Turkey Must Respect the Rights of Prisoners on Hunger Strike and Engage in Dialogue with them

Widad Akrawi
2012 / 10 / 26

Defend International urges Turkey to put an end to all forms of harassment, torture, and inhumane treatment against the Kurdish prisoners on hunger strike, and to provide them with access to qualified medical care.

Defend International is alarmed by reports that hundreds of Kurdish political prisoners have started an open hunger strike, and the Turkish authorities continue to ignore the rights of prisoners who are protesting against prison conditions, unfair practices and violations of human rights, including racial discrimination in trails. On September 12, 2012 the hunger strike was initiated in 7 prisons with 63 prisoners, of which 13 were women. Now, the hunger strike has grown to more than 770 prisoners detained in dozens of prisons. Among the prisoners are politicians, journalists, mayors, members of the parliament and city councils, as well as civil society activists. After having submitted numerous petitions to the authorities, they have resorted to a hunger strike in an attempt to get the attention of the government. Their demands include the right to education and legal defense in mother tongue, and recognition of the Kurds democratic rights.

DI is deeply concerned that many prisoners on hunger strike have been punished with solitary confinement, and that the guards are using excessive force and punitive measures, such as denying prisoners access to drinking water, sugar, and vitamins, aiming to force the prisoners to break their hunger strike.

Defend International is calling for urgent intervention by the Turkish authorities in order to immediately put an end to all forms of harassment, torture, and inhumane treatment against the prisoners on hunger strike. Unfortunately, to date, Turkish officials have not taken any steps to thoroughly and impartially investigate these allegations, follow where evidence leads, and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. They have also failed to engage in peaceful negotiations with the prisoners. We urge the authorities to provide, without delay, the prisoners access to qualified medical care, and anyone in serious condition must be referred instantly to a qualified health professional or a hospital where the necessary treatment should begin promptly.

DI calls upon the Turkish authorities to ensure that conditions of detention conform to international standards for the treatment of prisoners, to engage in dialogue with the prisoners, and to pay heed to their requests.

It bears mentioning that the Kurds in Turkey have suffered from systematic repression characterized by grave violations of their civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, in addition to death in custody under torture, disappearances, widespread arbitrary arrests, torture and other cruel, inhuman treatment or punishment.




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