Families of ill prisoners demand justice in İzmir

Photo: MA

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Families of ill prisoners yesterday (August 3) gathered in İzmir, western Türkiye, demanding the release of ill prisoners on the 95th day of the "Justice Watch."

Members of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Çeşme district organization also attended the demonstration in front of the Bayraklı Courthouse.

Speaking at the gathering, Hanım Sever, a relative of an ill prisoner, said, "We don't accept these practices. We are calling out to the justice minister and the president. We have been here for four months and we don't want coffins to come out of prisons anymore.

"As long as we are alive, we will continue the struggle. We are protesting delayed releases and patients not being released. Who would accept torture, violence and the imposition of repentance? Release our children immediately."

HDP Çeşme Co-Chair Menekşe Ecer said, "Restrictions on phone calls and the failure to treat [ill prisoners] continue. We are here to say stop this oppression and we will continue to be here."

After statements, the crowd staged a five-minute sit-in protest.

There are at least 1,605 ill prisoners in Türkiye, with 604 of them seriously ill, according to the Human Rights Association. Since the start of 2020, at least 59 ill prisoners have lost their lives, including seven who died shortly after being released. (AS/VK)