COLEMÊRG -  Pınar Yılmaz, co-chair of TUHAY-DER's Colemêrg Branch, called for urgent steps to secure the release of seriously ill prisoners as part of the Peace and Democratic Society Process, saying that repression continues in prisons.

 

Pressure and rights violations against prisoners continue in prisons despite the Peace and Democratic Society Process. Pınar Yılmaz, co-chair of the Colemêrg branch of the Association for Solidarity with Families of Prisoners and Convicts (TUHAY-DER) said the pressure on prisoners continues today just as it did in the past, and that the repressive policies in prisons run counter to the spirit of the process.

 

‘REPRESSIVE POLICIES ARE UNACCEPTABLE’

 

Pınar Yılmaz said the Kurdish issue is rooted in a historical process and that the imprisonment of prisoners is a continuation of that process. She stressed that the situation of prisoners should be among the first issues addressed as part of efforts to find a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue. Referring to Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s steps toward a democratic solution and peace as well as the framework law, Pınar Yılmaz said: “The Kurdish issue has now become a general issue, a social issue.” Pınar Yılmaz noted that violations continue in prisons, including the denial of ill prisoners’ right to access medical treatment and restrictions on their right to communicate. She said: “Urgent steps, particularly for ill prisoners, need to be taken. These repressive policies in prisons are unacceptable."

 

‘PRISON SENTENCES ARE STILL BEING EXTENDED’

 

Pınar Yılmaz said the association receives numerous complaints about rights violations every day and stressed that the policy of isolation in prisons remains in place. Referring to the rights violations reported to the association, Pınar Yılmaz said: “We receive complaints about nails and insects being found in prison food. We are also receiving complaints that pressure from prison administrations has increased significantly. In some prisons, directors who say, ‘We are Esat Oktay,’ are still in their posts. Prison sentences continue to be extended, and releases continue to be blocked.”

 

‘STEPS MUST BE TAKEN WITHOUT DELAY FOR PEACE’

 

Pınar Yılmaz said the Ministry of Justice is aware of the situation in prisons, adding: “Many applications are being submitted to the Minister of Justice every day. They know what is happening in prisons better than we do. Yet nothing is being done. Mr. Öcalan’s decision is also fundamental for us. But the state needs to take steps accordingly without delay. It may take a year. Of course, the scars of war cannot be erased overnight and peace cannot be achieved immediately. But if they are serious about achieving peace, they need to start taking steps without delay. Ill prisoners must be released.”