Violations against ill prisoners continue in prisons across Kurdistan and Turkey, where many detainees are deprived of their right to life and health. According to data from the Human Rights Association (IHD), there are approximately 1,400 ill prisoners, including 335 who are seriously ill. While this number continues to rise, prisoners referred to the Forensic Medicine Institute despite their chronic illnesses are frequently issued reports stating that they are “fit to remain in prison” or “able to sustain their lives independently.”
One such case is Botan Karsu, a stage four cancer patient who faces significant obstacles in accessing treatment. Karsu, who has been imprisoned for 11 years and developed the illness while in detention, has reportedly not been transferred to a hospital for weeks despite repeated requests. It was also learned that during his last phone call with his mother, Karsu said, “If anything happens to me, these doctors will be responsible.” The Forensic Medicine Institute has issued two separate reports declaring that he is fit to remain in prison.
After his arrest, Botan Karsu was initially sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment in the case against him and was first held at Diyarbakır (Amed) Closed Prison. A short time later, he was transferred in exile to Van (Wan) High Security Closed Prison. Karsu learned that he had cancer while still in Diyarbakır. Despite beginning chemotherapy treatment for his stage four illness, he was transferred before the completion of his treatment. During the initial period following his transfer, he was held alone and later placed in a ward. Numerous petitions he submitted requesting hospital transfers reportedly went unanswered.
Karsu, who frequently suffers from severe health episodes and relies on multiple medications, has been able to sustain his daily life with the support of his cellmates. During his most recent phone call with his mother, he detailed the difficulties he has been experiencing. He stated that no solution had been found to address his requests for hospital transfers and other essential needs. Through his family, Karsu also issued a call for solidarity and drew attention to the broader problems faced by ill prisoners.
If anything happens to me, these doctors will be responsible
Vahibe Karsu, the mother of Botan Karsu, whom we interviewed about the situation, shared the latest condition of her son following their most recent conversation on Saturday. Karsu said: “Despite submitting numerous petitions, they are not transferring my son to Diyarbakır. He struggled greatly when he was first taken there and continues to face serious difficulties. He told me that his illness has affected his heart, as well as his legs and hands. When he was referred to the hospital, he explained his condition to the doctor, who then referred him to a cardiologist. They conducted his tests, but he has been waiting for weeks to return to the hospital. Due to my own health problems, I have not been able to visit my son for the past six months. When he was here, we could see him and knew that he was receiving treatment. He said that both his treatment and access to medication have been disrupted there. He is not receiving adequate medical care in Van.”
All ill prisoners should be released
Vahibe Karsu stated that her son is not receiving adequate medical attention in the hospital and reiterated her call for his release. Karsu said: “He also told me that he is not being properly cared for in the hospital. During our last phone call, he said, ‘If anything happens to me, the doctors responsible for my care will be to blame because they are not treating me.’ When he is in pain, they do not take him to the hospital for weeks. I want them to release him, and if they do not, they should transfer him back to Diyarbakır. All ill prisoners must be released. Today they are releasing many people, but not the most seriously ill. They are insulting us and inflicting this suffering for no reason. If he is released, he will be able to access better treatment. Our only demand is his immediate release.”
Request for sentence postponement rejected twice
Lawyers representing Botan Karsu recalled that the Forensic Medicine Institute had issued two separate reports stating that he was “fit to remain in prison.” They noted that their applications for the postponement of the execution of his sentence on medical grounds had also been rejected twice. The lawyers added that no response has yet been received to their most recent application and emphasized that Karsu is struggling with serious health problems while in prison.
Leave a Reply