya E-Type prison, Yılmaz Karaaslan and Mert Yazar, both convicted of the charges of “being members of TKP/ML-TİKKO organization.” Our meeting took place on April 21, 2015 and I have been informed of several rights violations that are taking place during their incarceration. As per our clients’ statements, inmates in Amasya Prison are being transferred to hospitals in handcuffs, and when they object they are assaulted and returned to prison without receiving medical care. Our client Yılmaz Karaaslan suffered this treatment twice in early February, having being assaulted, denied his right to receive medical attention, and returned to prison. Finally, having faced a similar action last week, our client informed his family of the situation by telephone. According to the account he gave, my client was transferred to hospital in handcuffs and was physically assaulted during transit; he was assaulted again at the hospital for wanting the handcuffs removed; and on return barely spared being put in solitary confinement with the intervention of other inmates. Although my client’s health issues are not critical, being returned to prison without receiving treatment causes severe problems for some of the other inmates. Other rights violations include:denial of access to common areas without identification;  and (as of yet unimplemented) 5+5 limitation on books in Amasya Prison. Further details could be obtained through additional meetings.  Finally today, April 25, 2015, when we called and asked the warden about our client’s status, he initially declared that there have been no problems and since he had no disciplinary issues, it would have been  impossible for him to have been subjected to solitary confinement. When we related the details we received from the families, the warden then stated that the said problem with the handcuffs at the hospital would come under the jurisdiction of the gendarmerie, and not of the prison itself. He further stated that an assault report already existed and that the matter now belonged to the Prosecutor’s office. Our client wishes non-governmental organizations to be informed of the situation and declares that he will file a criminal complaint. We would like you to note and to report these arbitrary practices and attempts at suppressing the inmates at Amasya Prison as examples of the violations of their rights.  On March 13, 2015, it was reported that Devrim Burakmak, a schizophrenic inmate from Istanbul’s Metris (İstanbul) R-type Prison, remained imprisoned despite his five attempts at suicide, his appeals for release and the existence of reports documenting his condition.

On June 3, 2015, after suffering a severe decline on her health status, Fatma Tokmak, who had remained imprisoned at Bakırköy (İstanbul) L-type Prison despite the existing damage to her heart valves and a 2.5 centimeter calcification in her heart arteries, was admitted to the cardiology unit of the Doktor Sadi Konuk Education and Research Hospital.

On June 16, 2015, 36 year old Rıza Kazıcı, inmate at Kandıra (Kocaeli) T-type Prison on charges related to the PKK case who had undergone an operation on his colon, died at Özel Körfez Marmara Hospital, following a postoperative infection that manifested under prison conditions.

On June 24, 2015, HRA determined that their appeal for the postponement of 32 year old Celal Şeker’s sentence was denied. Şeker is 96% disabled and remains an inmate at Diyarbakır D-type Prison.   On June 24, 2015, Emel Gültekin, female inmate in Siirt E-Type prison, suffered inhumane conditions during his stay in the hospital. She has appealed to HRA and to TUHAD-DER (a civil society organization dealing with sick inmates’ rights) and has applied to the prosecutor’s office following what she lived through during her 10 day stay at the inmates’ quarter of the Siirt Government Hospital. Gültekin, who had undergone an operation on her knee and a hernia, had to appeal to the doctor about the unhealthy conditions to which she was subjected. There was hardly any ventilation in the room she was staying in, and the air conditioning seemed to suck out whatever oxygen was present in the room. She was given clean sheets only twice and had to eat in her bed because there was no table to eat at. Gültekin who went on a hunger strike to object to these conditions reported the following: “Towards the end of my stay, not only was there no clean air in the room, there was no regular cleaning of the room and no trash removal. Food was given out at irregular times.” Gültekin asserted that she had been held in the cramped quarters despite suffering from claustrophobia and having a report stating her condition. She added: “I was feeling ill several times but no one intervened. They had to call emergency services to give me a tranquilizing shot. They finally got someone to give me the shot but he/she left without speaking a word to me. All of my appeals remain unanswered. All of my rights were violated without searching for a solution because of the absence of an institution with any accountability. The hospital points to the prison, the prison points to the hospital and as a result I cannot find the right place to file my complaints.”On July 2, 2015, inmate Cengiz Sinan Halis Çelik from Istanbul’s Metris R-Type prison was shuttled to Silivri No.9 F-Type prison through an unsolicited transfer. Convicted under the PKK case, Çelik suffers from epilepsy as well as advanced stage bladder cancer and needs regular treatment.

On July 2, 2015, HRA received information that the Council of Forensic Medicine had yet to make a statement regarding the health status of inmate Hasan Çetin from Alanya (Antalya) L-Type prison. Çetin is proven to be 73 percent mentally disabled and is unable to survive on his own. On July 3, 2015, TUHAD-DER (an advocacy and support organization for the families of arrested and/or convicted individuals in Diyarbakır) held a press conference addressing the issues of neglect regarding the health status of inmate Yılmaz Kahraman. Kahraman’s sister Remziye said that her brother was diagnosed with a brain tumor in February 2015 and that the prison authorities refused to have him undergo surgery by claiming the doctors were on leave and that the necessary tools were dysfunctional. On July 3, 2015, HRA received information that retired Rear Admiral Cem Aziz Çakmak lost his life at Istanbul’s Yedikule Chest Diseases Hospital where he had been receiving treatment for lung cancer since February 2014. Çakmak was arrested in 2011 under the operation dubbed “Sledgehammer” and had developed lung cancer during his incarceration. He was subsequently released following the decision to suspend his penalty. On July 5, 2015, an anonymous sick inmate from Çanakkale E-Type prison was brought into the emergency room of Çanakkale State Hospital. He was returned to prison without being seen when an argument ensued because the doctor wanted the soldiers out of the observation room according to the Istanbul Protocol.

On July 8, 2015, Hasan Aşa, sick inmate who has to undergo regular dialysis, was arrested and put in Mardin E-Type Closed Prison last year due to his conviction under charges of “being a member of an illegal organization” and engaging in “propaganda for an illegal organization”. Hasan Aşa, 44, known as "Hevalê Hêja" in Kızıltepe, faces an unknown future as his life may be at risk due to his health condition. He has lost function in both of his kidneys and is transported to Mardin State Hospital for treatment every two days. He is handcuffed each time he is returned to prison and faces the added agony of being placed

inside the prison shuttle. Aşa, who was previously arrested in 2011 for “being a member of an illegal organization,” is not being released despite the medical report proving he suffers from kidney failure.  Aşa is seen as having lost a significant amount of weight in photographs taken during his treatment at Mardin State Hospital.  

On July 14, 2015, Ahmet Kahraman applied to our HRA Diyarbakır office and declared: “Yılmaz Kahraman, my brother, was arrested in December 2009 and sent to Adana Kürkçüler F-Type Prison. He was later sentenced to 13 years and 6 months in prison. He was later transferred to İskenderun M-Type Prison, then back to Kürkçüler, and then to Kırıkkale Hacılar F-Type. There he was diagnosed with a tumor on his pituitary gland. It was decided that he should be operated on 5 months ago, however the operation has yet to be performed. He was recently transferred to Sincan No.1 F-type Prison and still remains in there. A further decision was made about the need for an operation when he was transferred to Ankara Numune Hospital and yet he was sent back to Sincan No. 1 F-Type Prison for there was no prisoner ward at the Ankara hospital. Yılmaz submitted 3 written applications for his transfer to No.2 F-type Prison, but these applications have been denied. We demand that he receives treatment (as he faces the risk of dying) and gets  transferred to Sincan No.2 F-Type Prison, where a number of his friends are also held.On July 17, 2015, HRA received information that Kürkçüler (Adana) F-Type Prison inmate Kemal Özelmalı (51), a prisoner for 30 years and suffering from Wernicke Korsakoff syndrome, can hardly remember anything and must depend on his inmate friends for his daily living needs.

