Zero Tolerance To Torture Equals 4719 Complaints

Minister of Justice Mehmet Ali Şahin claimed that in Turkey, 4719 individuals, among whom 471 children, had faced “torture”, “excessive torture” and “excessive violence” just in 2006 and 2007.

Replying to the motion of question by Batman deputy Ayla Akad Ata for the Democratic Society Party (DTP), Şahin gave information about the investigation and prosecution statistics for the security and gendarmerie officials in accordance with articles of 94, 95 and 256 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) that regulate the excessive torture and use of disproportionate force by the public officials.

According to the information supplied, 3866 cases were filed, 9716 police officers, 616 gendarmerie officials and 554 other type of officials were accused. Adding the 796 files taken over from 2005, 2654 cases with 6397 officials resulted in “no need for prosecution” verdict. On the other hand, 1423 suspects in 614 investigations ended up facing criminal charges.

There were many applications to the human rights organizations for torture in 2007: to the Human Rights Association (İHD) 687, to the Organization of Human Rights and Solidarity with the Oppressed People (MAZLUMDER) 163, to the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) 452. There were 67 applications to MAZLUMDER and 112 to TİHV in the first five months of 2008.

Tolerance to torture in “open space”…

While these numbers contradict the “Zero Tolerance to Torture” motto of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), the fact that the numbers given by Minister Şahin are much higher shows that there is actually no zero tolerance at all. This confirms the arguments by the human rights defenders and organizations that torture still goes unpunished. On the other hand, Şahin does not talk at all about the “deaths under custody” and “torture in open space”.

In 2007, there were 2 deaths under custody according to the records of the MAZLUMDER and 6 according to the TİHV.

According to the TİHV report, 54 people applying to the treatment centers stated that they had been tortured either out on the street or in open space, in a house or a vehicle, or in some other place. İHD’s 2006 records state that the number for “Torture and Bad Treatment in Places Other Than the Official Custody Places” was 261.

Moreover, why is the information about the identity of the officials who are punished and the type of the punishment they received not made public immediately?

Torture goes unpunished

The most pressing issue, as was stated by TİHV president Yavuz Önen on June 26 of this year, that is, on the Solidarity Day With Those Tortured, is the fact that torture goes unpunished.

Finally, it should be reminded that Turkey has not ratified the UN’s Optional Protocol Against Torture.

When Ata brought up the subject of torture in F Type prisons some time ago, Şahin had said, “If anyone says the prison where there is systematic torture is in Turkey, I will deny it completely. (NZ/EZÖ/TB)

*This report was prepared using material from gundemonline, Taraf and Radikal news organizations.