ŞIRNEX – The hospital transfer of prisoner Yasin Kaya, held in Şırnak T-Type Closed Prison, was cancelled after he refused to comply with the enforced rule of wearing slippers. Additionally, a letter sent to another prisoner was confiscated by prison authorities.

 

Violations against prisoners in Şırnak T-Type Closed Prison continue unabated. These include disciplinary punishments, obstruction of hospital transfers, withholding of letters, and restrictions on social and cultural rights. Most recently, the transfer of Yasin Kaya was cancelled due to his refusal to wear slippers during hospital transport.

 

Sedat Sülger, a member of the Lawyers for Freedom Association (ÖHD) Prison Commission, assessed the ongoing rights violations. He highlighted that despite a change in the prison administration, discriminatory practices, particularly against political prisoners, persist. Sülger noted that prisoners were disciplined for celebrating Newroz by dancing and singing.

 

TRANSFER CANCELLED, LETTERS BLOCKED

 

Sülger explained that the slipper enforcemnet was reintroduced during Kaya’s hospital transfer and that those refusing to comply face cancelled transfers. “The rule forces prisoners to wear slippers instead of shoes when taken to hospital. Those who reject this are denied transfer,” he said. 

 

He also revealed that a letter sent to Kaya from another prison was rejected, illustrating the arbitrary nature of prison practices and said: “Letters from other prisons usually arrive without issue, but here the inspection finds ‘problems’ without informing the prisoner of what these are.” 

 

DISCRIMINATION AMONG PRISONERS

 

Highlighting the divide between political and judicial detainees, Sülger criticized recent reforms portrayed as benefiting all prisoners: “Political prisoners do not benefit from these changes. They are excluded from social activities, hospital transfers, health services, and similar rights. They demand only the lawful application of their rights, but their requests remain unmet.”

 

BOOK RESTRICTIONS

 

Sülger pointed out restrictions on the number of books allowed per prisoner and noted: “While other prisons permit up to 50 books, Şırnak limits each prisoner to only 5. This infringes on prisoners’ rights to education and freedom of expression. What purpose does such a strict limit serve?”

 

‘PRISONERS MUST BE HEARD IN COMMISSION’

 

Referring to the Peace and Democratic Society Process, Sülger criticized the government’s approach as insufficient. “The ruling coalition has only formed a parliamentary commission, which has yet to answer any questions. New legislation may be needed to address rights violations, but even enforcing existing laws would help—political will is key,” he said.

 

He added that the parliamentary commission excludes political prisoners from its discussions despite the long imprisonment many endure. Sülger concluded: “We believe prisoners who have been detained for 30 years or more must be heard.”