On July 21, 2015, 10 (non-political) inmates suffered food poisoning after consuming a cake they ate at  M-Type prison in İskele quarter of Tuşba district of Van.They complained of nausea, vomiting and stomach aches to the prison administration and were put in ambulances and taken to hospitals in the city for treatment. A case in point regarding the treatment of sick inmates in the prison system: On July 23, 2015, Zafer Yıldız from Edirne E-Type prison, was seen by a prison doctor who prescribed him medicine for athlete’s foot. When seen by another doctor at a state hospital later on, Yıldız was diagnosed with Arnold-Chiari malformation.On August 1, 2015, HRA received information that Mehmet Durgun (34), inmate under arrest in Van F-Type Prison, was being denied release despite his applications on the grounds that he is 80% paralyzed. Durgun’s treatment has been interrupted by his imprisonment as it was reported that he was forcibly transferred from Diyarbakır to Bandırma, Şırnak, and finally to Van instead of receiving the necessary physical therapy regimen.On August 6, 2015, it was reported  that applications for release by Feride Arbuz, inmate in Karataş (Adana) Women’s Prison, were denied by the Ministry of Justice. Arbuz suffers from breast cancer and the level of her illness has been exacerbated due to prison conditions.   

On August 14, 2015, it was reported that Meryem Abi, inmate at Şırnak T-Type Closed Prison, is not only being denied treatment for Behçet’s Disease (an illness affecting her for the last 7 years) but she  is being subjected to maltreatment and unsolicited transfers as well. Abi, whose health has been worsening due to  prison conditions, was returned untreated from Diyarbakır Gazi Yaşargil Education and Research Hospital, where she was sent for treatment. Abi suffers from several mouth ulcers that make it impossible for her to be fed properly and her illness is rapidly spreading throughout her body. Abi’s friends and family are especially disgruntled about the attitude of the doctors in Diyarbakır, stating that the treatment seems to have been conducted “as a formality” and that it has aggravated Abi’s condition. Her friends have been calling for sympathy, asserting that she’s been left to die by having been sent back to prison in her current condition. On August 14, 2015, cancer patient and life convict Erol Zavar was assaulted by soldiers in transit to the hospital. He stated that he was physically assaulted in front of the doctors, while being taken to Numune Hospital Urology Department for objecting to being handcuffed during treatment. Zavar asserted that the soldiers refused to take off the handcuffs despite

the doctor’s  instructions, and stated in his letter: “The doctor said the cuffs could be taken off, but the sergeant on duty did not. While the argument about the handcuffs was going on, the sergeant and two privates who had premeditated the assault attacked me. They forced me to the ground, handcuffed me from behind, obstructed my treatment and dragged me through the hospital corridors all the way to the prison shuttle. As a result of being assaulted and dragged, there are bruises on my back, scratches and bruises on my arms, swelling on my left wrist and thumb, and scratches on my left knee and calf.”On August 17, 2015, HRA received information that, Mehmet Zeki Karataş, inmate in Dinar (Afyonkarahisar) D-Type Prison who suffers from diabetes and epilepsy, was subjected to strip searches during transfers to the prison infirmary and the hospital, and that he was being denied treatment for objecting.On August 25, 2015, Aynur Pekdemir Ayaz made an application to our HRA Diyarbakır office stating the following: “My husband İsmet Ayaz was taken into custody and then arrested in the courthouse where he was submitting a petition.  He is being held in the D-Type Prison at the moment. My husband has been in prison for 20 years and has developed celiac disease during his incarceration. His medical reports reveal that he is 50% disabled, he also suffers from thyroid cancer. My husband cannot survive in prison, we are worried about his health. I request legal assistance from you.”On September 6, 2015, HRA received information that, Hamiyet Vural, inmate on a hunger strike at Malatya prison, was first placed in solitary confinement and then unsolicitedly transferred to Elbistan E-Type Closed Prison. Vural outlined the situation in a letter stating: “On the third day of the strike, they told me they were going to put me in solitary, and I objected saying ‘I don’t have a solitary penalty’. However, they forced me into solitary. The cell was filthy and cramped. There was one bed, and was very dirty, wet, and stinky. I told them I wouldn’t sleep on that bed. They replied that I would, like everyone else. I slept on old newspapers I put on the ground. Moreover, I declared that I would limit my strike to water only, and did so. They pressured me to end the strike: Tens of people would crowd into the cell, putting psychological pressure on me and telling me to give up. Then I learned that the vice-warden had given explicit instructions for not replacing that bed.  I stayed in that cell for 8 days, drinking only water. I had serious health issues. While I was being taken into solitary, male inmates in wards D-1 and D-2 were assaulted by a group of 70-80 guards called ‘the A-team,’ for objecting to their forced separation from the rest of the prisoners on strike. Right after I handed down  my strike to another inmate, they picked me up early in the morning claiming they were taking me to hospital, and brought me to Elbistan Prison."On September 14, 2015, Koçer Fidancan applied to our HRA Diyarbakır office and stated: “My son has been held in Diyarbakır D-Type Prison for the last 15 months. He was sentenced to 5 years and 6 months in total. He is in poor medical condition. He has been in solitary confinement for the past month. Psychologically, he is in terrible shape. The last time I visited him, he could hardly stand still. He was covered in dirt. He didn’t even recognize me. I don’t know what to do, and I desperately need help. I am requesting that your association takes the necessary actions in this matter.”On September 14, 2015, HRA received information that Ozan Yılmaz, inmate under arrest in Van F-Type Closed Prison, was being denied treatment for his injuries. The inmate, who studies Psychological Counseling in Marmara University, was wounded when an unknown object exploded in his hand, severing his left hand from the wrist and injuring his left leg. Lawyer Ümit Dede, Mesopotamian Legists’ Association Co-chairperson, who met Yılmaz about the rights violation in question, pointed out that the treatment of Yılmaz was unconscionable, and that political inmates were effectively under torture ever since the conflicts began.

On October 2, 2015, HRA received information that Fatma Gökhan, female inmate held in Diyarbakır E-Type Closed Prison, had been assaulted and dragged from the 3rd floor of the hospital to the prison shuttle, for refusing to be examined in the presence of soldiers.On October 2, 2015, HRA received information that Mehmet Emin Özkan (76), sick inmate held under arrest for 22 years, accused of murdering Brigadier General Bahtiyar Aydın,

wasn’t being released despite all efforts. His son wasn’t being allowed to attend him in the hospital where he’s held.On October 5, 2015, Abdullah Demirbaş, Sur ex-mayor held under arrest, was released from Diyarbakır D-Type Prison in consideration of his medical condition, and in response to applications from family as well as non-governmental organizations.

