The Urfa (Riha) Bar Association, the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), and the Human Rights Association (IHD) Urfa Branches announced a four-month report on rights violations in Urfa 1 and 2 No. T-Type Prisons and Siverek (Sêwrek) T-Type Prison. The statement made in front of the Urfa Bar Association was read out by Emre Çaylan, a representative of the ÖHD Urfa Branch.
Çaylan stated that the report was prepared after on-site examinations in the prisons and direct interviews conducted with the detainees. Çaylan added that serious rights violations had been identified in Urfa 1 No. T-Type Prison and said: “Prisoners are being forced to stay in wards designed for twenty people but currently holding between thirty-seven and forty individuals. This situation worsens both the lack of physical space and hygiene conditions. Although heating is supposed to be provided through a central radiator system, we were informed that during the past month, as the weather grew colder, the administration began turning the heating on only during certain hours, and on some days not at all, leaving prisoners exposed to severe cold. Prisoners also reported that the weak lighting inside the wards leaves them in a dim environment throughout the day. The outdoor areas designated as courtyards are insufficient compared to the overcrowded wards, preventing prisoners from effectively exercising their right to fresh air and further shrinking their living space. Additionally, basic items provided by the administration, such as mattresses, blankets, and sheets, were described as moldy, damp, and dirty. The tap water given for drinking was said to be dirty and high in limescale, and basic hygiene supplies were reportedly not provided by the administration.
In our previous reports, we also noted that there had long been no permanent doctors assigned to Urfa 1 No. T-Type Prison. This issue has not been resolved, and even the on-duty doctors who occasionally visited have stopped coming. Prisoners stated that due to the absence of doctors, they have no access to medical treatment whatsoever, effectively eliminating healthcare services inside the prison. This situation poses a life-threatening risk for seriously ill prisoners; regular check-ups, access to medication, and referrals to hospitals have come to a complete standstill.”
Urfa 2 No. T-Type Prison
Çaylan noted that the findings regarding Urfa 2 No. T-Type Prison revealed similarly severe violations in both the women’s and men’s wards and said: “In the women’s ward, heating problems were reported to be similar to those in Urfa 1 No. T-Type Prison, and the lighting was described as insufficient. Prisoners said that the basic items provided by the administration were in such poor condition that they could not be used. Because the drinking water was dirty and therefore undrinkable, prisoners with financial means were forced to purchase water from the canteen, while those without money were left dependent on contaminated tap water. They stated that hygiene conditions were not ensured by the administration and that cleaning conducted by staff was limited solely to the corridors. In the men’s ward, prisoners reported that after the corridors were washed with strong chemical cleaning agents, the resulting heavy fumes filled the wards. Due to inadequate ventilation and the doors not being opened on time, they were heavily affected by the smell. They also stated that the radiators did not provide sufficient heating, access to hot water was inconsistent, and cleaning responsibilities were left entirely to the prisoners. Access to healthcare in Urfa 2 No. T-Type Prison is also severely hindered. Although access to the infirmary is possible once a week, hospital referrals were reported to be delayed for more than two months. One prisoner who was injured after a fall had reportedly not been taken to the hospital for more than three to four months, and there were constant disruptions in obtaining medication.”
Siverek T-Type Prison
Çaylan also said: “Especially the practice of oral cavity searches continues to be a serious problem that obstructs access to healthcare.”
Call to the ministry
Çaylan also added: “In response to the rights violations occurring in these closed penal institutions, we call upon the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), the Ministry of Justice, and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Human Rights Inquiry Committee to take action.”