NGOs in Mardin call for the release of Aysel Tuğluk and all sick prisoners

Mardin Bar Association Human Rights Commission, Mardin Bar Association Women’s Rights Center, Human Rights Association (IHD), Lawyers’ Association for Freedom (ÖHD), Mardin Medical Chamber, Mardin Chamber of Dentists, Mardin Prison Monitoring Commission, Mardin Şahmaran Women’s Platform, Public Workers’ Unions Confederation (KESK) Mardin Branches Platform, and the Union of Turkish Architects and Engineers Union (TMMOB) Mardin Branch made a statement to draw attention to the situation of Kurdish politician Aysel Tuğluk, who is held prisoner while struggling with Dementia/Alzheimer’s disease.

Institutional representatives were present at the event in front of the Mardin Bar Association headquarters. The statement was made on behalf of the institutions was made by Ruşen Bingül Binbaş, Deputy Chairman of the Bar Association.

ATK MAKES UNSCIENTIFIC DECISIONS WITHOUT CONSCIENCE AND SENSE OF JUSTICE

Binbaş noted that Tuğluk has been in prison since 2016 and that her condition was documented in the medical reports made for her. Binbaş stated that it was against the law, conscience, and science that the Forensic Medicine Institute’s (ATK) prepared a report which indicates that she could remain in prison without any examination or observation while Tuğluk’s illness had a chronic progressive course and prevented her from living alone in prison.

Binbaş stated that ATK should be removed as the only approved health institution, remarking that all administrative and judicial institutions, particularly the Ministry of Justice, are responsible for Tuğluk’s health condition.

SICK PRISONERS SHOULD BE RELEASED

Binbaş drew attention to the recurrent deaths, the lack of referrals to hospitals, and the failure to release extremely ill prisoners and provide them with suitable treatment conditions, noting that there are serious health problems and violations of rights in all prisons in Turkey. “In line with our demand for justice for sick prisoners, we reiterate our demand for the immediate release of Aysel Tuğluk and prisoners who have serious health problems like her,” Binbaş said, emphasizing that the authorities should take immediate action by fulfilling their obligation to protect human dignity, human life, and health.

The statement concluded with the slogan “Human decency will triumph against torture.”