On October 13, 2015, HRA received information that sick inmate Yılmaz Kahraman was forcibly transferred to Silivri Prison. Kahraman had recently been transferred from Ankara Sincan No.1 F-Type prison to Metris Prison in order to receive medical treatment in response to protests from human rights advocates. Having lost kidney function and eyesight due to the impeded treatment of his brain tumor, Kahraman was expected to undergo surgery at the time of this forcible transfer.  On October 14, 2015, HRA received information that political inmate Resul Özbey, held at Van F-Type Prison since July, was being denied treatment for his tuberculosis despite medical reports submitted to prison officials by his family and his attorneys.On November 12, 2015, an alarming situation arose after the status of Resul Özbey, political inmate suffering from tuberculosis and being denied treatment in Van F-Type Closed Prison, was made public on October 14, in a news report titled “tuberculosis patient inmate awaits treatment”. The sick inmate who then reapplied to the prison administration for treatment was told “Your news report was released by Dicle News Agency. We won’t even take you to the infirmary anymore.” The case was disclosed by Özbey’s attorney, Sevda Aydın, Mesopotamian Legists’ Association Van Office administrator.On November 18, 2015, HRA received information that 7 sick inmates from Şırnak T-Type Prison, İzzet Sevilgen, Selahattin Kılınç, Hikmet Kara, Emin Sosin, Ramazan Özyiğit, Rıdvan Tanış, and Mehmet Tosun were subjected to unsolicited transfers to Erzurum Type H Prison. They had earlier been brought from Şırnak to Van M-Type Prison for treatment.On November 21, 2015, HRA received information that inmate Halil Yılmaz from Bandırma Prison, who is 50% mentally disabled, is being denied treatment and that his condition is worsening. TAYD-DER İzmir Office Co-chairperson Musa Karbadağ stated that Yılmaz should be released as soon as possible to resume his treatment, claiming that the AKP government would be held responsible for whatever ill may fall upon Yılmaz otherwise.On November 21, 2015, HRA received information that Hasan Aslan, age 85, and Yahya Altun, age 80, inmates from Van M-Type Closed Prison were struggling with illnesses that they contracted in part due to harsh prison conditions, and that their requests for treatment were often being denied. The sick inmates who apply to the Ministry of Justice for release not only face rejections for it, but they risk unsolicited transfers as well.

On November 27, 2015, HRA received information that Mehmet Nesih Sarıkaya, critically ill inmate from Kandıra No.2 F-Type Prison was nearly left to die, not having received any treatment for illnesses suffered as a result of the torture he received during the time of his incarceration 19 years ago. His brother Nesim Sarıkaya said they had no tolerance left for the eventuality of a coffin leaving the hospital, and declared: “AKP and Erdoğan are committing a crime against humanity”.On December 2, 2015, 21 political inmates (including 3 females) from Şırnak T-Type Prison, were temporarily transferred to Van M-Type Prison for the documenting and treatment of their health issues. While the sick inmates expected to return to Şırnak T-Type Prison after the proceedings, they were subjected to unsolicited transfers to various prisons in the Black Sea Region.

On December 3, 2015, HRA received information that young Yusuf Taş, holder of a public hospital’s medical report stating he is 75% mentally disabled, had been under arrest and pending trial for two years. Taş, declared to “have full criminal responsibility” by the Council of Forensic Medicine, is reported to have been arrested through a policeman’s testimony and that his detention was being extended due to  “a flight risk” claimed by an incarcerated witness.

On December 6, 2015, HRA received information that the treatment of sick inmates  was being hindered. The treatment for Van F-Type Closed Prison inmate Resul Özbey was being denied on the grounds that “the roads are trapped, we are unable to send out vehicles”. Özbey suffers from tuberculosis, chronic asthma and rheumatism. HRA has received information that Murtaza Dağ, sick inmate from Tekirdağ No.1 F-Type Prison was released on December 11, 2015. Dağ, who had fallen ill with the autoimmune disease hemolytic anemia while in prison, had been formerly denied release even though his sentence had ended on November 29, 2015.  

Violations of The Right to Communication and Expression in PrisonsOn January 5, 2015, HRA received information that Huri Yılmaz, wife of Mesut Yılmaz, inmate under arrest in Silivri (İstanbul) Prison, was banned from visitation for one month for “compromising prison security” as a result of a past argument with the guards.On February 16, 2015, HRA received information that Hasan Cemal’s  book “Çözüm Sürecinde Kürdistan Günlükleri” (Kurdistan Diaries  in the Resolution Process) requested by the inmates was banned by the prison administration declaring “the book will not be handed out despite the absence of a legal ban on the book”.On March 17, 2015, HRA received information that inmate Kenan Avcı’s article titled “Şorişa Rojawani” written for the newspaper Azadiya Welat was confiscated by prison administration on the grounds that it was “objectionable.” Avcı is held at Tekirdağ No.2 F-Type prison.On July 9, 2015, the applications of the attorneys for PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, whose requests for meeting their client had been repeatedly denied since July 27, 2015, were rejected once again. While past reasons for denying the attorneys’ access included “adverse weather conditions” or “broken coaster”, the most recent reason cited was  “the ship is in maintenance”. The applications of a total of 100 attorneys made through Asrın Law Office, Free Legists’ Association (Özgür Hukukçular Derneği - ÖHD), and Mesopotamian Legists’ Association (Mezopotamya Hukukçular Derneği - MHD)  were also denied, due to “ship maintenance”.

On August 26, 2015, 2 inmates protesting at Denizli D-Type Prison were reported to have faced undue pressure and that they were denied their newspapers and magazines by the prison administration.On September 1, 2015, HRA received information that Abdullah Öcalan, PKK leader held in İmralı High Security Prison, was being denied the book set Democratic Nation Solution (Demokratik Ulus Çözümü), authored by Öcalan himself, on the grounds that it contained “propaganda for an illegal organization”.On December 4, 2015, HRA received the information that DBP employee Orhan Meraç and his pregnant wife Sevda Meraç were arrested on November 25, and that the couple’s 15,13 and 9 year old children were left behind. The children stated that their parents were taken from them, sent away to distant cities, and that  “It has become impossible for us to communicate with them. We can’t even get to them by phone.”On December 11, 2015, it was reported that Mehmet Öcalan (brother of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan) as well as family members of other İmralı inmates were once again denied visitation. İmralı has been closed to visitation by inmates’ relatives since October 6, 2014.Disciplinary Penalties in PrisonsOn May 6, 2015, HRA received information that 26 inmates in Osmaniye T-Type prison were punished and given solitary confinement by the prison administration for “shouting slogans while knocking on doors”.Lawyer Aylin Kırıkçu of Açılım Law Office shared the following notes of their meeting with their clients at Amasya E-Type Prison: “I have met our clients from Amasya E-Type prison, Yılmaz Karaaslan and Mert Yazar, both convicted of the charges of “being members of TKP/ML-TİKKO organization.” Our meeting took place on April 21, 2015 and I have been informed of several rights violations that are taking place during their incarceration. As per

