MERSIN – Relatives of prisoners stated that despite the Peace and Democratic Society Process pressure continue in prisons and called on the state and the government to take concrete steps. 

 

Following the call made by Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan on 27 February the Kurdish Freedom Movement took many concrete steps. The PKK announced that it had ended the armed struggle. In this context, a commission was established in the Parliament. Apart from this, not a single concrete step was taken by the state and the government. The release of thousands of prisoners, especially ill prisoners, is also prevented due to the imposition of “remorse”. 

 

Stating that his son Mehmet Umit is being held in a solitary cell in Konya Eregli High Security Prison, Ibrahim Umit emphasised that the harsh conditions in prisons continue despite the process. Umit stated that his son is being held in a solitary cell even though he has only one arm. 

 

He said: “He has difficulty in meeting his basic needs. Ill prisoners in prisons are not taken to hospital. There is a great persecution there. The guards sometimes don't turn on the water and give him incomplete food. Also the situation of Iranian (Rojhilat) families is very bad, they cannot come. This picture is a complete misery."

 

'FIRST THE KURDISH MUST BE RECOGNISED'

 

Umit emphasised the state's distrustful approach and said that the bans on language and identity must be lifted for a democratic solution. He concluded: "We do not trust the state. Our leader reached out for peace, took steps to prevent bloodshed, but the state did not take any steps. Today, our leader is not only the leader of Kurds, but of all oppressed peoples. If Turkey really wants peace, it must first recognise the Kurdish language and ensure that sick prisoners meet with their families. The people should no longer remain silent about this situation. Everyone must stand up and defend their honour.”

 

'PRISONERS MUST REGAIN THEIR FREEDOM'

 

Sidar Sertkaya, sister of Mazlum Sertkaya, who is being held in Wan F-Type Closed Prison, stated that the conditions in prisons have not changed for years. Sidar Sertkaya stated that the situation of his brother, who has been in prison since 2019, has gradually worsened and that no regulation has been made in prisons since the beginning of the process. 

 

Stressing that families are following the process with hope but the state has not taken any concrete steps, Sidar Sertkaya added: "Everyone should regain their freedom, they need to take this step now. We want to express ourselves freely everywhere in Turkey, we want the bans on our language to be lifted."

 

'TAKE STEP'

 

Ekrem Hazar, the brother of Fethullah Hazar, who is being held in Balıkesir Bandırma T-Type Prison No 1, drew attention to the violations in prisons and stated that the process remained only at the level of rhetoric and the prisoners' expectations for freedom were not met. 

 

He said: "Steps should be taken, mothers should smile, prisoners should be reunited with their families. If everyone can speak Turkish freely, we also want to speak Kurdish freely. Our children, young people and mothers should be able to express themselves in their own language. Our brothers and sisters in prisons are struggling with illness and poverty. Let's take a step now and let all of them regain their freedom."

 

MA / Abdulkadir Ayten