Vegan Inmate Evcan on 38th Day of His Hunger Strike

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Vegan inmate Osman Evcan is on 38th day of his hunger strike. Evcan’s lawyer, who visited Evcan in prison, has stated that 60-year-old Evcan has fallen to 54 kilos and his health condition is worsening.

Evcan has been kept in one-person cell and his right to sports has been obstructed since he was sent to Silivri Prison two years ago. His lawyers expressed that Evcan doesn’t speak to anyone but guards, lawyers and visitors, and added that it is very difficult for his family living in Samsun to come to Silivri for visit.

Being on hunger strike since March 26, Evcan doesn’t receive vitamin support. He only feeds on water, lemon, salt and sugar.

Evcan had resisted, regulations had changed

After being sentenced to life imprisonment in 1992, Evcan had gained the right to vegan-vegetarian nutrition for all vegan-vegetarian imprisoners in the wake of his 43-day hunger strike in 2011.

On March 28, 2012 “Amendment Regulations on Food Law Regulation for Convicted, Imprisoned and Penal Institution Employees” had been published on official journal. Thus the paragraph in the earlier regulation implying “sick convicted and imprisoned receive nutrition determined by the institution’s doctor” was changed as “sick convicted and imprisoned receive nutrition determined by dietitians or doctors. Demands of convicted with special dietary habits due to their religion or vegan and vegetarian dietary habits are met under the condition of being limited to the amount of nutrition”.

Evcan had carried his battle to the next level in his 33-day hunger strike and gained the right as he demanded in addition to preparing vegan-vegetarian meals with fresh and seasonal vegetables, that also obstacles before importing vegan food should be removed.

Evcan, imprisoned in Kandıra No 1 F-type Prison has been on hunger strike since November 10 against the arbitrary restraint of his acquired rights. (ÇT/TK)