our clients’ statements, inmates in Amasya Prison are being transferred to hospitals in handcuffs, and when they object they are assaulted and returned to prison without receiving medical care. Our client Yılmaz Karaaslan suffered this treatment twice in early February, having being assaulted, denied his right to receive medical attention, and returned to prison. Finally, having faced a similar action last week, our client informed his family of the situation by telephone. According to the account he gave, my client was transferred to hospital in handcuffs and was physically assaulted during transit; he was assaulted again at the hospital for wanting the handcuffs removed; and on return barely spared being put in solitary confinement with the intervention of other inmates. Although my client’s health issues are not critical, being returned to prison without receiving treatment causes severe problems for some of the other inmates. Other rights violations include:denial of access to common areas without identification;  and (as of yet unimplemented) 5+5 limitation on books in Amasya Prison. Further details could be obtained through additional meetings.  Finally today, April 25, 2015, when we called and asked the warden about our client’s status, he initially declared that there have been no problems and since he had no disciplinary issues, it would have been  impossible for him to have been subjected to solitary confinement. When we related the details we received from the families, the warden then stated that the said problem with the handcuffs at the hospital would come under the jurisdiction of the gendarmerie, and not of the prison itself. He further stated that an assault report already existed and that the matter now belonged to the Prosecutor’s office. Our client wishes non-governmental organizations to be informed of the situation and declares that he will file a criminal complaint. We would like you to note and to report these arbitrary practices and attempts at suppressing the inmates at Amasya Prison as examples of the violations of their rights.  On March 5, 2015, political inmate Agit Aslan,  publicized several rights violations taking place at Van F-Type Closed Prison by declaring that 60 inmates were placed in solitary confinement for  “starting a hunger strike” and “drilling holes in walls”. Aslan declared that the arbitrary dispensation of solitary confinement practices were commonplace at the prison. He said “we are in solitary a minimum of 10 days a month,” drawing attention to rights violations. Aslan further added that  the solitary confinement penalties interfered with their rights to communicate, to receive visitors and to hold social activities. On June 25, 2015, HRA received information that inmate Mehmet Aktaş from MIdyat (Mardin) M-Type Prison had been in solitary for one week. The length of the confinement was not revealed, only that solitary confinement was a penalty for breaking and keeping the ventilation door open. On July 21, 2015, Hüseyin Aslan applied to HRA Diyarbakır office declaring: “My older brother Hüseyin Ay has been in prison for about 3 years. He is convicted to 11 years. He has been in Şırnak E-Type Closed Prison for about 10 months. For the first few months in Şırnak, he had no problems. But later when we tried calling him, the prison administration told us he couldn’t receive calls because he was under disciplinary penalties. We think my brother is in isolation and under pressure. We haven’t had a chance to visit him in prison. We lost our father recently, and he has been keeping his problems to himself so as not to further demoralize our eldest brother. However, when I spoke to him on the phone yesterday, he did point out that he was in  bad shape due to the pressure he suffers from in prison.  He has started a hunger strike and in the psychological state that he is in, has sewn his mouth shut. We are worried about his health. I request legal assistance from you.”On September 6, 2015, HRA received information that 8 inmates on hunger strike in Malatya E-Type Prison were put in solitary confinement.On September 23, 2015, 24 inmates who  participated in a hunger strike between August 15 and September 15 at  Muş E-Type Closed Prison were given a one month long “deprivation of rights” penalty by prison authorities. They were demanding an end to PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s isolation, asking for the timely delivery of YPG and YPJ members’ corpses held in border gates, and for the cessation of politically motivated genocidal practices.

On September 23, 2015, 24 inmates from Muş E-Type Prison who had joined in to support the month-long hunger strike going on in other prisons were punished with a one month ban on all activities and visitations.On September 30, 2015, HRA received information that Şerife Karadaş, female inmate in Van M-Type Closed Prison, asked to embrace her mother at the end of open visitation on September 7, and was insulted by a guardian saying “scum, you have no right to be sad after what you’ve done”, to which Karadaş retorted. Karadaş and a friend were punished with a 2-month communication ban as a result. Leyla Acar, one of the visitors who were present during the incident related the following: “Near the end of open visitation, one of the inmates asked permission to embrace her mother. The guard refused and arbitrarily declared he was going to write a report. We told him there was no need for a written record, as the visitation was not over yet. The guard then turned towards the inmates and said ‘scum, you have no right to be sad after what you’ve done, to which everyone there reacted. The guard who had made the statement was taken out of the room by another guard. No one there had any physical interaction with the guard in question”.On October 1, 2015, HRA received information that 4 political inmates in Mersin E-Type Closed Prison ward C12 were subjected to verbal assault and arbitrary treatment by the prison administration. It was reported that 4 political inmates (held among the rest of the non-political inmates) were told to “visit the warden to kiss his hand and wish him a happy feast” during the Eid holiday.  When the said inmates retorted “why doesn’t the warden come and congratulate our holiday, we’d even show him hospitality”, the warden punished them with an arbitrary ban on phone calls. The inmates, denied from making phone calls since the Eid holiday, have put in several written applications requesting to meet with the prison administration but were disregarded every time.  It was further reported that the inmates were met with insults by the  guards when they asked to make phone calls.On October 3, 2015, HRA received information that 34 inmates from Batman M-Type Prison were punished with 7 days in solitary confinement and one month ban from visitations for objecting to body searches. On November 10, 2015, HRA received information that inmates Fatma Gökhan and Pınar Kekik from Diyarbakır E-Type Prison were assaulted inside the prison shuttle while in transit to the hospital. The prison administration then gave Gökhan and Kekik 5 days in solitary confinement for “resisting an officer on duty” and for “shouting slogans”.Unsolicited Transfers On January 13, 2015, HRA received information that Halit Yavuz ve Bekir Aydoğan, inmates held in Metris (İstanbul) T-Type Prison pending the PKK lawsuit, were subjected to unsolicited transfers to Düzce T-Type Prison, where no other political inmates are held.On January 18, 2015, HRA received information that Erdi Olhan, inmate convicted to 3 years in prison on charges of promoting an illegal organization on October 4, 2012, and who was held in Erzurum H-Type Closed Prison, had been subjected to an unsolicited transfer to Horasan K2-Type Closed Prison where no other political inmates are held.  Olhan has less than one year until his term ends, he has been held among non-political inmates for 50 days, and his multiple requests for transfer to a prison that holds political inmates have been denied.  Having difficulty enduring the oppression and insults of the non-political inmates, Olhan engaged in a hunger strike for 15 days.On January 19, 2015, HRA received information that 7 inmates held under arrest in Ermen (Karaman) M-Type Prison pending the PKK lawsuit were subjected to unsolicited transfers to Bolu F-Type Prison.On March 12, 2015, 5 children held at Van M-Type Prison, where claims of abuse and torture were made, were unsolicitedly transferred to Kalkandere (Rize) M-Type Prison or Sincan (Ankara) Youth Detention Center on charges of having started a fire in the prison ward.On March 14, 2015, Mehmet Emin Akdağ, sick (80% paralyzed) inmate who was arrested in Van in 2012 under charges of “aiding and abetting a criminal organization”, was transferred from Elbistan E-Type Closed Prison to Gürpınar Prison. Akdağ, who is 80% paralyzed and wheelchair-bound, is being denied parole by Gürpınar Prosecutor’s Office and is having the

Repentance Law imposed on him even though his prison term will be reaching its end in only three months.  

On March 17, 2015, HRA learned of an investigation at Van M-Type Closed Prison, involving 5 juvenile political inmates accused of setting fire to the ward’s beds during a fight with non-political inmates. The 5 children were subjected to unsolicited transfers to prisons in Rize and Ankara during the course of the investigation.On March 30, 2015, HRA received information that Mehmet Salih Atmaca(60) was unsolicitedly transferred from Maltepe (İstanbul) Open Prison to Devrek (Zonguldak) Open Prison. His family declared that he was under constant pressure for reading the newspapers Özgür Gündem and Azadiya Welat and that this was the reason of his enforced transfer.

