Call to the Ministry of Justice for the seriously ill prisoner Mehmet Emin Özkan

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Bar associations, non-governmental organizations, and human rights organizations called on authorities to take action regarding the seriously ill prisoner Mehmet Emin Özkan who has been behind bars for 25 years.

84-year-old prisoner Mehmet Emin Özkan is suffering from heart disease, hypertension, toxic goiter, osteoporosis, kidney, and intestinal disorders, extreme weight loss, hearing and vision deficiency, and memory loss.

Each day Özkan's condition is deteriorating and he is unable to meet any of his personal needs such as eating, drinking, dressing, walking, bathing, and shaving.

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"Systematic torture and ill-treatment"

In a written statement by various organizations, it was noted that Özkan's health has been deteriorating over the years and he was hospitalized several times.

"Mehmet Emin Özkan was examined in handcuffs during medical treatment and hospital referrals were not made regularly."

"Despite serious health problems he has been diagnosed with, he has still been kept in prison. He was referred to the hospital only when his health condition reached a critical point."

"This shows that torture and ill-treatment have become systematic against him. Mehmet Emin Özkan's family is also negatively affected by this situation."

Report on can stay in prison

"Despite all the applications made to the Forensic Medicine Institute demanding he being released to his home, each time he was denied."

"The conditions in prisons can worsen the health of ill prisoners and lead to a violation of the right to life."

Prisoners are dying in prisons

The statement also said, due to the biased reports given by Forensic Medicine Instıtute, many prisoners die either in prison or shortly after they are released.

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Call to the Ministry of Justice

"Due to the critical stage of Mehmet Emin Özkan's health, keeping him in prison could violate his right to life."

"We call on the Ministry of Justice and its officials to take the necessary steps to suspend his execution and demand his immediate release."

The statement is signed by the following organizations: Batman Bar Association, Civil Society in the Penal System (CISST) Association, Progressive Lawyers Association, Diyarbakır Bar Association, Diyarbakır Medical Chamber, Rights Initiative, Human Rights Association İstanbul Branch, Freedom for Lawyers Association, Health and Social Service Laborers' Union (SES) Diyarbakır Branch, Şırnak Bar Association, Society and Law Research Foundation, Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, Van Bar Association.

(TB)