Human Rights Association: 1154 Ill Prisoners, 402 in Serious Condition

Click to read the article in Turkish/Kurdish

The Prisons Commission of the Human Rights Association (İHD) has announced there are 1154 ill prisoners in prisons, 402 in critical condition.

The commission drew attention to rights violations and demanded thorough investigation of rights violations, foremost torture and abuse allegations, as well as legal action against those responsible.

"Conditions that threaten mental and physical integrity"

Accordingly Mesopotamia Agency's news piece, İHD Deputy Secretary General in charge of Prisons and Organization Necla Şengül and Central Prisons Commission Member Nehir Bilece made a statement on the subject at İHD İzmir Branch headquarters.

Stating that there are 1154 ill prisoners, 402 of them in critical condition, on İHD's list of ill prisoners, Şengül articulated their demand the immediate release of 402 inmates. Noting also the need for other prisoners to receive treatment as soon as possible, Şengül said these would also enter into the seriously ill category as long as they go untreated.

"Prison conditions threaten inmates' mental and physical integrity," said Nehir Bilece.

According to information given out by the Justice Ministry on November 2, 2017, there are 228,993 arrested/convicted inmates in prisons, reported Bilece, and said there are 386 prisons in Turkey with a total capacity of 208,830. "This means there are 20 thousand inmates sleeping on the floor," said Bilece. (AS/PU)