On April 14, 2015, inmate Erkin Selanik from Şanlıurfa E-Type Prison could not be treated for his injured eye at Gaziantep University Teaching Hospital for the lack of a prisoner ward, and then unsolicitedly transferred to Osmaniye T-Type Prison. Selanik had returned to Türkiye after being wounded in an ISIS attack during reconstruction work in Kobanê and was arrested in the Şanlıurfa hospital he was being treated at. He was charged with “membership in an illegal organization” on March 17, 2015. The hearings for his case will begin on June 26, 2015 at  Şanlıurfa 2nd High Criminal Court.On April 20, 2015, HRA received information regarding the status of İnan Şimşek, the sole political inmate at Burhaniye (Balıkesir) T-Type Prison. Şimşek, who had asked to be transferred to another prison had had his request denied and is having health problems related to the hunger strike he started 10 days ago following the denial of his transfer request.  

On April 21, 2015, HRA received information that inmate Özgür Eksik from Van F-Type Prison  had been on a hunger strike for 42 days, after having received no response to his request for transfer. Eksik had asked to be transferred to a prison around Mersin so as to make visitations from family easier.

On May 10, 2015, inmate Umut Savaş Koçyiğit from Bingöl M-Type prison was transferred to Erzurum Oltu T-Type Prsion. Koçyiğit was arrested on April 10  in conjunction with the October 9, 2014 attack on BIngöl Police Commissioner Atalay Ürer, where two policemen were killed. He was being held at the Bingöl prison along with two other inmates arrested for “membership in an illegal organization.”  All three inmates were reported to have been transferred and placed among non-political inmates on visitation day. It was noted that there were no political prisoners at the Erzurum prison and that the entire prison population consisted of non-political inmates.  

On May 20, 2015, HRA received information that 37 PKK and KCK lawsuit inmates from Silivri No.2 L-Type, Ümraniye T-Type and E-Type, and Metris T-Type prisons were taken to Silivri No.9 F-Type Prison at nighttime. TUAD reported that journalist Mikail Barut, Cesim Yıldırım, Ercan Atay, Mehmet Beyazıt, Mahsun Tuman, Selçuk Yıldızhan, 12 PKK lawsuit inmates from Ümraniye E-Type Prison, 16 inmates from Ümraniye T-Type Prison, and 3 inmates from Metris T-Type Prison were forcibly transferred to newly established Silivri No.9 Prison. TUAD President Arif Yılmaz declared that a plan for gathering all of the PKK lawsuit inmates and political inmates at the new Silivri No.9 Prison was set in motion. Yılmaz added that the  transfer of the female political inmates from Bakırköy Closed Prison for Women to Silivri was also being plotted, according to information received from their families.On June 19, 2015, HRA received information that inmate Sinan Gül who was being held in a T-Type Prison, had been taken from his ward 2 days before the parliamentary elections with the excuse of meeting the warden, then he was forcibly transferred to Hacılar (Kırıkkale) F-Type Prison.It was reported that Gül was subjected to  abuse by soldiers and guards during transit, as well as to a strip search upon entry.

On June 26, 2015, HRA received information that 3 juvenile inmates, İ.A. (17), M.E. (17), and A.C. (17), held under charges of “membership in an illegal organization” were unsolicitedly transferred from Siirt E-Type Prison to Siverek (Şanlıurfa) T-Type Prison without any notification received by their families and their lawyers.On July 6, 2015, HRA received information that 3 inmates were removed from their wards in Osmaniye No.2 T-Type Prison for supposedly “discussing parliamentary elections” and ended up being forcibly transferred to other prisons.On August 14, 2015, it was reported that Meryem Abi, inmate in Şırnak T-Type Closed Prison, is not only being denied treatment for Behçet’s Disease from which she’s been suffering for over 7 years, but also she is being subjected to abuse and unsolicited transfers as well. Abi, whose health worsens due to prison conditions, was returned untreated from Diyarbakır Gazi Yaşargil Education and Research Hospital, to where she was sent for treatment. Abi has been having difficulty with feeding because of the  mouth ulcers invading her throat area, and her symptoms have been spreading all over her body. Abi’s friends and family are especially disgruntled about the attitude of the doctors in Diyarbakır, stating that the treatment conducted “as a formality” has aggravated Abi’s condition. Her friends have made an appeal for sympathy, asserting that she’s been left to die, having been sent back to prison in her current condition. On August 19, 2015, HRA received information that 7 inmates unsolicitedly transferred from Şanlıurfa E-Type Prison to Osmaniye No.2 T-Type Prison were assaulted for objecting to a strip search upon entry.On August 20, 2015, HRA received information that 28 inmates were unsolicitedly transferred from Kürkçüler (Adana) F-Type Prison to Hacılar (Kırıkkale) F-Type Prison.On August 22, 2015, HRA received information that 7 unnamed political inmates were assaulted during an enforced transfer on August 19 from Urfa E-Type Closed Prison to Osmaniye T2 Closed Prison. It was reported that the political inmates, who were taken by force in prison shuttles, were subjected to physical abuse at Osmaniye T2 Closed Prison. It was revealed that strip searches were imposed upon the inmates, and that they were severely beaten when they objected.On August 23, 2015, HRA received information that 26 inmates were unsolicitedly transferred from Şanlıurfa E-Type Prison to Antalya L-Type Prison.On August 2015, HRA received information that inmates arrested within Urfa and surrounding districts are continuing to be subjected to unsolicited transfers. Bozan Demir, Ferit Ak, Ömer Kılıç, Murat Abik, Mehmet Naci Yılmaz, Sedat Aydın, İrfan Oğur, Sabri Aydın, and Mehmet Yılmaz had been unsolicitedly transferred from Urfa E-Type Closed Prison to Osmaniye T-Type Prison the previous week. 26 more inmates, including  Yasin Çağan, Mehmet Karakurt, İbrahim Yıldızer, Veysi Tekin, İbrahim Halil Çevik, Sefer Kip, Abdulkadir İpek, Baran İpek, and Mehmet Binici were unsolicitedly transferred to Antalya L-Type Prison the previous night.On August 24, 2015, Silvan and Sur Co-mayors, arrested under charges of proclaiming self-governance in Silvan and Sur Districts of Diyarbakır, were unsolicitedly transferred to Ankara and Kırıkkale prisons. Co-mayor of the Sur district Seyit Narin and Co-chairperson for DBP’s Sur District Ali Rıza Çiçekli were transferred to Kırıkkale F-Type High-Security Prison, while Sur Co-mayor Fatma Şık Barut, Silvan Co-mayor Yüksel Bodakçı and Women’s Academy employee Güneş Ölmez were transferred to Ankara Sincan Prison.On August 24, 2015, 50 political inmates were unsolicitedly transferred from Diyarbakır D-Type Closed Prison to prisons in various cities (Rize, Gümüşhane, Bayburt, and Giresun) in Turkey.On August 30, 2015, HRA received information that a total of 100 inmates were unsolicitedly transferred from Diyarbakır D-Type Prison to various prisons in the Black Sea Region.On August 31, 2015, HDP’s Nusaybin District Co-chairperson Sabiha Gündüz, DBP’s Nusaybin District Administrator Erhan Dinç, MEYA-DER’s Nusaybin Office Head Salih Cebe, and Muhsin Aksan, Co-chairperson of Nusaybin’s Devrim Quarter’s People’s Assembly were unsolicitedly transferred from Mardin E-Type Closed Prison to Sincan and Kırıkkale E-Type Prisons.

