‘Investigate the torture of person with autism’

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The Ceviz Autism Research and Social Defense Association has released a statement about the maltreatment of Muratcan Ayas, a person with autism in Turkey's eastern province of Elazığ, and called on the authorities to ensure that the responsible parties are brought to justice.

As far as the association has been informed by the family and the local press, Ayas (21) had been staying in the Eyşan Özgü Care Center for 7 months when he had a heart attack. Taken to a hospital with respiratory arrest, he could be recovered from death after a medical intervention.

Making a statement about Ayas, the association has demanded that the rights and safety of individuals with autism, especially their right to life, must be protected and the allegations of negligence and abuse targeting persons with autism must be investigated effectively.

'He is in vegetative state, has multiple organ failure'

According to the statement of the association, Muratcan Ayas was examined at the Elazığ Fethi Sekin City Hospital, where it was detected that "he had not been allowed to meet his family due to the pandemic, he had lost 35 kilos in 90 days, he had deep wounds on his elbows, he was drip-fed at the institution and contracted COVID-19 while he was in care there."

"On November 24 and 26, 2020, he was taken to the same hospital by the institution personnel due to 'extreme weight loss' without informing his family," the statement has noted, adding that "Muratcan Ayas is now in vegetative state as he is suffering from a multiple organ failure."

'Wilful murder as a result of negligence'

Within this context, the autism research and social support association has warned, "The fact that the individuals with autism cannot express themselves in a typical way must not make them vulnerable to negligence and abuse."

The association has further underlined that "the ones providing the individuals with care and support must be aware of the prohibition of maltreatment as well as the fact that life is unique."

As indicated by the association, "the violence inflicted by public personnel on the individuals who do not have the consciousness to protect themselves and report harm constitutes the crime of torture as per the Article 94 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) no. 5237 while the violence inflicted on ordinary citizens constitutes the crime of torment as per the Article 96 of the TCK."

"The TCK does not consider whether it is systematic or not when crimes of torment and torture are concerned," the statement has read further, adding that "in this and similar incidents, it is considered, as per the Article 83 of the TCK, that wilful murder is committed as a result of negligence."

Against this backdrop, the association has called on the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services, Ministry of National Education, Ministry of Health and their provincial directorates; judicial bodies and professional organizations; Elazığ Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Elazığ Bar Association, Elazığ Medical Chamber and the relevant civil society organizations to follow the issue with priority and sensitivity. (AS/SD)