12 Requests for Prisoners Amid Covid-19 Pandemic

* Photo: İrfan Aydoğdu - Nizip Cezaevi / AA

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Six civil society and professional organizations have released a statement about the Covid-19 pandemic, calling on the authorities to take necessary precautions in prisons and release the prisoners at risk.

The statement has been released by the following six organizations: Human Rights Association (İHD), Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV), Lawyers for Freedom Association (ÖHD), Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD), Health and Social Service Laborers Union (SES) and Civil Society in the Penal System (CİSST) Association.

Noting that prisons are closed institutions with the most limited personal space and hygiene, the statement has underlined that "the dense and moving population and qualities and organization of prisons provide a suitable environment for the spread of such epidemics."

The organizations have further stressed that necessary precautions must be taken in prisons and they must be implemented in respect for human dignity and in a way that will not lead to any violations of rights.

12 requests by organizations

The joint statement has made the following requests and recommendations:

* As seriously ill convicts are at a higher risk in the event of an epidemic disease, the execution of their prison sentences must be deferred by being released and the arrested prisoners must be released.

* Considering the deadly effect of the virus on people especially older than 60, these convicts must be released as a precaution.

* Arrested children, pregnant women or women with children (780 children staying behind bars with their mothers) must be released by considering the best interests of the child.

* Political prisoners facing charges under the Anti-Terror Law (such as MPs, co-mayors, municipal council and provincial general council members, lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders, intellectuals and writers, activists, unionists and students) must be released as soon as possible.

* The bill currently on public agenda must be urgently legislated by considering the principle of equality in execution, the reduction of prison terms and the unjust treatment faced by disadvantaged convicted groups.

* Based on the fact that arrest is an exceptional measure, the conditions of all arrested people must be examined on their files and their release must be ensured as soon as possible.

* Disciplinary punishments that will lead convicts to be deprived of their rights (such as conditional enforcement of prison terms, right to visitation, right of transfer, etc.) must be abandoned.

* In order for prisoners to maintain their health and keep themselves and their environments clean, they must be given free cleaning supplies and the access of those who cannot afford them must be ensured.

* Shared spaces in prisons such as bathrooms and toilets must be disinfected every day.

* It must be ensured that convicts eat sufficiently, properly and healthily and they must be given vitamin supplements.

* Until convicts who are at a higher risk, unable to maintain their personal hygiene due to their chronic diseases, have disabilities, stay with children and are pregnant have the execution of their prison terms deferred by release on probation, they must be held in suitable environments in terms of capacity and hygiene, rather than in crowded wards.

* It is mandatory to regularly inform the public, primarily the families and attorneys of prisoners, about the precautions (to be) taken against the virus outbreak in prisons, the quarantine practices and the health conditions of prisoners. (AS/SD)