On August 31, 2015, political inmates Hayrettin Kahraman, Orhan Kara, Fehmi Yıldız, Hasan Çatal, İbrahîm Dengi, İrfan Hekimoglu, İsmail Taş, Şenol Yoldaş, and Serkan Güngor were unsolicitedly transferred from Adıyaman E-Type Prison to İzmir Şakran No.1 F-Type, Kocaeli Kandıra No.1 F-Type ve Kocaeli Kandıra No.2 F-Type prisons.On September 2, 2015, HRA received information that a total of 194 inmates were forcibly transferred from Diyarbakır D-Type and E-Type prisons to prisons in the Black Sea Region.On September 2, 2015, HRA received information that Sara Kaya, Nusaybin Co-Mayor Sara Kaya and  DBP’s Nusaybin District Co-chairperson Zinnet Ağlan were unsolicitedly transferred from Mardin E-Type Closed Prison to Ankara Sincan Closed Prison for Women. Both Kaya and Ağlan had been arrested on charges of “membership in an illegal organization.”On September 2, 2015, reporter Jacop Philip John Gingell-Hanrahan, cameraman Philip John Pendlebury, and their translator Mohammad Ishmael Rasool were apprehended in Diyarbakır while on assignment for VICE News, an internet-based news channel. When taken to court, they were charged with “voluntarily aiding and abetting an armed illegal organization, albeit without belonging to its organizational hierarchy” and were subsequently sent to Adana Kürkçüler Prison.On September 2, 2015, HRA received information that 29 political inmates from Batman M-Type Closed Prison were forcibly transferred to various prisons in Turkey (Balıkesir L-Type, Kocaeli No.1 F-Type, Tekirdağ No.2 F-Type, Bandırma No.1 T-Type).On September 3, 2015, HRA received information that 12 inmates on a hunger strike in Şırnak T-Type Prison were transferred to various other prisons.On September 14, 2015, 30 Kurdish political prisoners were forcibly transferred from Batman M-Type Closed Prison to various prisons in Turkey for an undisclosed reason.

On September 14 2015, HRA received information that various unsolicited prison transfers from Turkey’s East to its West were continuing. 30 Kurdish inmates were forcibly transferred from Batman M-Type Closed Prison to various prisons in Turkey with no disclosed reason. Eyüp Şahin of Mesopotamian Legists’ Association noted that a group transfer from the previous day involved inmates that had been imprisoned for only 10 days, and that the transfers were nothing short of irrational and unreasonable.

On September 18, 2015, Sayaş Sayak, Abdulkadir Dağ, Mefair Aydın, and one other inmate (name undisclosed) were unsolicitedly transferred from Diyarbakır D-Type Closed Prison to the Closed Prison in Menemen, İzmir. All were all either convicted or awaiting trial in relation to the PKK lawsuits.

On September 20, 2015, HRA received information that 11 political inmates from Adana Kürkçüler F-Type Closed prison were forcibly transferred to Tekirdağ F-Type Closed Prison. Previously on August 21, 28 inmates from Kırıkkale F-Type Closed Prison were also forcibly transferred to the one in Adana.  

On September 20, 2015, HRA received information that 11 inmates held in Kürkçüler (Adana) F-Type Prison were subjected to unsolicited transfers to Tekirdağ T-Type Prison.On October 4, 2015, HRA received information that 26 people who were arrested and held at Batman M-Type Prison for acting as human shields against the military operations of September 18 in Sason, had been forcibly transferred to various prisons. Those 26 included Batman Co-mayor Gülistan Akel, DBP Batman Province Co-chairpersons Mehmet Candemir and Songül Kızıl, and HDP Batman Province Co-chairperson Rojda Sürücü. They were reported to have been forcibly transferred to Kırıkkale and Sincan prisons. The females were taken to Sincan, while the males were taken to Kırıkkale prisons.On October 6, 2015, HRA received information that 9 political inmates from Malatya E-Type Prison were subjected to unsolicited transfers to other prisons. It was reported that Mehmet Yiğit, Diyadin Ablak, Ferhat Pervane Tokat, Gaffar Bayram, Aydın Kara, and Yasin Erkmen

were transferred to Karaman Prison, while Mahsun Yel, Emre Saldaz, and Ahmet Güven were transferred to Ermenek Prison.On October 13, 2015, HRA received information that  sick inmate Yılmaz Kahraman from Metris Prison was transferred to Silivri Prison. Kahraman had previously been transferred to Metris from Ankara Sincan No.1 F-Type Prison for health reasons in response to reactions of human rights advocates. Having lost kidney function and eyesight due to impeded treatment of a brain tumor, Kahraman was expecting to receive surgical treatment, but instead he was subjected to yet another unsolicited transfer.  

On October 13, 2015, HRA received information that juvenile inmates named Jiyan E. (15), Cahit K. (17) and Adem (16), were forcibly transferred from Van M-Type Closed Prison to Ankara. The juveniles were all arrested on July 26 for throwing stones at the police during the protests against the Suruç Massacre in Van’s Erciş district.Their families were denied visitation following the transfer.On October 21, 2015, HRA received information that 16 inmates from  Hakkâri Prison were subjected to unsolicited transfers to prisons in various cities.On November 15, 2015, HRA received information that soldiers and guards at Iskenderun M-Type Closed prison were engaging in torture against inmates who were forcibly transferred there from Mersin E-Type Prison on November 4.  Inmates Cahit Baybaris, Agit Tekin, Mahmut Yıldızbakan, and Salih Ahmed told their families on the phone that prison administration, guards, and soldiers had tortured political inmates the previous day, and that several  inmates were severely injured as a result. According  to the families’ statements, the inmates were subjected to torture during questioning  by the prison administration and that many of the injured inmates were then placed in solitary confinement.On November 18, 2015, HRA received information that 7 sick inmates from Van M-Type prison (İzzet Sevilgen, Selahattin Kılınç, Hikmet Kara, Emin Sosin, Ramazan Özyiğit, Rıdvan Tanış, and Mehmet Tosun) were subjected to an unsolicited transfer to Erzurum H-Type Prison. All 7 had originally been transferred from Şırnak T-Type prison to the one in Van for medical treatment. On November 26, 2015, HRA received information that two inmates under arrest at Elazığ E-Type Prison for membership in the Maoist Communist Party (Maoist Komünist Partisi - MKP) were forcibly transferred. Following the guardians’ physical assault on inmates Sevinç Sönmez, Bahar Demir, Aysel Koç, and Alev Yarar; Demir and Koç were forcibly transferred to Bayburt M-Type Prison.On November 28, 2015, HRA received information that 5 inmates in Erzurum Type H Closed Prison were subjected to unsolicited transfers to Kocaeli and İstanbul via the prison shuttle on November 26.  It was reported that, of the political inmates, Hamza Bulut, Ayhan Kurtulan, Ayhan Erkmen were transferred to Kocaeli Kandıra No.1 F-Type Prison, while Yorgun Bektaşoğlu and Kani Çelik were transferred to İstanbul Silivri Prison.On December 2, 2015, HRA received information that 21 political prisoners (including 3 women) from Şırnak T-Type Prison, were temporarily transferred to Van M-Type Prison for the treatment and the documentation  of their health issues. While the sick inmates expected to return to Şırnak T-Type Prison after the proceedings, they were instead subjected to unsolicited transfers to prisons in various cities of the Black Sea Region.On December 7, 2015, HRA received information that two female college student inmates, Mizgin Özer and Emine Parlayan, were transferred from Antalya L-Type Prison to İzmir Şakran Prison without any notification provided to their families or their lawyers.

