CHP Ankara MP Şenal Sarıhan commented on the proposal for a parliamentarian investigation in regards to the conditions of prisons, which have been turned into places of collective punishment in ways that do not comply with human dignity. Sarıhan said: “Violations of rights in prison on the rise since July 15”.

Violations of rights in prisons on the rise since coup attempt

DENİZ AYHAN – ASLINUR ÖZÇAKIR

Giving reports about the latest situation with regards to the conditions at prisons, CHP Ankara MP Şenal Sarıhan pointed out that violations of rights have risen since the coup attempt and that the prisons have been turned into places of collective punishment in inhuman ways. Sarıhan also emphasized that the fundamental principle of the law that regulates prison conditions is based on ‘justice.’

‘There are difficulties faced in terms of visits of relatives and lawyers’

Underlining that the violations of rights in prisons, which they had already been trying to point out prior to July 15, has peaked greatly with the declaration of state of emergency, Sarıhan reported: “Families are kept waiting too long to see their jailed relatives, while we also witness signs of torture. The inmates are not allowed to see anyone aside from their first-degree relatives.”

Adding that the inmates are also given hard time in seeing their lawyers, Sarıhan explained that even when visits of lawyers are allowed, the inmates see them only along with the presence of a third person and that their conversations are easily interrupted by the guardians. Sarıhan continued: “It is really debatable how efficiently a lawyer can proceed with the duty of defending the inmates while he/she is under a cloud. The facts that the duration of custody is increased to 30 days in a way that is beyond the standing laws and that claims of oppression, violence, maltreatment, and torture – and, actually, presence of signs that are verifying such claims- puts us in this dire situation. On top of that, the prisons are now too crowded!