Human Rights Association demands release of ill prisoners

The Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prisons Commission held the 517th “F Session” action at the association building. This week, the IHD underlined the situation of prisoners held in Edirne F Type Prison: 77-year-old Kerim Boran, 72-year-old Ferzende Elbi and 72-year-old Ehettin Kaynar.

Mehmet Acettin, spokesperson of the IHD Istanbul Prisons Commission, read the statement and drew attention to the fact that the condition of ill prisoners is getting worse and the deaths are increasing due to the constant violations of rights.

Drawing attention to the situation of ill prisoner and lawyer Aysel Tuğluk, who remains in Kandıra Prison because of a report saying that she “can stay in prison”, Acettin said: “As seen in the case of Aysel Tuğluk, the Forensic Medicine Institute “As seen in the example of Aysel Tuğluk, the Forensic Medicine Institute is an important obstacle to the release of ill prisoners. The authorities, who are supposed to protect the prisoners’ right to health and life, in fact ignore all calls and cause an increase in prisoner deaths.”

Acettin said that 77-year-old Kerim Boran suffers from many diseases such as heart failure, diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and Parkinson’s and added: “After the brain surgery he had in 2018, his body had tremors and hearing loss. He cannot live on his own. Kerim Boran, who was arrested in 2017 and released on 2 March 2018 due to illness, was arrested again on 15 April 2018, while his treatment was still going on. Despite the further progression of his illness and his age, requests for a postponement of execution are not accepted.”

Then, citing the situation of 71-year-old Ehettin Kaynar, Acettin said: “Kaynar suffers from atherosclerosis, heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, prostate problems, osteoporosis, rheumatism, skin diseases, numbness in the hands and feet, tremors. He cannot live on his own and yet he is still not being released.”

Acettin said that 72-year-old Ferzen Elbi suffers from intestinal hernia, varicose veins and heart problems, and added: “He is also hearing and visually impaired and has to live under regular and adequate medical care and treatment. However, adequate care cannot be provided in prison.”

Acettin said that Kerim Boran, Ehettin Kaynar and Ferzende Elbi were released due to illness shortly after their arrest, but added that their treatment was blocked after their sentences were confirmed and they were taken to prison again.

ANKARA

The Freedom for Ill Prisoners Initiative made a statement in front of the Ankara Branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD) on the 389th week of its actions. “Treatment is a right and cannot be prevented. Attention was drawn to the condition of seriously ill Emin Güler, who is being held in Urfa No. 2 T Type Closed Prison.

In the statement lawyer Ömer Faruk Yazmacı, a member of the IHD Ankara Prison Commission, made, he noted that 30-year-old Güler has been held in prison for 6 years despite his serious condition. Yazmacı said that Güler had hemiplegia-paralysis as a result of a spine injury and added: “This disease is a nervous system disease that occurs as a result of occlusion of the cerebral vessels and affects the right or left parts of the body. As a result of the paralysis, Güler is now 94 percent disabled, as confirmed by a medical report. Since the prison is a two-storey building, Güler had difficulty going up and down from the cell to the kitchen. He can only meet his own needs with the support of his friends.”

Therapy opportunities are not offered to Güler, said Yazmacı, adding: “He has to continue in this way without being treated and without recovery conditions.”

Emphasizing that Güler also has Hepatitis-C, Yazmacı said: “It is clear that he cannot stay in prison. He cannot access special care and physical therapy facilities in prison.” He called for Güler  to be released and treated as soon as possible.