The Izmir branches of the Lawyers for Freedom Association, the Progressive Lawyers Association, and the Human Rights Association held a press statement in front of the Izmir Women’s Closed Prison in Aliağa to draw attention to rights violations taking place there.
During the protest, a banner reading “End arbitrary and unlawful practices immediately” was displayed. The press statement was read by Fatma Demirer, co-chair of the Izmir branch of the Lawyers for Freedom Association.
The statement said that arbitrary disciplinary punishments, ill-treatment, the blocking of releases through administrative decisions, and unlawful practices have become widespread in prisons. It noted that Administrative and Observation Boards postpone prisoners’ conditional release processes based on subjective reasons.
It was also reported that even hugging family members during open visits has been used as grounds for disciplinary punishment and that practices such as the obligation to carry identification have been imposed. One prisoner is reportedly on a hunger strike in protest of these practices.
The legal organizations stated that their meetings with the prison administration and the prosecutor’s office had yielded no results and emphasized that they will continue their struggle to end rights violations and to establish a prison regime that respects human dignity.
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