Prison Blaze Unveils Inmate Rights Abuses

A blaze raged in Hakkari province prison last night, which alarmed fire departments and correction facility guards.

According to CNNTurk, the fire was set in several inmate dormitories briefly after a discussion between an inmate and a prison guard. Firat News Agency reported that inmates launched a rebellion in the prison due to an unknown reason, which caused the blaze.

The incident left Gürsel Yılmaz, a prison guard, hospitalized in a local hospital.

"I have spoken to inmates and everything seems to be under control now," Mehmet Kaya, Chief Prosecutor of Hakkari province.

Several inmate relatives and beloved ones of inmates formed a crowd on the gates of the prison last night for further information.

Human Rights Association of Turkey released its annual report on inmate rights in Sourtheastern Turkey's prisons, which cited at least 3,263 right abuses in 2012.

26 inmates were reported dead and 65 wounded in 2012, the report said.

The association's Diyarbakir province branch said it received 186 torture complaints from various prison in Turkey.

"We have observed several incidents in 2012. Sick inmates lost their lives, killings in Urfa prison, torture and ill-treatment in Pozantı and Şakran prisons. It is obvious that prisons need revision in Turkey," said Resul Tamur from Human Right Association of Turkey. (AS/BM)

* Photo: AA/Yılmaz Kazandıoğlu