Resistance Activities in PrisonsOn January 16, 2015, it was reported that many inmates, 10 of them children, were poisoned from the dinner served at Diyarbakır D-Type Closed Prison. The inmates were sent back to their wards after being checked at the prison infirmary.

On February 21, 2015, HRA received information that Mehmet Ali Kapar from Şakran (Izmir) No.3 T-Type Prison extended the duration of his hunger strike indefinitely. Kapar had started his strike 36 days ago, in reaction to being transferred to Osmaniye No.2 T-Type Prison instead of Mardin E-Type Prison as granted by his transfer request.

On March 17, 2015, HRA received information that an inquiry was started on 5 juvenile political inmates at Van M-Type Closed Prison, for allegedly setting fire to the beds in the ward during a fight with non-political inmates. While the inquiry was ongoing, the 5 children were subjected to unsolicited transfers to prisons in Rize and Ankara.On April 12, 2015, HRA received information that inmates held in Kandıra (Kocaeli) T-Type Prison’s A-28 ward revolted and set fire to ward furniture in reaction to having their transfer requests denied.  It was reported that there were no deaths or injuries due to the fire.  

On April 20, 2015, HRA received information that İnan Şimşek, the sole political inmate at Burhaniye (Balıkesir) T-Type Prison, had started a hunger strike ten days ago and was undergoing some health problems. Şimşek had recently asked to be transferred elsewhere (where he could serve time with other political inmates) but had received no response.  

On April 21, 2015, HRA received information that Özgür Eksik, inmate held at Van F-Type Prison, had been on  a hunger strike for 42 days, in reaction  to his transfer request remaining unanswered. Eksik had asked to be transferred to a prison around Mersin so he could easily receive visitations from family.On July 23, 2015, HRA received information that 3 inmates under arrest for a PKK lawsuit at Manisa E-Type Prison started an indefinite hunger strike to protest the rights violations they have been subjected to.On August 26, 2015, HRA received information that Mehmet Adıyaman and Sinan Şimşek, two inmates on a hunger strike at Burhaniye E-Type Prison,were put in solitary confinement, and denied vitamin B-12 supplements.

On August 27, 2015, HRA received information that inmates participating in hunger strikes at Edirne F-type Prison were subjected to disciplinary penalties such as bans on visitation and telephone calls.

On August 31, 2015, HRA received information that 27 inmates started hunger strikes in groups of 3 for a period of 10 days each at Tekirdağ T-Type Prison. It was reported that prison administration orchestrated wanton ward searches, and denied participants the use of common areas.

On August 31, 2015, HRA received information that 90 inmates started hunger strikes in groups of 9 for a period of 10 days each at Tekirdağ No.1 and No.2 F-Type Prisons. It was reported that the participants were denied the use of common areas, and the necessary vitamins.On August 31, 2015, HRA received information that the inmates started hunger strikes in groups of 4 at Silivri No.5 L-Type Prison, and in groups of 9 in No.9 L-Type Prison. Raids on the wards in question were reported in both prisons.

On November 17, 2015, it was reported that Osman Evcan, vegan inmate at Kandıra (Kocaeli) No.1 Prison, started a hunger strike to protest the prison administration’s confiscation of food packages sent to him.

On November 30, 2015, HRA received information that anarchist inmate Osman Evcan from Kandıra No.1 F-Type Prison had been on a hunger strike since NOvember 10 in order to advocate for his right to maintain a vegan diet. According to reports obtained by HRA, Evcan, an inmate for 23 years, was arrested and convicted to life on charges of being a “member of

an illegal organization” in 1992. He had fought for and won his right to a vegan diet once before but had started the hunger strike when that right was  arbitrarily revoked by the prison administration.General Conditions in PrisonsOn January 16, 2015, it was reported that many inmates including 10 children were poisoned from dinner issued in Diyarbakır D-Type Closed Prison. The inmates were sent back to wards after being checked in the prison infirmary.On January 10, 2015, Veysi Akar applied to our Diyarbakir HRA office and declared: “I have been held under arrest in Diyarbakır D-Type Closed Prison for about 17 years. On November 24, 2014, I submitted a written application to Diyarbakır Family Court, citing my problems with my wife, and consequently my wish to be divorced. I demanded to start divorce proceedings. However, on December 17, 2014, Diyarbakır No.1 Family Court rejected my application indicating that I have no right to start divorce proceedings, that only my custodian or lawyer can make the application. Yet a custodian is only assigned after a conviction. I am not a convict, there is no finalized verdict on me, nor any sentencing. Therefore presumption of innocence is violated by this prejudice. My right to start legal proceedings is infringed. I have no custodian. I have no support from my family, so I am unable to retain a lawyer. I am at an impasse. I have been suffering from severe psychological problems for a long time. I can now say I am pushed to the brink. Thus I am asking for legal assistance from you in order to mend this injustice and to continue my life.”

On February 7, 2015, Derviş Abukan applied to our Van HRA branch and declared: “Last year, in Adana Karataş Prison, on visiting days, they fixed the tables to the floor so that we may not get close to each other. Now we have learned that visit durations were reduced from 45 minutes to 30 minutes. Consequently, the inmates are refusing to attend visitations. So I ask that our situation to be made known to the public through your association.”On February 7, 2015, M. Şefik Uçman applied to our Diyarbakır HRA office representing 18 inmates from Şırnak T-Type Closed Prison and declared: “Although it has been 10 months since the prison started to operate, the needs of the inmates are being disregarded. Prison administration’s unlawful and inhumane policies left us facing vital problems. Despite numerous meetings with the institute’s management on the resolution of these vital problems, they have not been addressed, and with time, deepened and aggravated. Arbitrariness and illegitimacy are abound. In this context, if we are to summarize our problems, our infirmary and hospital dispatches are being delayed for months, and conditions for treatment are not provided. While it is imperative a doctor to be present in the institution every day, doctor is only in the facilities at most once a week, and has been absent for months. 112 calls for emergency are met with apathetic responses; an unlawful and inhumane policy of ‘leaving the inmates to their fates’ is at work. Packages, magazines, and letters sent from outside by our families are left to the arbitrary treatment of the personnel, being held for months, and our connection with the outside is being blocked. We have an ongoing water problem ever since the prison opened up. The cold water given 3 times a day does not meet our basic needs and severely affects our lives. Warm water is given only twice a week for 30-40 minutes and does not meet our cleaning (laundry, personal hygiene, etc.) needs. The situation breeds sickness. In the light of these aforementioned grievances, we appeal for action to be taken in order to immediately end the rights violations and initiation of a civil lawsuit against those responsible. - M.Şefik UÇKAN, Halil İRMEZ, Adem GÖLÇE, Nurettin BAŞARAN, Kamil DOĞAN, Sinan AKIL, Emin AKIL, İskan ÇELİK, Mehmet KANIT, Abdulcabbar İĞDİ, Ahmi ELÇİ, Fethullah BANAR, Sedat ÇAYIR, Kadir AYDEMİR, Sıddık BATUR, Süleyman KATAR, Sait ÇAĞDAVUL, İzzettin YILDIZ.”On February 9, 2015, Lokman Aslan, under arrest in prison pending PKK lawsuit proceedings, was not allowed to attend the funeral of his wife Lale Aslan, who lost her life during skin cancer treatments.On February 23, 2015, 90 male and female political prisoners in Siirt E-Type Closed Prison decided to refuse to attend family visitations for a week, citing rights violations in prisons. As communicated to HRA by a representative who attended the visitation cabin to explain the

