Prisoners’ relatives call for an independent committee to visit prisons

The justice vigil of families, launched at the Amed Bar Association for sick prisoners and other prisoners who are not released despite having completed their jail time, marks its 108th day. The families expressed their demands in a statement in front of the courthouse in Amed (Diyarbakir) on Thursday.

The Federation of Legal Solidarity Associations for Families of Detainees and Convicts (MED TUHAD-FED), Bünyamin Şeker, co-chair of the Lawyers’ Association for Freedom (ÖHD) and some lawyers came to the courthouse to support the families while members of the Rosa Women’s Association were not allowed to attend the event.

WE DON’T WANT DEATHS IN PRISONS

Reşahat Ada, a prisoner’s relative, said that they wanted the oppression in prisons to be stopped.

“We do not want to receive the dead bodies of our children. We want the prisoners who have been in prison for 28-30 years to be finally released. We want peace, justice, humanity and equality,” Ada said.

Ada called for all political parties to stand by them, saying, “End oppression and violence. We do not accept this oppression. We suffer great hardship. Enough is enough. Their fathers and brothers died before they could see them. Release the prisoners. We will submit applications to all state institutions. We want rights, law and justice.”

‘WE WILL BE EVERYWHERE’

“Implement your laws. We have been waiting for our brothers, fathers, aunts and children for years. We support them. We will be in public spaces until the laws are implemented. We will be everywhere. Establish an independent committee and send it to prisons. Examine on site,” Inci Güler, another prisoner’s relative, said.

“Our children are on the verge of death. We defend the rights of our children who are sick. Let us treat them,” Nazime Boltan, a prisoner’s relative, said.

Boltan criticized the fact that their children are kept in prisons far from them. “We are driving 24 hours for a half-hour visit. I have not seen my child for 5 years. Where are the rights and laws? Be fair.”

Members of the Rosa Women’s Association who were under the police blockade supported the families by chanting slogans.