On 27 March (Thursday), Istanbul members of the Human Rights Association (IHD) and of the Solidarity Platform for Conscientious Objector Ismail Saygi made press statements in front of the Galatasaray school in Taksim, central Istanbul.

Reports of torture

Saygi was arrested ten days ago and initially kept at the Maltepe military prison in Istanbul. The protesters stated that Saygi had told his relatives of being tortured in that prison before being sent to Sarikamis military prison in the east of Turkey.

IHD: Make objection legal

The IHD said that parliament could stop the persecution of conscientious objectors by making legal amendments, and the association has sent letters to the Parliament Speaker and the human rights commission of the parliament.

According to the IHD, the right to conscientious objection should be a fundamental human right enshrined in Article 90 of the constitution. It has called for the release of Saygi and the dropping of trials against conscientious objectors.

Savda:Objectors are maltreated in military prisons

Conscientious objector Halil Savda read a statement in the name of the Solidarity Initiative for Saygi, saying:

“Based on our own painful experiences we worry about the possibility that Saygi will be targeted by the random pressures and restrictions, disciplinary punishments and torture that conscientious objectors are exposed to in military prisons.”

Savda further criticized Turkey for not keeping its promise to the European Union Council of Ministers of changing legislation. In 2006, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found Turkey guilty in the appeal brought by conscientious objector Osman Murat Ülke.

Savda taken into police custody

After reading the statement, Savda was taken into custody by the police, presumably because of his continued refusal to serve his military service.

Savda himself has spent many months in prison before for his refusal to serve in the Turkish Armed Forces.

At the time of writing, Savda was still being held at the Beyoglu police station. (EZÖ/GG/AG)