‘Ill prisoner Mehmet Emin Özkan’s right to life being violated’

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21 law and rights organizations have released a joint statement about the condition of seriously ill prisoner Mehmet Emin Özkan, who is held in the Diyarbakır Type D Closed Prison in southeast Turkey.

CLICK - 'Tomorrow may be too late for Mehmet Emin Özkan'

83-year-old Mehmet Emin Özkan, throughout his twenty-six years behind bars, had five heart attacks. He now also suffers from Alzheimer, aneurysm, blood pressure problems and goitre as well as kidney and intestinal disorders. He has lost his sense of hearing and sight to a considerable extent and cannot meet his personal needs on his own.

Despite the reports indicating that he is not in a state to stay in prison, Özkan has not been released. As the health condition of Özkan is critical now, there are attempts to receive new reports for his release.

Taken to hospital in handcuffs

The statement of the organizations has stressed that the health condition of Mehmet Emin Özkan has become concerning since May 17. Recalling that he was hospitalized several times, they have said:

"When he was referred to the Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital, he was taken there with his hands handcuffed and it was reported in the press that he was having serious difficulty even walking. When Özkan is hospitalized, they attempt to treat him handcuffed to bed.

"As Özkan objected to this treatment, he was taken back to the prison without being treated several times in the last month.

"Lastly, Özkan was referred to the Elazığ Forensic Medicine Institution for a committee report. The same problems were encountered during the process of getting the committee report as well.

"The imprisonment of Mehmet Emin Özkan despite his age and illnesses, the conditions in which he is taken to hospital and the attempt to treat him handcuffed to bed is a violation of the prohibition of torture.

"Özkan is held in prison without being hospitalized despite his diagnosed serious health problems, he is referred to hospital when his health condition comes to a critical point and he is repeatedly taken back to prison, which shows that torture and maltreatment have become systematic.

"On the grounds of his current critical health condition, it has the risk of violating his right to life if he continues staying in prison conditions. We call on all relevant institutions, especially the Ministry of Justice and the Human Rights Commission of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) to act responsibly so that Özkan will not lose his life in prison."

The undersigned 21 organizations:

Adana Bar Association

Batman Bar Association

Civil Society in the Penal System Association

Contemporary Lawyers' Association

Diyarbakır Bar Association

Diyarbakır Medical Chamber

Diyarbakır Association for Assisting Families of Prisoners and Convicts

Association for Monitoring Equal Rights

Görülmüştür (Seen) Initiative

Human Rights Agenda Association

Mardin Bar Association

Marmara Association for Assisting Families of Prisoners and Convicts

Med Federation of Law and Solidarity Associations for Families of Detainees and Convicts

Lawyers for Freedom Association

Health and Social Service Laborers' Union Diyarbakır Branch

Şırnak Bar Association

Society and Legal Studies Foundation

Support to Human Rights Cases in Turkey Project

Van Bar Association

Life Memory Freedom Association

Citizens' Assembly

(AS/SD)