‘Growing Number of Torture Incidents’ on Parliamentary Agenda

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Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Siirt MP Meral Danış Beştaş has submitted a Parliamentary inquiry into the increasing number of torture allegations.

In her inquiry, Danış Beştaş has requested that a Parliamentary commission be established "so that increasing incidents of torture be evaluated within the frame of legal legislature and the damages to be incurred by legitimization of torture through the policy of impunity be investigated."

She has also underlined that torture has become a routine in prisons and there is an increase in the number of torture incidents outside prison.

'Impunity and traditional codes of government'

In her inquiry, the MP has shared the following information:

"In contrast to the government's 'zero tolerance to torture' statements, torture has become widespread and, almost, legitimate. Behind this penetration of torture in all parts of society lie not only the effects of impunity policy, but also the existence of this method in the traditional codes of the government.

"In recent past, over 50 citizens were detained with their houses messed up by masked teams and being battered, they were subjected to heavy torture, women also suffered from sexual torture methods.

'Torture and maltreatment systematic in prisons'

"When it is the case outside, the letters sent by inmates, accounts of lawyers and victims' relatives reveal that the situation in prisons is far graver.

"Battery, beating, insults, curses, harassment, naked body search, surveillance cameras installed in private places and repeated disciplinary punishments in prisons have become systematic.

"It is difficult to say that the judiciary takes up a deterrent attitude towards these torture methods. Torture and ill treatment in prisons rarely become a subject of investigation and prosecution."

Within this context, Danış Beştaş has requested that a Parliamentary Investigation Commission be established to inquire about the issue. (AS/SD)