Rights violations escalate in Tokat Prison, ill prisoners denied medical care

img

RIHA – A new report by ÖHD’s Riha Branch highlights worsening conditions and serious rights violations in Tokat Prison, including denial of medical care to ill prisoners, and urges urgent action from national and international bodies.

Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) Riha (Urfa) Branch revealed its report on Tokat Prison. Speaking at a press conference, Serhat Kurt, co-spokesperson of the ÖHD Prison Commission, presented the findings of a 27-page report, emphasizing that earlier warnings had gone unheeded and that “the problems continued to deepen.” The report details widespread violations, ranging from inadequate healthcare to politically motivated parole delays and arbitrary administrative practices.
 
HEALTHCARE WITHHELD OVER “MOUTH SEARCH” REFUSALS 
 
A central concern in the report is the systemic denial of medical care to prisoners who refuse to comply with so-called “mouth search” procedures during hospital or infirmary transfers. According to Kurt, “prisoners who cannot be transferred to hospitals for 7 months cannot undergo medical examinations, the treatment of seriously ill patients is delayed and their condition is getting serious.”
 
He cited multiple cases of prisoners suffering from critical illnesses such as hypertension, heart disease, cataracts, and cancer. Among those named in the report are Aydın Değirmenci (colon cancer), Yunus Şimir (heart disease), and Ömer Yaman (70 years old, hypertension).
 
Kurt referenced the United Nations’ (UN) Nelson Mandela Rules, which require that prisoners receive healthcare equal to that available in the community. “However, these standards are not provided in Tokat Prison,” he said, arguing that the institution’s practices violate both domestic and international human rights standards.
 
PAROLE DELAYS BASED ON POLITICAL QUESTIONS 
 
The report also highlights a pattern of parole postponements based on prisoners’ responses to politically charged questions. Kurt stated, “Prisoners are asked political questions in the Administrative Observation Board, and the answers given about the PKK and Mr Abdullah Öcalan are used as a justification for prolonging the execution.” He noted that inmate Ferit Şahin, for instance, had his release delayed six times before finally being approved on the seventh board.
 
In addition, the report outlines discriminatory treatment of political prisoners compared to judicial prisoners, including restricted access to telephone and video calls, frequent and intrusive searches, censorship of reading material and television channels, and the rejection of transfer requests to facilities closer to families.
 
“The exile of prisoners and the rejection of their requests for transfer to places where their families live violate the right to respect for private life and the right to treatment in accordance with human dignity,” the report states.
 
CALL FOR OVERSIGHT AND REFORM 
 
In response to the documented violations, ÖHD has issued a formal appeal to the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), the Turkish Human Rights and Equality Institution (TİHEK), the Ministries of Health and Justice, and the Turkish Parliament’s Human Rights Inquiry Commission.
 
Kurt stressed the urgent need for independent oversight mechanisms, citing “the situation of sick prisoners, the physical conditions of the prison and the unlawful treatment of prisoners” as pressing concerns. The report concludes with 36 recommendations aimed at ending discriminatory practices, restoring access to healthcare, and ensuring compliance with human rights norms.
 
The first section of the report outlines the methodology, previous monitoring efforts, and interviews conducted inside the prison. The remainder is divided into categories including violations of the prohibition on torture, health and hygiene issues, discrimination, freedom of expression, and denial of parole and fair treatment. 
 
As calls for reform grow louder, the Tokat Prison report adds to mounting evidence of systemic abuse in Turkey’s penitentiary system — and raises urgent questions about institutional accountability.

View More Articles

27/05/2025
09:16 'Ground must be laid for women's participation in the process'
09:15 Women in Amed prepare for 31 May
09:14 Precedent decision from court: Governor cannot ban all protests and events
26/05/2025
15:25 Release of prisoner postponed for 6 months
14:37 IHD Amed Branch: The process must not be wasted
12:17 ECtHR requests defence from Turkey regarding Cizîr
11:16 Venezuela election: 42 per cent turnout, Maduro wins
10:16 IBB investigation detainees referred to courthouse
09:31 We fear of his life says lawyer of ill prisoner
09:28 CPT member Osman: Turkey's attacks are blocking the process
09:24 'Let the Kurdish issue be solved on an equal basis'
09:14 Ill prisoner with 92 per cent diability report deteriorates
09:09 First point is to release Mr Öcalan says Laura Castel
09:06 'Unless Kurdish is liberated from occupation, thought cannot be free'
08:49 Israeli strikes across Gaza kill 24 people
25/05/2025
19:18 KNK Congress ends: Number of Executive Council members increased
14:32 Bakırhan: Peace can only be achieved through laws
14:25 Ahmet Karamus and Zeynep Murad elected as co-chairs of KNK
14:19 Mother who lost 6 children: We buried our children to see good days
13:49 Civil society must be part of Parliamentary Commission says politician Melda Onur
12:47 Declaration from the KNK: Let’s unite through a National Conference
11:20 Italian medical delegation prevent visiting Shengal
11:01 Chair of Riha Bar Association: ‘Right to hope’ essential for peace
10:11 Mother of Hacı Lokman Birlik: We want to live freely on our land
09:35 Mother of ill prisoner: We should be reunited with our children through legal regulation
23/05/2025
16:23 Co-Chair of OHD: Implementing the 'right to hope' is essential
15:27 Aysegul Dogan: Parliament Speaker should take responsibility for commission
14:38 Barcelona launches 'Hope League' project in North and East Syria
14:14 Report on 20 Prisons: Two prisoners sharing a single bunk
13:39 'Kurdish Revival' documentary website launched
13:17 Solution is not abolishing Lausanne, but establishing a democratic constitution says Historian Ulugana
12:09 Demand of those who have lost loved ones in conflicts: Freedom and peace
11:33 ‘We trust Öcalan, we are ready to contribute’
10:57 Families applies to go to İmralı
10:48 Satellite photos of destruction in Gabar
10:30 Menzione: Öcalan must be able to lead change he wants to initiate from outside
10:29 Operation against IBB: Detention warrant for 49 people
22/05/2025
16:51 'Abolish isolation, release ill prisoners'
16:28 Turkish Defence Ministry: Attacks will continue
16:13 Journalist Oznur Deger releases
14:11 Author Gretchen Dutschke-Klotz voices support for Öcalan
12:11 Amed Citizens: They call Öcalan to Parliament but don't secure his freedom!
11:12 Mother of Cemile Çağırga: Despite losing two of my children, I still call for peace
21/05/2025
11:04 Yigiter, who attacked: I am in good condition
10:44 Plundering of nature under military protection in Colemêrg
10:19 Young people demand education in mother language
09:41 ‘A new process offers hope for the socialist movement’
20/05/2025
22:16 Cenk Yigiter attacked, taken to intensive care unit
21:17 DEM Party's statement after meetings
17:34 DEM Party and CHP meeting ends