According to the data of the Human Rights Association (İHD), there are more than 1,600 sick prisoner, 604 of whom are seriously ill. While the authorities remain silent about the sick prisoners, the Justice Watch that was started by the relatives of sick prisoners and prisoners who are not released despite they served their time, continues on its 16th day. Writer Herdem Merwanî, the daughter of Abdülhalim Kırtay, who is being held in İzmir Şakran T Type Closed Prison, also joined the Justice Watch after ending the hunger strike she has been on at home for 3 days for the treatment of sick prisoners. Merwanî called for support for the Justiec Watch of the mothers.

 

HE IS GETTING WORSE DAY BY DAY

 

Merwanî, who said that his 73-year-old ill prisoner father has been in prison for 30 years and therefore getting worse day by day, said: "My father has been transferred from prison to prison in these 30 years. He got worse day by day during these years. He was managing at first but in Kırıkkale Prison he took a turn for the worse. He went to Şakran for treatment but he got worse. And he is getting worse by the day. He is held in quarantine alone for 15 days everytime he is taken to hospital. These people are already under isolation. This is isolation in isolation. They are basically dead. If this goes like this, we are sure bad things will happen."

 

'I WANTED TO BE THE VOICE OF THE PRISONERS'

 

Stating that the mothers who started the Justice Watch are doing a very sacred thing and they should be embraced, Merwanî said, "I have tried to make my voice heard for 3 months for the condition of sick prisoners. I spoke to the press. Then when nothing worked, I went on a hunger strike on November 28. But then I ended the hunger strike and decided to join the families. Because mothers are doing a very sacred thing, I wanted to support them."

 

'ENEMY LAW'

 

Stating that the state implements cruel politicies on prisoners, Merwanî said: "These are very dirty policies. People are dying in prisons and they are trying to make us accept this. We will never accept it. Kurdish lives are not cheap. There have been a lot of amnesties for prisoners and new regulations were enacted. The murderers and rapists benefitted from them, not the political prisoners. My father is 73-years-old. He doesn't have long days ahead of him. Why is this harted towards a 73-year-old man? We just want the state to comply with its own laws. We have no other expectations from the state. Our hope lies with the people. All political parties and NGOs must take responsibility and do their part."

 

MOTHERS ARE A HOPE FOR ALL

 

Stating that she will support the Justice Watch until the demands are met, Merwanî said, "I will join the mothers with all my hope and enthusiasm. They have been a source of hope and morale for us all. I wanted to add my voice to theirs, no matter how small it is and maybe it can shed a bigger light than I am alone."

 

CALL FOR SOLIDARITY

 

Calling all segments of society to be in solidarity with the mothers, Merwanî said: "This action is a defense of the honor of Kurds. Dungeons are the mirror of our conscience. All Kurdish parties should protect their honor. If these mothers are defending our honour, everyone else should defend the honor of these mothers.”  

 

 

MA / Eylem Akdağ