VAN - TUHAY-DER protested the torture and rights violations faced by prisoners in Van F Type Prison with a sit-in.

 

The Association for Assistance and Solidarity with the Families of Detainees and Convicts (TUHAY-DER) held a press release to protest the treatment reached up to torture in Van F Type High Security Prison. The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Provincial Organization, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Provincial Organization, Education and Science Workers’ Union (Eğitim-Sen) branch members, Human and Freedom Party (PIA), relatives of prisoners and many citizens attended the statement held in front of Ova Business Center on Art Street. Adil Koçak read the press text on behalf of the association.

 

‘Prisons are wanted to be turned into torture chambers’

 

Stating that the violations of rights in prisons where political prisoners are held are increasing day by day, Adil said, ‘’Prisons are wanted to be turned into centers of violations of rights, torture and strip search. Adil stated that the lawyers of the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (OHD) Van Branch and Bar Association Prison Commission held meetings with detainees and convicts in Van F Type Prison regarding the applications made to their associations and the violations of rights reflected in the press.

 

‘Nearly thirty prisoners were exposed to torture in sponge rooms’

 

Stating that as a result of the meetings, torture and inhumane treatment took place by the prison administration and personnel against detainees and convicts, Adil shared the following information about the meeting held on October 14 with the prisoners named M.U. , N.T. , D.S. , R.D., ‘’They said that the prison administration wanted to empty four rooms of political prisoners on the grounds that new detainees would be placed, that they agreed to evacuate three rooms, but they objected to empty one because there was no reason to do it and that H.A and his/her roommates were insulted and battered. Against this, they said that political prisoners banged on doors and walls. They stated that nearly thirty prisoners were taken to the sponge room and kept in a crowded and waited as mix with the quarantined prisoners, and that thirty prisoners were taken back to their wards as a result of the meetings.’’

 

‘End your practices in prison immediately’

 

Stating that torture and ill-treatment to prisoners in prisons are against international conventions and human rights, Adil said, ‘’Practices reached up to torture in Van F Type should be stopped immediately. In this context, we remind once again that those concerned should act within the framework of the norms stipulated by international law’’.

 

Sit-in protest

 

After the slogans of ‘’Biji Berxwedana zindana’’ and ‘’Political prisoners are our honor’’, the mass made a five-minute sit-in protest. The statement came to an end after a five-minute sit-in.