Rights violations in prisons across Kurdistan and Turkey continue in a systematic manner. In the prisons of the Serhed region, where these violations are particularly widespread, detainees are threatened with disciplinary measures and official reports by the prison administration. In these facilities, where social activities, speaking Kurdish, greeting one another, hospital referrals, communication, and family visits have all become chronic problems, families themselves are also subjected to unlawful practices.
In the Erzincan Closed Prison, which has been in the public spotlight in recent weeks, families arriving for visits have been forced to undergo strip searches, while detainees have had reports filed against them simply for speaking Kurdish or greeting each other during visitation.
Yusuf Çakas, a lawyer with the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), spoke to ANF about the violations taking place in Erzincan Prison. Çakas stated that merely being held in a prison in Turkey already constitutes a rights violation and said: “Whether they are ordinary prisoners or political prisoners, their fundamental rights and freedoms are suspended. The most visible form of this is isolation. Isolation is not only about leaving a prisoner alone in a cell; it is also about separating them from their family, their lawyer, and their land. Transfers carried out under the pretext of ‘security-related relocation’ are part of this isolation policy.”
Prisoners are isolated both inside and outside
Çakas stated that campus-type prisons in places such as Erzincan, Erzurum, Sincan, and Silivri sever prisoners from one another and from their families. He said: “This shows that a prison policy is being imposed not only inside but also outside. Forcing families to travel to such distant locations is, in itself, a form of punishment. Basic communication rights, such as family visits and phone calls, are arbitrarily obstructed.”
The module system deepens severe isolation
Çakas stated that the “module system” implemented in the Erzincan campus-type prison completely isolates detainees, imposing the conditions of aggravated life imprisonment on prisoners who have been sentenced to fixed-term sentences as well. Çakas said: “Prisoners are kept in single-person cells and are allowed only one hour of outdoor time per day. These areas are not truly suitable for fresh air; the windows are covered with metal plates, and the living conditions violate human dignity. Moreover, it is impossible to access newspapers such as Yeni Yaşam and Evrensel, or opposition TV channels. Social and cultural activities have been suspended. This is not only physical isolation; it is mental isolation as well.”
There is no access to healthcare
Çakas said that the health conditions in the prison show a serious violation of prisoners’ right to healthcare. He continued: “Hospital referrals are arbitrarily blocked. Some detainees who are referred cannot receive treatment due to nationalist attitudes displayed by physicians. Even the simplest procedures, such as dental treatment, are delayed; this is a clear violation of the right to life. Once again, reports are filed against prisoners simply for speaking Kurdish, and this right is also denied to families. Prisoners are even reprimanded during open visits for greeting one another.”
Families are subjected to strip searches
Çakas noted that families travelling from distant cities are exposed to degrading practices such as strip searches and mouth inspections before entering visitation. He added: “This is a policy aimed at intimidating families. A family living in Erzincan can visit frequently, while a family travelling hundreds of kilometers may only be able to come once or twice a year. Despite this, the duration of the visit is kept the same.”
Prisons are the concern of the whole society
Çakas described the situation as one that is “incompatible with the peace process” and said: “Prison administrations, prosecutor’s offices, and judicial institutions must adopt an approach consistent with the process of peace and democratization. Every rights violation that takes place in prisons is, in fact, directed at the conscience of society. The prison issue is not only the issue of prisoners or their families; it is a shared responsibility for everyone. I call on all concerned members of the public, political parties, and democratic institutions to unite against the rights violations taking place in prisons.”