In a troubling development within Turkey’s penal system, two high-security prisoners, Serkan Onur Yılmaz and Fikret Akar, are facing severe health complications after prolonged hunger strikes. The duo has been protesting the extreme isolation conditions prevalent in the newly introduced “well-type” prisons, leading to alarming physical declines. Reports suggest that their conditions may soon reach a fatal endpoint if immediate action is not taken, raising urgent concerns among human rights advocates and legal organizations about the treatment of inmates and the dark reality of prison life in Turkey.
| Article Subheadings |
|---|
| 1) Health Decline of Hunger Strikers |
| 2) Personal Accounts from Former Inmates |
| 3) Torturous Conditions in Well-Type Prisons |
| 4) The Psychological Impact of Isolation |
| 5) The Inmates’ Last Resort |
Health Decline of Hunger Strikers
Currently, Serkan Onur Yılmaz has been on a hunger strike for an alarming 355 days, a testament to his determination to protest the harsh conditions he and others face. Alongside him is Fikret Akar, who has been striking for 214 days. Both inmates’ health has taken a dire turn. According to a statement from the İstanbul branch of the Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD), Yılmaz has lost his ability to walk and now requires a wheelchair just for attorney visits. He is also suffering from acute numbness in his extremities, attributed to nerve damage, while he endures worsening shortness of breath and persistent chest pains.
Akar isn’t faring much better; he’s exhibiting severe symptoms including pronounced numbness and experiencing tinnitus, which has added to his distress. Since day 190 of his hunger strike, his fluid and sugar intake has drastically decreased. Advocates claim that both men’s lives are teetering precariously, and urgent medical intervention is necessary to prevent further deterioration.
Personal Accounts from Former Inmates
The gravity of this situation has been brought to light by the testimonies of former inmates like Vedat Doğan, who participated in a previous hunger strike. Doğan passionately spoke about the inhumane situations these individuals endure in well-type prisons. He outlined their plight, stating, “These inhumane conditions have only come to light because of the hunger strikes.” His assertion underscores the desperation of the inmates who choose hunger as their last resort to advocate for better living conditions. The prisoners are demanding transfers to different facilities, asserting that the extreme isolation they face is detrimental to their mental and physical well-being.
“Fifteen people are resisting these conditions today,” Doğan pointed out, emphasizing the collective face of their struggle. He lamented the ineffective avenues they previously pursued, declaring that petitions and reports to authorities had yielded no improvements in their conditions. Ultimately, their hunger strikes emerged as a last desperate measure.
Torturous Conditions in Well-Type Prisons
The term “well-type prisons” comes from the restrictive environments established in Y- and S-type facilities, introduced by Turkey’s Justice Ministry in 2021. According to advocates, these facilities translate to extreme isolation, and prisoners have little to no contact with the outside world. Within these walls, the inmates often encounter harsh treatment that demoralizes and dehumanizes them. Doğan noted that the promotional material used when these prisons were inaugurated described them as akin to “modern duplex apartments,” yet the reality starkly contrasts with this narrative, highlighting a severe lack of basic freedoms.
He recalled being informed that he was transferring to Turkey’s best prison but soon found the harsh isolation and conditions to be unbearable. Doğan recounted, “You get one hour of outdoor time a day, and they search you in detail whenever they want.” This limited exposure to the outside world adds to the psychological atmosphere that inmates find themselves in, creating an environment where basic rights are severely restricted.
The Psychological Impact of Isolation
Isolation has a profound psychological impact on inmates, leading not only to physical deterioration but significant mental health issues as well. Doğan shared harrowing details about the consequences of incarceration in well-type facilities. Inmates have reportedly resorted to desperate pleas for help, with many feeling compelled to scream through windows, begging for an end to their torment. “Almost no one can sleep without antidepressants,” he stated, highlighting the pervasive reliance on medication to cope with overwhelming depression and anxiety.
This situation fosters an environment of hopelessness and desperation. Many prisoners are left feeling as though they are enduring a form of torture rather than living through a rehabilitative process. Doğan emphasized that the ultimate goal of the conditions imposed on the inmates seems to be their psychological destruction, which he believes is tantamount to systemic abuse.
The Inmates’ Last Resort
With all avenues for action seemingly exhausted, inmates like Yılmaz and Akar view their hunger strike as their final option. Legal petitions have yielded no fruit, and distress over the distance between their families and courts has compounded their situation. “We filed petitions, reported crimes, but nothing changed,” Doğan stated, expressing both frustration and pain. The bureaucratic hurdles to obtain medical care are insurmountable, with Doğan outlining how the conditions to access hospitals often involve humiliating searches that violate their dignity.
Vital nutrients, such as vitamin B1, are critical during hunger strikes, as inadequate intake can lead to severe health risks. Doğan warned that without sufficient doses, inmates could face death around day 60. The systemic neglect and intentional limitations placed on the health supplies available to the strikers raise serious ethical questions about the treatment of these inmates.
| No. | Key Points |
|---|---|
| 1 | Two prisoners are on hunger strikes protesting harsh conditions in the newly introduced well-type prisons. |
| 2 | Their health has significantly deteriorated, and they face severe medical complications. |
| 3 | Former inmates are voicing concerns about the inhumane treatment within these facilities. |
| 4 | Isolation leads to psychological effects, contributing to widespread use of antidepressants among inmates. |
| 5 | Inmates are left with no options but to resort to hunger strikes after exhausting legal channels. |
Summary
The plight of prisoners Serkan Onur Yılmaz and Fikret Akar highlights significant human rights concerns around Turkey’s penal system. As they continue their hunger strikes, their deteriorating health serves as a stark reminder of the critical conditions endured within well-type prisons. This situation has not only revealed systemic issues related to prisoner treatment but has also ignited broader discussions about isolation, mental health, and the rights of inmates. The urgency of their circumstances warrants immediate attention from authorities and activists alike to prevent further tragedy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What are well-type prisons in Turkey?
Well-type prisons are newly introduced high-security facilities characterized by extreme isolation and restrictive conditions, aimed at housing inmates serving aggravated life sentences.
Question: What are the health risks associated with prolonged hunger strikes?
Prolonged hunger strikes can lead to severe complications, including organ failure, malnutrition, and psychological distress, often resulting in long-term health issues or even death.
Question: What has prompted the hunger strikes among inmates?
Inmates have initiated hunger strikes as a form of protest against inhumane treatment and isolation conditions, demanding transfers to different facilities where they may have access to better living conditions and treatment.
