CHP: Parliament Should Investigate Allegations of Torture in Elazığ Prison

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The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has appealed to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) Human Rights Investigation Commission regarding the allegations that the battered inmates of Elazığ No 2. Prison were not taken to hospital and, instead of identifying the wardens who allegedly tortured the inmates, a disciplinary investigation has been launched against the inmates themselves.

Speaking to bianet about the issue, CHP Ankara MP and TBMM Human Rights Investigation Commission member Ali Haydar Hakverdi has underlined that prisons in Turkey frequently become a topic of public discussion with allegations of torture, confiscation of rights and arbitrary practices that do not have a place in by-laws.

Reminding us that the families of the arrested and convicted, non-governmental organizations and Diyarbakır Bar Association have raised concerns over the allegations of torture and ill treatment in Elazığ Prison, Hakverdi has continued as follows:

'No reasons can justify violation of rights'

"We have informed the Human Rights Investigation Commission, the Sub-Commission on the Rights of the Convicted and Arrested about the allegations of torture and confiscation of rights in writing. In our written application, we have requested that the members of the commission immediately go to Elazığ Prison to investigate the allegations on-site.

"No reasons can justify torture and violations of rights. However, unfortunately, the allegations of torture and ill treatment have come to the fore in our country, especially since the military coup on September 12, 1980.

'We will follow the incidents of torture in prisons'

"The authorities have not sufficiently fulfilled their duties of inspection up to this day, which paves the way for arbitrary practices.

"It is of universal importance in terms of defending justice and human dignity that these allegations be closely followed, investigated and the responsible parties be identified on the site.

"For that reason, we indicate that we will follow the allegations of torture and confiscation of rights in Elazığ Prison and all other prisons."

What happened?

Diyarbakır Bar Association paid a visit to the Elazoğ No 2 High Security Closed Prison on August 10 and examined the alleged violations of rights committed in the prison. After their examinations, the bar announced that they filed a complaint at the Elazığ Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, requesting that the allegations of torture be effectively investigated.

Among the allegations expressed by the bar association were that the battered inmates were not hospitalized for 12 days and, instead of identifying the wardens who allegedly tortured the inmates, a disciplinary investigation has been launched against the inmates. 

The bar association has also submitted a written application to the CHP Central Office and requested that the allegations be investigated. (HA/SD)