Rights Association: Hunger Strike Can End With Decision of Prison

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The Human Rights Association (İHD) İstanbul Branch has stated that inmate Vefa Kartal, who has been on a hunger strike for 89 days, has been "face to face with death" and called the prison administration to act responsibly.

Kartal, who was held in different prisons for 24 years, is currently in Tekirdağ Type F Prison.

Ill prisoner Vefa Kartal has gone on a hunger strike with the following demands:

* Provision of his fundamental human rights

* Improvement of prison conditions

* Treatment of his illness

In the statement of the İHD, it has been emphasized that a simple decision of the prison administration can put an end to Vefa Kartal's hunger strike.

CLICK - Human Rights Association: 1154 Ill Prisoners, 402 in Serious Condition

According to a report published by the İHD Prisons Commission, as of March 2, 2018, there are 1,154 ill prisoners in Turkey's prisoners, 402 of whom are in serious condition.

What happened?

Vefa Kartal, who has been sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment, has been behind bars for 24 years.

Nearly two years ago, Kartal was referred to the neurosurgery service on the ground that the blood vessels between his cerebral lobes had swollen. He also has other health problems such as Hepatitis B, prostate, hypertension, ulcer, intestinal problems and allergy.

İll prisoner Vefa Kartal went on a hunger strike as a protest against rights violations on August 18, 2017, when he was held in İzmir no. 1 Type F Prison, and ended this strike 114 days later.

Kartal, who has gone on a hunger strike with the demand that his fundamental rights, especially his right to access medical treatment, be granted, will be on strike for 90 days by tomorrow. (AS/SD)