ISTANBUL – The Human Rights Association (IHD) made a statement in front of Bakırköy Women’s Closed Prison, saying that the 10th Judicial Package failed to meet expectations and called for the urgent release of ill prisoners without the need for any legal procedures. 

 

The Istanbul Branch of IHD held a press statement in front of Bakırköy Women’s Closed Prison regarding the 10th Judicial Package, which passed the Parliament despite widespread opposition. Many human rights defenders attended the event, where photos of ill prisoners and a banner reading “A law in accordance with the principle of equality, right now” were displayed. The statement was read by Hasan Yaviç, a board member of the branch. 

 

Yaviç pointed out that there are many prisoners in prisons whose treatments are being obstructed. He said: “While the problem of ill prisoners has persisted for years without a solution, since February 27, when a process aimed at a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue began, the main societal expectation has been fair and humane arrangements for ill prisoners. However, the 10th Judicial Package did not meet these expectations. The law shows that an execution policy that is discriminatory and contrary to the principle of equality continues regarding ill prisoners.”

 

‘VIOLATES THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUALITY’

 

Yaviç emphasized that the regulation violates the “principle of equality,” noting that decisions about sick prisoners still depend on reports from the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK), which arbitrarily blocks releases.

 

He added: “Ending the human rights violations experienced by ill prisoners and creating an execution system that is just, egalitarian, and based on human rights is an urgent necessity. As İHD, we reiterate our rejection of this law and call on all political parties to respect the principle of equality enshrined in the Constitution and Turkey’s obligations under international human rights treaties.”

 

ONE THOUSAND 412 ILL PRISONERS IN PRISONS

 

İHD Co-Chair Eren Keskin called for the immediate and unconditional release of ill prisoners, without waiting for legal procedures. “I visited Fatma Tokmak, who is in Bakırköy Prison. She had angiography last week, and a tear was found in her heart valve. Let’s remember Sırrı Süreyya Önder, who recently passed away. This is such a dangerous illness. The doctor said, ‘You need urgent surgery.’ There is also Hatice Yıldız in the same prison, 75 years old, imprisoned just for sending money to her daughter and friend. According to our data, there are one thousand 412 ill prisoners. We demand that ill prisoners be released urgently and unconditionally without the need for any legal procedures.”