Politician Azime Işık gave a presentation on “Bringing Social Peace into Prisons: A Roadmap for Transforming the Prison Regime” during the second session titled “Experiences in Conflict Resolution” at the International Conference on Peace and Democratic Society organized by the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) in Istanbul.
Azime Işık recalled that she herself was kept in prison for many years and was finally released due to insufficient evidence. Referring to the Peace and Democratic Society Process, she said, “I was imprisoned unjustly. I think I was released because of the process. Currently, there are over 3,000 PKK prisoners in Turkey. If we are to talk about transformation, the principle of justice must be adopted.”
Işık drew attention to the increasing repressive practices over the past 10 years, stating that city-type prisons are presented “as if they were a blessing.” She continued, “There are no ghettos in Turkey, but there are these city prisons. Torture is common in prisons. Isolation has been in place for the past 10 years. In the past, we used to stay in shared dormitories and engage in activities. Isolation first began on Imrali Island, a special prison built for Mr. Öcalan. This was not questioned because it was perceived as necessary for the “terrorist leader.” Later, this became a fundamental practice. Initially applied to Kurds, isolation spread to everyone. The state of prisons began to reflect society. Prisons are a mirror of the governments. Ninety percent of Kurds are in prison. Most ordinary and political prisoners are Kurds. Perhaps Kurds are not in concentration camps, but a very high number of them are behind bars.”
Azime Işık stated that the transition from crowded dormitories to a single-person cell system had serious consequences, saying, “Imprisoning a person in a single-person cell is a very serious form of torture. There is electricity in the ventilation systems of high-security prisons; even birds are dying.”
Işık also drew attention to the situation of prisoners who have been behind bars for over 30 years, saying that changes to the supervised release law have delayed their releases.
The politician noted that Prison Administrative and Observation Boards have been blocking releases, adding, “We have friends who have been in prison for 35 years. Their families are also experiencing a kind of imprisonment.”
Pointing out that conditions for female prisoners are even harsher, Işık said, “Female prisoners face twice the hardship. I believe that the situation of women in prisons is an important experience that needs to be examined.”
Işık demanded that prisons with severe isolation measures be closed and freedom laws enacted. She also called for an end to the ongoing policy of oppression against Kurds.