The Contemporary Lawyers Association (ÇHD) recently held a press conference at the Istanbul Bar Association Cultural Center to address the critical situation in various types of prisons, categorized as “well-type,” including Y-type and S-type facilities. This event spotlighted ongoing indefinite hunger strikes in these prisons and called for the cessation of harsh isolation conditions in these institutions. Key speakers emphasized the deterioration of prisoners’ rights and highlighted personal experiences of those subjected to these dire conditions.
| Article Subheadings |
|---|
| 1) Overview of Press Conference and Hunger Strikes |
| 2) Insights into the Isolation Policies |
| 3) Conditions in “Well-Type” Prisons |
| 4) Personal Accounts from Hunger Strikers |
| 5) Calls for Solidarity and Action |
Overview of Press Conference and Hunger Strikes
The press conference organized by the Contemporary Lawyers Association (ÇHD) took place in the Istanbul Bar Association Cultural Center as a crucial response to the severe conditions faced by prisoners in Y-type, S-type, and High Security Prisons. Lawyers and activists convened to raise awareness about the indefinite hunger strikes currently taking place in these facilities, where individuals reportedly endure inhumane conditions. The gathering aimed to highlight urgent calls for the closure of these prisons, which are characterized by severe isolation measures.
During the conference, lawyer Güçlü Sevimli took the stage to open the discussion, identifying the pressing issues surrounding prison reform and the immediate need for systemic change. Following Sevimli, lawyer Seda Şaraldı presented a statement outlining the detrimental impact of isolation practices on prisoners’ mental health and human dignity. They expressed deep concern over the lack of transparency surrounding the operations of these corrections facilities, creating a culture of neglect and abuse.
Insights into the Isolation Policies
Lawyer Güçlü Sevimli, a prominent figure in the ÇHD, shed light on the evolution of isolation policies within Turkish prisons. He noted that the current level of isolation has intensified since the introduction of F-type prisons in the early 2000s, reaching alarming new heights starting in 2021. The stark realities of Y-type and S-type prisons, along with High Security facilities, showcase environments where systematic abuse is a daily norm.
Additionally, he emphasized the complete opacity with which these prisons are run, functioning without adequate oversight from regulatory bodies. The Ministry of Justice’s lack of accountability raises significant concerns about the human rights violations occurring within these institutions. According to Sevimli, Turkey currently houses around 40 so-called well-type prisons, many of which are still under construction and could perpetuate these inhumane practices.
The alarming situation is compounded by the violation of Article 25 of the Law on the Execution of Sentences and Security Measures, which prohibits certain punitive measures against individuals not convicted of heinous crimes. Yet, Sevimli confirmed that even those awaiting trial or serving lighter sentences are often subjected to indefinite solitary confinement, effectively isolating them from human contact.
Conditions in “Well-Type” Prisons
During the press conference, lawyer Seda Şaraldı elaborated on the notorious characteristics of well-type prisons, which she described as structured to dehumanize inmates. These facilities are engineered to limit social interaction and enforce extreme isolation practices.
- Cell Types: Most cells are designed for one or three individuals, severely limiting the capacity for social interaction.
- Ventilation: Many of the prison units suffer from inadequate airflow, allowing sunlight exposure for merely one hour a day.
- Windows: The cells are often nearly sealed off, completely obstructing natural light.
- Surveillance: Continuous camera monitoring intrudes on the privacy of inmates, further stifling their humanity.
- Social Rights: The facilities impose strict restrictions on conversations and communal activities, creating an environment of despair.
- Location: The remote settings of these prisons make family visits exceedingly difficult, complicating inmates’ access to legal representation.
Şaraldı poignantly asserted that the overarching purpose behind the design of these institutions is to exacerbate isolation and diminish the possibility of establishing social bonds, thereby seeking to destabilize the political convictions of the detainees.
In addition to highlighting the prisons’ structural flaws, Şaraldı raised concerns about the precarious health of nine known hunger strikers. Many of these individuals have been on hunger strike for prolonged periods and are on the verge of critical health deterioration. She provided specific updates on their conditions, highlighting severe medical issues that have raised alarm among human rights advocates.
Personal Accounts from Hunger Strikers
In a deeply emotional segment, members of the Socialist Youth Associations Federation (SGDF) shared their harrowing personal experiences of imprisonment. Onur Yoldaş Mete recounted his time in Çorlu Karatepe Prison, revealing the relentless isolation that inmates endure.
“You spend 23 hours daily confined to a dark single cell. Even sharing reading materials with other prisoners is prohibited. These conditions are engineered to destroy communication skills and emotional regulation.”
Additionally, Vedat Doğan from the music band Grup Yorum recounted his harrowing 178-day hunger strike, revealing the calculated attempts by prison authorities to inflict suffering upon him and other protestors.
“Authorities deliberately prolonged our suffering—denying water, providing rotten lemons, and administering B vitamins in subtherapeutic doses. The physical and psychological scars remain. We literally had to risk death before they approved our transfer requests.”
Their stories shed light not only on the harsh practices within prisons but also the psychologically damaging effects of isolation policies that have been implemented in Turkish correctional facilities.
Calls for Solidarity and Action
In closing, the ÇHD issued a dire warning regarding the normalization of isolation regimes in Turkish prisons. The urgency for organized social resistance was emphasized, alongside calls for citizens to voice opposition against these conditions.
“Without organized social resistance, all Turkish prisons may adopt this well-type model. We implore every conscientious citizen to oppose this brutal system and stand in solidarity with the hunger strikers.”
This concluding message resonated deeply, calling for not only public awareness but also action against a system that threatens basic human rights in imprisonment. Activists stressed that any complacency could lead to a broader acceptance of the inhumane treatment that has become prevalent in the country’s prisons.
| No. | Key Points |
|---|---|
| 1 | The ÇHD conference aimed to raise awareness about the hunger strikes in Turkish prisons. |
| 2 | Isolation policies have intensified since the introduction of F-type prisons in the early 2000s. |
| 3 | Well-type prisons are designed for extreme isolation and human rights violations. |
| 4 | Personal accounts emphasized the physical and psychological toll of prison conditions. |
| 5 | Activists called for public solidarity and organized resistance against these policies. |
Summary
The press conference by the Contemporary Lawyers Association has brought critical attention to the severe and inhumane conditions prevailing in Turkish prisons, particularly within the well-type facilities. By outlining the dire health conditions of hunger strikers and emphasizing the urgent need for systemic change, the event has amplified calls for public resistance against the brutal isolation policies being implemented. This situation remains a pressing issue and reflects broader concerns surrounding human rights violations within the correctional system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What types of facilities are classified as “well-type” prisons?
Well-type prisons refer to Y-type, S-type, and High Security prisons in Turkey, which are noted for their extreme isolation practices and severe restrictions on inmates’ social interactions.
Question: What conditions do hunger strikers in these prisons experience?
Hunger strikers face serious health complications due to inadequate medical care, extreme isolation, and punitive measures from prison authorities, leading to critical physical and psychological issues.
Question: Why is organized resistance against isolation practices important?
Organized resistance is vital to challenge and potentially reverse the normalization of inhumane treatment in prisons, thereby safeguarding human rights and raising public awareness surrounding these issues.
