ISTANBUL- Stating that Ergin Aktaş, who has no left arm and right hand and who was reported as "cannot stay in prison" by ATK 6 times and could not meet his needs, IHD called for his release.

The Prison Commission of the Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch held the 614th one which they organize every week, in front of the IHD Istanbul Branch building. In this week's action, attention was drawn to the health condition of seriously ill disabled prisoner Ergin Aktaş, who is in Metris Type R Prison. In the statement, "Treatment is a right, it cannot be prevented" and "Sick prisoner Ergin Aktaş should be released” banners were unfurled and slogans such as "Isolation kills, solidarity makes people live" were frequently chanted. People's Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Central Executive Board (MYK) member Musa Piroğlu, 78's Initiative Spokesperson Celalettin Can, Mothers of Saturday as well as many human rights activists attended the statement.

The statement was read by Meryem Bars, member of the Prisons Commission of the IHD Istanbul Branch. Noting that prisoner Ergin Aktaş, who is in Metris Type R Prison, has many health problems, Bars stated that he is not able to meet his own needs in prison. Expressing Aktaş's health problems, Bars said, "He is a disabled prisoner whose hand is missing from the elbow and whose right hand is missing from the wrist and he cannot meet his self-care and personal needs on his own. In addition to this disability, he also has COPD and his problems and illnesses related to these diseases continue.”

ONE OF THEM IS PARALYZED, THE OTHER IS BEDFAST

Stating that Aktaş has been exiled to many prisons since the day he was captured, Bars said that he contracted COPD and fungal disease during this time. Bars said: “Aktaş is being held in a single cell in Metris Type R Prison. He had to go on a hunger strike to be able to move to a triple room. For a long time, they tried to survive by looking after each other with two sick prisoners, one of them is paralyzed and the other almost bedfast.”

HIS RELEASE WAS BLOCKED 6 TIMES

Bars said that since 2013, the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK) prepared "cannot stay in prison" report for Aktaş 6 times and stated that he was not released due to the "security" report from the police, which included the phrase "dangerous".

'HE CAN'T MEET HIS NEEDS ON HIS OWN'

Lawyer Gülizar Tuncer said: “We made an application to the Constitutional Court (AYM) and they rejected. We took the case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and requested ‘precautions.’ Keeping in prison poses a serious risk to the health and life of COPD patient Ergin Aktaş, whose left hand is missing from the elbow and his right hand from the wrist and who cannot do self-care on his own due to his disability."