NEWS CENTER – The ÖHD Riha branch called fort he release of seriously ill prisoners and demanded an end to the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK) being the sole authority on release decisions, urging the inclusion of independent medical institutions.
A press statement was held in front of the Urfa Courthouse with the participation of the Riha (Urfa) Peace Mothers Assembly, relatives of prisoners, members of the Riha Labor and Democracy Platform, representatives of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, and numerous citizens. The statement was read by Meral Halat, Co-Spokesperson of the Lawyers for Freedom Association (ÖHD) Riha Prisons Commission, beneath a banner reading “Freedom for Ill Prisoners.”
Meral Halat criticized the lack of regulation around the release and treatment to ill prisoners, the discrimination they face, and the punitive natüre of their medical processes, stating that responsible ministries cannot ignore this reality.
Meral Halat stated that there are 26 ill prisoners, 17 of them seriously ill, being held in Urfa and Tokat prisons, including 2 seriously ill prisoners in Urfa Type T No.1 Prison and 10 seriously ill prisoners in Tokat Type T Prison. She said these figures reveal severe restrictions on prisoners’ access to healthcare. Meral Halat demanded the removal of barriers to treatment for ill prisoners.
Referring to Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s recent call, Meral Halat said, “His emphasis on recognizing democratic politics and legal processes reflects a firm commitment to peace. The aggravated isolation imposed on Mr. Öcalan is not only a violation of individual rights but also a serious obstacle to Turkey’s democratic future and peace process. For this call to be meaningful, the İmralı isolation system must be lifted, and conditions must allow Öcalan to contribute to social peace.”
Meral Halat pointed the need to initiate human rights-based reforms across all state institutions, especially in prisons, in order to pave the way for peaceful solutions, equal citizenship, and the rebuilding of rule of law. She called on the government to end discriminatory practices in prisons and urged the public to show sensitivity to these violations, support the struggle for a democratic rule of law, and take responsibility.