Comprehensive Report Reveals Extensive Human Rights Violations in Central Anatolia Prisons
A detailed semi-annual report released by the Lawyers for Freedom Association has laid bare severe human rights violations occurring across various high-security prisons in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. Compiled from interviews with inmates and their families, observations by legal professionals during visits, and communications received via letters sent to inmates’ lawyers, the report spans from January to June 2024 and highlights widespread systemic issues.
Methodology and Purpose: The report was informed not only by the lawyers’ visits but also by phone conversations with inmates’ families and letters sent to the inmates’ lawyers. These multiple sources of information provided a comprehensive view of the conditions within these facilities. The aim of this study was to identify recent increases in human rights violations and other related problems within these prisons, document these findings, inform the public, and initiate the necessary legal proceedings and criminal complaints based on the findings. Up to the date of the report, 16 prisons in the region had been visited.
Striking Examples of Abuse:
- Torture and Inhumane Treatment: A disturbing incident involved physical restraints used excessively and solitary confinement for minor infractions at Sincan 1 No’lu High-Security Prison, indicative of a broader pattern of psychological and physical torture.
- Malnutrition: In Kırşehir High-Security Prison, inmates reported receiving meals that were insufficient in quantity and lacking in essential nutrients, leading to widespread malnutrition and health deterioration.
- Health Care Access Problems: A particularly egregious case from Yozgat T Type Closed Prison involved a diabetic inmate with severe dental issues whose medical transfers were repeatedly canceled without explanation, showcasing a disregard for inmate health that is systemic across the region’s prisons.
Key Findings:
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Inhumane Treatment and Arbitrary Punishments: Many prisoners recounted experiences of excessive and arbitrary disciplinary actions, which were often not aligned with their actual behaviors. These punishments appear to be tools used to suppress inmates’ rights and maintain strict control over prison dynamics, contributing to a punitive environment where basic rights are frequently violated.
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Denial of Medical Access: A critical issue highlighted in the report is the consistent denial of proper medical care. Several prisoners with serious health conditions reported delays and outright denials of medical transfers, leading to a deterioration in their health. Specific cases include prisoners being taken to appointments only to be returned to facilities without seeing a specialist, often under flimsy administrative pretexts.
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Unsanitary Conditions and Overcrowding: Inmates raised concerns about unsanitary conditions exacerbated by severe overcrowding. The report specifically mentions Sincan 1 No’lu High-Security Prison, where cells intended for single occupancy were housing multiple people. This not only breaches personal space but also facilitates the rapid spread of diseases.
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Restrictions on Communication: The report detailed severe restrictions on communication, including significant limitations on receiving and sending letters, censorship of mail, and monitored phone calls. These measures are used to isolate prisoners further from the outside world and control the flow of information into and out of the prisons.
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Discriminatory Practices: Particularly concerning are the harsher conditions faced by certain groups, especially political detainees. These inmates often endure isolation, more frequent raids, and psychological and physical pressures aimed at breaking their morale.
The Arrested Lawyers Initiative also reported that overcrowding problem persists and even has worsened in Turkish prisons.
According to recent data published by the Turkish Ministry of Justice, there were 342,526 inmates in Turkish prisons as of July 2024, meaning that Turkey has the sixth largest prison population in the world, following the US, China, Brazil, India and the Russian Federation. The number is high despite the fact that Turkey carried out two mass releases of prisoners: one in August 2016 to make room for political prisoners who would be detained during a two-year state of emergency declared after a failed coup in 2016, the other in April 2020 to reduce the prison population in the face the COVID 19 pandemic, and most recently in July 2023.
The Lawyers for Freedom Association is leveraging this comprehensive report to push for judicial reforms and has filed multiple legal challenges against the most egregious abuses. The association also aims to use this documentation to alert international human rights platforms and seek broader interventions.
The findings have sparked international concern, with human rights organizations around the world calling on the Turkish government to undertake serious reforms. These would ensure that prison conditions meet international human rights standards and safeguard the health and well-being of all inmates, with an urgent focus on those vulnerable due to their political beliefs or minority status. The full report is available on the association’s website and has been submitted to various international human rights bodies for further action.
Categories: Turkey Human Rights Blog