Despite the ongoing political process, problems such as the failure to postpone prison sentences for ill prisoners, the lack of treatment in fully equipped hospitals, and the continued imprisonment of those unable to care for themselves remain unresolved.

 

Coşkun said that violations in prisons, particularly affecting ill prisoners, have increased and stressed that solutions already exist within the current legal framework.

 

‘PRISONS REMAIN PLACES OF INTENSE RIGHTS VIOLATIONS’

 

Coşkun noted that prisons in Turkey have long been places where rights violations occur frequently and said the situation continues today. He said: “Unfortunately, rights violations continue today. These violations are also widespread in prisons in Van. From the approach of prison administrations toward detainees to prisoners’ access to healthcare, rights violations persist."

 

He added that prisoners are often forced to undergo medical examinations while handcuffed — a practice widely criticized by human rights organizations.

 

Coşkun also referred to a recent tuberculosis case reported in the Van T-Type Prison: “After receiving information about a tuberculosis case, we conducted a visit. One of the prisoners in quarantine told us that the diagnosis was confirmed as positive. Many prisoners do not have adequate access to healthcare services."

 

‘PRISONERS ARE BEING ISOLATED’

 

Coşkun also criticized policies that he said isolate prisoners from social life.He stated that prisoners face restrictions in accessing publications such as books, newspapers, and magazines, as well as limited access to television and radio channels.

 

“Prisons are not following a policy aimed at improving conditions in line with the ongoing process. On the contrary, they are pursuing a policy that isolates prisoners, distances them from social life, and leaves them increasingly alone,” Coşkun said and added that the Human Rights Association continues to receive serious reports of rights violations concerning sick prisoners.

 

‘FORENSIC MEDICINE INSTITUTE REPORTS ARE THE MAIN OBSTACLE’

 

Coşkun emphasized that no new legislation is required to enable the release of ill prisoners. He said: “There is already a procedure in the existing law that allows for the release of sick prisoners. The issue is not a legal procedure but rather a bureaucratic and political approach."

 

According to Coşkun, reports issued by the Council of Forensic Medicine often state that prisoners are fit to remain in prison, even in cases where their health condition suggests otherwise. “These reports are the biggest obstacle to the release of sick prisoners,” he said.

 

Coşkun suggested that the authority to determine whether prisoners can remain in prison should be transferred from the Council of Forensic Medicine to fully equipped hospitals. “If this authority is transferred to qualified hospitals and proper medical reports are obtained, the problem would largely be resolved without the need for new legislation,” he added.

 

EXPECTATIONS FROM A NEW JUDICIAL PACKAGE

 

Coşkun also referred to discussions around a potential new judicial reform package, which he said is being closely monitored by human rights organizations.

 

He expressed hope that the reforms could include provisions facilitating the release of political prisoners. Coşkun concluded: “We hope that a legal regulation will be adopted that reflects the proposals of civil society organizations working in this field. We want all prisoners to benefit equally from the law."

 

MA / Bilal Babat – Ozlem Yacan