DİYARBAKIR - Health organisations in Diyarbakır stated that the Forensic Medicine Institude (ATK) which prepares reports that claims the ill-prisoners can remain in prison, is not complying with universal medicine values.

 

The isolation and the violations in prisons continues to take lives. 6 prisoners, 5 of whom were ill prisoners had died in prisons since November 12. Relevant institutions continue to refuse to take action despite these deaths. On the contrary, the release of the prisoners are prevented with the reports of the ATK and the suggestion of the prison administrations. 

 

Health and Social Service Workers' Union (SES) Diyarbakır Branch Co-chair Şiyar Güldiken and Diyarbakır Medical Chamber President Elif Turan evaluated the prevention of the release of prisoners despite their deteriorating health conditions.

  

ENEMY LAW

 

Stating that the country has turned into a "semi-open prison" due to the repression policies of the government, SES Branch Co-Chair Şiyar Güldiken noted that the pressure is at its worst in prisons. Stating that the experiences of 83-year-old ill prisoner Mehmet Emin Özkan summarizes the situation in prisons, Güldiken said, “The treatment of prisoners in Turkish prisons have never been seen anywhere else in the world. An 83-year-old ill prisoner must be released without question. Seriously ill prisoners must be treated. It is impossible to treat the seriously ill in prison. Therefore, by not releasing these prisoners, access to healthcare for an elderly seriously ill prisoner is prevented. The clear expression of this is the enemy law. The state is responsible for the security of the person both during the detention process and the prison process. For this reason, the state is obliged to ensure the safety of all detainees and prisoners, especially those who are ill."

 

'A CRIME IS BEING COMMITTED'

 

Pointing out that ATK is also responsible for the deaths in prisons, Güldiken stated that ATK makes decisions in accordance with the will of the political power. Pointing to the deaths in prison cells, Güldiken said, "There is clearly negligence in prisons. The death of 7-8 detainees in solitary confinement indicates the state as the perpetrator. It is called 'causing death'. Today, those who use these powers individually, are committing a crime. They will be held to account before the law. They need to know this. Today, we are face to face with a government knee deep in crime. They might not be held to account today. But they will be some day. They will remain to be the government only for so long. Everyone has had enough and they will hold the government to account at the elections. When the government changes, they all will be held to account."

 

THE BLEEDING WOUND OF THE COUNTRY

 

Diyarbakir Medical Chamber President Elif Turan stated that prisons are "the bleeding wound of the country". Stating that this wound resulted in death, Turan said, “We saw that the prisoners lost their lives in the cells they are held. Solitary confinement is a method of isolation and torture.” Stating that the prisoners and their families reached out to them and were aware of the violations of their rights, Turan said, “Violation of the right to healthcare comes first among the violations. The right to healthcare is a part of the right to life. We have seen this very clearly in the last 10 days. Violation of the right to healthcare leads to violations of the right to life. If a person does not reach healthcare, the disease can reach a more advanced level and result in death. Prisoner in prisons have not only been deprived of their right to freedom. International documents argue that humane treatment of detainees is a requirement of human rights. In this sense, detainees should not be deprived of access to hygiene, clean water, healthy food and healthcare. Otherwise, it turns into ill-treatment and torture.”

 

THE ATTITUDE OF THE FORENSIC MEDICINE INSTITUDE

 

Underlining that the attitude of the ATH violates the universal values of medicine, Turan said: "The Kocaeli Department of Forensic Medicine gave a report that 'Aysel Tuğluk cannot remain in prison', who is a seriously ill prisoner. However, the ATK declared that she is well enough to remain in prison.  In the report, it was stated that there are symptoms of dementia. Since dementia affects cognitive functions, it means that the person cannot do their daily activities. Because there may be memory loss, personality change, confusion. A person in that situation needs the support of their family and friends. Looking at the reports, we can say that the ATK is violating the universal values of medicine."

 

Turan called on for the ill- prisoners to be treated outside of the prisons and that the mass organisations have to take responsibility to follow up the situation of the ill- prisoners.

 

 

MA / Ergin Çağlar