F Type prisons, which have never been out of our agenda since 19th December 2000, exist as a punishment, which is not compatible with mankind honour and an additional one to main punishment. As human rights defenders we have supported, many times, to stop separation and isolation; and we will continue. Nobody can prevent prisoners or convicts from coming together with other prisoners or convicts and from joining different activities. Person, even in a prison, has rights of life, health, education, nutrition, sports and joining social and cultural activities and these rights should be respected. PERSON IS A SOCIAL BEING.
SEVGİ SAYMAZ, is a prisoner in Uşak F Type and on death fast for 263 days,
GÜLCAN GÖRÜROĞLU, is a mother in Adana and on death fast for 258 days,
BEHİÇ AŞÇI, is a lawyer and on death fast for 288 days,
And they have been living both life and death at the same time for 288 days to support to abolish of separation and isolation in the prisons which have been practiced since 19th December 2000.
Although Mr. Bülent ARINÇ, the president of Turkish National Assembly, has recently interviewed with the family of Behiç AŞÇI and representatives of NGOs and stated the conditions in the prisons could be reviewed with a humanistic point of view, it is very disappointing that still no developments have been made. Human Rights Association’s demands for meetings with the Minister of Justice still have not been answered. Moreover the statement; “Our doors are open for NGOs” by General Director of Prisons and Detention Houses also could not be satisfactory for him to accept meeting demands.
Despite all of these, we–human rights defenders- call for once again;
-The Government and the Minister of Justice to fulfil their responsibilities. Let separation conditions applied upon the prisoners and convicts in all prisons be removed.
-Let three doors in the F type prisons be opened immediately, so 9 prisoners and convicts be able to communicate with each other, thus; death fast will stopped.
– Prisoners and convicts’ rights of defence, health, education, nutrition and communication with their families, lawyers and generally outside world and not to be subjected to violence should be respected in the prisons.
-Conditions in prisons, especially for women and children places, should be compatible with mankind honour.
– All of prisoners and convicts should be treated in a manner that suitable to human honour.
WE, HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS, CALL THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE AGAIN.
IF DOORS, WHICH PROVIDE ISOLATION, ARE IN PRISONS, KEYS ARE IN YOUR HANDS.
HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION