SEMSUR - In Semsûr, a call was made for the release of ill prisoners and for the improvement of the conditions of Abdullah Öcalan.

 

The Semsûr (Adıyaman) Representative Office of the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) and the Association for Solidarity with the Families of Prisoners and Convicts (TUAYDER) made a statement in front of the courthouse about the ill prisoners in prisons. 

 

Making the statement, TUAYDER Executive Naci Korkmaz said, "The reports of doctors and hospitals that personally treat hundreds of ill prisoners in prisons are not valid unless approved by the Forensic Medicine Institution (ATK) and ATK has turned this into a monopoly. ATKs are not capable of making impartial and independent decisions. The fact that there is no change in the legislation regarding sick prisoners, discrimination in the process of suspending the sentence of ill prisoners, the fact that ill prisoners do not have appropriate and adequate treatment facilities, and that the treatment processes turn into a separate punishment stands before us as a reality that the administration and Ministries cannot ignore their responsibilities."

 

'ATK SHOULD NOT BE THE ONLY AUTHORITY'

 

Sharing the information that there are 7 ill prisoners in Akçadağ T-Type, Türkoğlu L-Type No 1-2 and Adıyaman L-Type prisons, Korkmaz said: "The obstacles to access to treatment for ill prisoners in Turkish prisons must be removed. Their requests for postponement of execution should be accepted and they should be released immediately. Seriously ill prisoners should be released immediately and execution postponement decisions should be made by independent medical boards. The practice of the ATK being the sole authority must be ended. Parole release of 3 prisoners was prevented in Akçadağ T-Type and Türkoğlu L-Type Prison No 2. Administrative and Observation Boards should put an end to arbitrary practices."

 

'IMRALI ISOLATION SYSTEM MUST BE ABOLISHED'

 

Emphasising the "recognition of democratic politics and legal dimension" stated by Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan in his historic call on 27 February 2025, Korkmaz stressed: "The aggravated isolation of Mr. Öcalan is not only a violation of individual rights; it also constitutes a serious obstacle for Turkey's democratic future and the peace process. This call can only be answered if the isolation in Imrali is lifted and conditions are created in which Mr Öcalan can contribute to social peace. Discriminatory and arbitrary practices in prisons must be ended immediately. We call on the whole society and the public to show sensitivity against these violations of rights, to support the struggle for a democratic rule of law and to take responsibility."