Justice Vigil by relatives of prisoners in Amed reaches day 32

Relatives of the prisoners have been on the Justice Vigil in the Amed Bar Association service building for 32 days.

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), Democratic Regions Party (DBP) district administrators, Lawyers Association for Freedom (ÖHD) Headquarters Prisons Commission and Urfa and Mardin Branch administrators visited the vigil on Thursday.

HDP Hazro District co-chair Alihan Kuşlu said that they closely follow the violations of rights in prisons and expressed solidarity with the families.

Hasine Güler, on behalf of the relatives of the prisoners, called on everyone to support them in order to prevent any further deaths in prisons.

ÖHD Headquarters Prisons Commission co-spokesperson Yusuf Çakas said: “It would not be correct to say that 4 detainees lost their lives in one week. They were actually murdered. This would be a more appropriate term. And it also shows how right this vigil is. We could not shout loud enough.”

Çakas added: “The death of Halil Güneş in particular is murder. Despite being very heavy, they leave them in cells saying that they have to observe the quarantine. The cells are not in conditions for an ill prisoner to stay in. Unfortunately, this is how Halil died. Many more prisoners remain in these conditions. Quarantine cells have become death cells.”

ÖHD Urfa Executive Board member Serdar Tüm reiterated their support to the vigil.

Prisoner’s relative, Herdem Merwanî, said: “Some things are very heavy for us. We lost 4 of our comrades in one week. They take them to the hospital, leave them in cells in harsh conditions for 17 days. They say they will recover, but in fact, they leave them to die. We must speak out louder. Not just us in the ÖHD, this is a problem belonging to the whole of Turkey and everyone should speak out.”

Inci Güler, another prisoner’s relative, called out to the families and demanded strong participation in the action.