‘Prison Release Law Leaves Innocent, Vulnerable Prisoners at Risk of COVID-19’

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Amnesty International has released a statement regarding the Law on Criminal Enforcement that passed the Parliament yesterday (April 13).

Aiming to reduce the prison population in Turkey amid COVID-19 pandemic, the law has excluded political prisoners, criminals of thought and arrested journalists from reduced prison sentences and early release.

CLICK - Parliament Passes Law on Criminal Enforcement

'It is deeply disappointing'

"Prison release law leaves innocent and vulnerable prisoners at risk of COVID-19," Amnesty International has stressed in its statement.

Milena Buyum, the Turkey Campaigner of Amnesty International, has also made the following remarks about the law on criminal enforcement:

"Whilst any steps to reduce the chronic overcrowding in Turkey's prisons are welcome, it is deeply disappointing that the tens of thousands of prisoners in pretrial detention - a measure that must only be used when there are no alternatives to custody - will not be considered for release.

"Those convicted in unfair trials under Turkey's overly broad anti-terrorism laws are also now condemned to face the prospect of infection from this deadly disease.

'Release the ones imprisoned solely for their views'

"Turkey's government must do the right thing and immediately release those who are imprisoned solely for expressing their peaceful views.

"The authorities must also seriously consider releasing all those who are imprisoned pending trial, as well as those who are at particular risk because of their age or underlying health conditions regardless of the charge they have been imprisoned or convicted under."

Details from the law on criminal enforcement

The organization has also shared some details about the law on criminal enforcement, indicating that the new measures do not allow for the release of several categories of prisoners.

"Turkey's overcrowded prisons are particularly dangerous for at risk prisoners, already convicted or in pre-trial detention due to a serious lack of hygiene," the organization has stated and added:

"The new measures do not allow for the release of several categories of prisoner. These include those held in pretrial detention, i.e. those yet to be convicted of any crime; people convicted under overly broad anti-terrorism laws including journalists, lawyers, political and human rights activists who have been imprisoned merely for speaking out; and even those at heightened risk including older prisoners and those with underlying health conditions convicted under anti-terrorism laws.

CLICK - 'Three Prisoners in Open Prisons Died of Covid-19'

"The proposed amendments by to the Law on the Execution of Sentences and Security Measures were approved in Parliament on 13 April, as the Minister of Justice announced that 17 prisoners in five prisons had contracted COVID19 and three prisoners held in open prisons had died. (SD)