The report on Şırnak (Şirnex) T Type Closed Prison was prepared by the Human Rights Association (IHD) Şırnak Branch, the Association for Solidarity with Families of Prisoners and Convicts in Botan (TUHAD-DER), the Şırnak Bar Association, and the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) Şırnak Branch. The findings were shared with the public at the IHD’s branch office in Cizre, with the participation of many attendees.
The report stated that torture, violations of the right to health, and ill-treatment have become systematic in the prison, declared: “Human dignity is being violated in the prison.”
Ill prisoners denied treatment
Ali Adal, an executive of the IHD Şırnak Branch, read the report to the public. Based on interviews with 13 prisoners, applications from families, and publicly available information, the report emphasized that there are many seriously ill prisoners in the facility, yet transfers to hospitals are systematically blocked.
Adal said: “Prisoners with serious illnesses such as cancer, epilepsy, and heart disease are not granted the right to regular treatment. Infirmary services are inadequate, emergencies are not responded to, and handcuffs are not removed during examinations. Arbitrary practices are imposed under the name of the ‘slipper obligation.’ Degrading practices such as strip searches, double and triple handcuffing in prison transport vehicles, standing roll calls, and mouth searches are forced upon prisoners. Those who resist are subjected to solitary confinement and physical violence. This constitutes torture and ill-treatment.”
Violation of visitation rights and privacy
The report stated that during family visits physical contact is prevented, guards constantly interfere, and cameras are placed in private areas such as bathrooms and dormitories. It stressed that this constitutes a violation of the right to privacy.
It was also noted that the children of female prisoners are deprived of nutrition, play, and education needs. Numerous complaints reported that food contained insects, hair, and rat droppings. Drinking water was said to be unhealthy, forcing prisoners to buy water from the canteen. Women were denied basic hygiene products, facing severe difficulties especially during menstruation.
Education and cultural rights obstructed
The report emphasized that social and cultural activities are almost nonexistent, that prisoners are limited to five books, and that requests for Kurdish-language books are rejected. It also underlined that television and radio broadcasts are restricted to pro-government channels, blocking access to diverse information.
Ali Adal added: “According to the Turkish Penal Code and the Law on the Execution of Sentences, the sentences of seriously ill prisoners must be suspended. However, even those with incurable illnesses are kept in prison. This situation violates the right to life and international human rights conventions. The continued imprisonment of sick prisoners constitutes a blatant violation of the prohibition of torture.”