reasons for the decision, the number of inmates have increased, and consequently hygiene in wards has been compromised, and there were no doctors in prison despite the presence of 5 severely ill inmates.On April 20, 2015, HRA received information that inmates sentenced to life imprisonment and held at Şakran (İzmir) Women’s Prison were subjected to hourly checks, including at night; and the guardians were reported to wake the women to ask if they were “all right”. Prison administration was said to cite the suicide of an inmate in 2014 as the reason of this practice. The practice was reported to have started with a frequency of every half hour, and its frequency was later reduced to every hour.On April 21, 2015, HRA received information that female visitors to Elbistan (Kahramanmaraş) E-Type Prison were subjected to strip searches as a mode of torture. HRA office released a reported that “security” reasons were cited for the practice imposed upon the women.Lawyer Aylin Kırıkçu and the company of Açılım Law Office shared the notes of their meeting with their clients in Amasya E-Type Prison: “I have met our clients Yılmaz Karaaslan and Mert Yazar, inmates in Amasya E-Type Prison, convicted of the charges of “being members of TKP/ML-TİKKO organization", on April 21, 2015 and I have been informed of several rights violations. As per our clients’ statements, inmates in Amasya Prison are being transferred to hospitals with handcuffs, and when they object they are assaulted and returned to prison without receiving medical care. Our client Yılmaz Karaaslan suffered this treatment twice in early February; he was assaulted, was denied his right to receive medical attention, and he was returned to prison. Finally, last week, having faced similar actions, our client informed his family of the situation. According to account he gave, my client was transferred to hospital with handcuffs again, and was physically assaulted during transit; assaulted again at the hospital when he wanted the handcuffs to be removed; and on his return he was spared being put in solitary confinement only because of the intervention of other inmates. Although my client’s health issues are not critical, being returned without receiving treatment causes severe problems for some other inmates. There are other rights violations such as not being allowed in common areas without identification and (as of yet unimplemented) 5+5 limitation on books in Amasya Prison. Details of the situation can only be established with further meetings. Lastly, today, on April 25, 2015, over a phone conversation with the warden we asked for information about the situation of our client, where the warden initially declared that there have been no problems and for he had no disciplinary issues, it is impossible for him to have been subjected to solitary confinement. When we communicated the details we have received from the families, he stated that a problem with our client may have arised in the hospital due to handcuff issues, but the situation is a problem about the gendarmerie, it was not their issue, there was an outstanding report of an assault, and this was a situation about prosecution. Our client wishes non-governmental organizations to be informed of the situation and declares that he will file a criminal complaint. We would like you to note and report the rights violations these arbitrary practices and approaches aiming to suppress inmates at Amasya Prison entails”.

On July 6, 2015, Ankara Office Prison Commission of Libertarian Legists Association released a report of their meeting with M. Emin Yıldırım, M. Zahir Özbek, Şahin Tanrıverdi, Abdurrahman Dinç, Ahmet Okun, M.Hanifi Eser, Nevzat Demir, and Seyfettin Yaşa, who are inmates in Amasya E-Type Closed Prison. In the written declaration and released report it is stated that the commission was informed of the rights violations in the prison by TUHAD-FED, and that the lawyers visited the prison and met with detainees and convicts. It was noted in the meeting with the inmates in D-5 and D-8 wards that for about a month at the time a new practice of “carrying and presenting prison inmate ID card” was instituted, that it was made obligatory to use the card in all common areas outside of the wards, on phone calls, and at visitations. Any violations were met with revocation of all rights of the inmate and punishment by isolation.On August 2, 2015, it was reported that, following the publication of Ozan Oğuz’s letter in the newspaper Cumhuriyet as an article with the title “Even colors are barred in this prison”, he

and his friends were transferred from Kırıklar (İzmir) No.2 F-Type Prison, where they were being held, to Silivri No.2 L-type Prison.On September 14, 2015, it was revealed that inmates on hunger strike since August 15 in Kırıklar F-type Prison were subjected to being cuffed and shackled in transit to hospital. TAYD-DER İzmir office received a letter stating that it was the company commander of the prison who imposed the practice, and that those objected were restrained from receiving treatment.

On September 17, 2015, inmate Halil Ay reported that attacks on political prisoners in Düzce Prison has been escalating continuously and they were constantly being assaulted by the gendarmerie within the knowledge of the prison administration, and that they were open targets within the prison, with no security of their lives. On the day of the attack at Dağlıca, soldiers threw rocks and sticks to their cells, shouting “allahu akbar” and “we will behead you”, declared Ay, adding that they were harassed on the way to court and to hospital. Ay stated in his letter that they have been held in Düzce Prison for 9 months and the attacks have been ongoing since June. Ay stated that they were held in groups of 6 people in 3-person cells, that their cells were at the end of the corridor where the gendarmerie were keeping watch, and that they were constantly subjected to their harassment. Ay also stated that inmates Mazlum Kaya and Latif Temur were taken to court on September 8, and they were subjected to verbal and physical abuse of the gendarmerie during transit.On November 17, 2015, it was reported that Osman Evcan, vegan inmate at Kandıra (Kocaeli) No.1 Prison, started a hunger strike to protest the confiscation of food packages sent to him, on orders from the prison administration.On November 24, 2015, HRA received information that at Van M-type Closed Prison, political inmates were denied their requests for books, and instead the guardians left religious and nationalist literature at ward doors.On November 30, 2015, it was reported that Osman Evcan, anarchist inmate at Kandıra No.1 F-type Prison, was still on hunger strike that he started on November 10, for his right to have a vegan diet. HRA received information that Evcan, imprisoned for the last 23 years, having been arrested and convicted to life in prison on charges of being a member of an illegal organization in 1992, and who fought for and was granted his right to his vegan diet before, started the strike when his right was arbitrarily revoked by prison administration.On December 4, 2015 it was reported that when DBP employee Orhan Meraç and his pregnant wife Sevda Meraç were arrested on November 25, 2015, leaving their children, ages 15, 13, and 9 behind. The children stated that their parents were distanced from them, having being sent to different cities, and said, “It has become impossible for us to communicate with them. We can’t contact them even by phone.”On December 11, 2015, it was reported that handicapped visitors had immense difficulty accessing the visiting hall at Van M-type Closed Prison as the facilities were not handicapped-accessible.On December 8, 2015, HRA received information that about 20 inmates were assaulted at Sincan (Ankara) Women’s Prison during transport to court for trial, on orders from prison administration. It was reported that this torture was about banning the inmates from carrying books and food to the courthouse.On December 18, 2015, it was alleged that the military-style oral identification procedure forced on the inmates at Tekirdağ F-type Closed Prison was extended to families. Fahriye Ekinçi, wife of Şaban Ekinçi who has been banned from communicating with his family for not complying to the procedure, said, “They want us to say our names first and the other side is asked to indicate whether he/she is going to talk to us before we are allowed to speak. They have out identification and all relevant information. Why do they want us to give these oral reports? We want this procedure revoked.”