Torture is carried out massively and openly
Torture is carried out massively and openly
Prof. Dr. Þebnem Korur Fincanci, President of Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TIHV) and Istanbul University former Head of Department of Faculty of Forensic Medicine, expressed that isolation leads to health problems; “The protective mechanisms of the organism in all living creatures subjected to isolation become dysfunctional. The immune system is also a protection mechanism and causes cancer when disabled”. Concerning “disproportionate force” use, Fincanci said; “The violence police uses is called torture, not “disproportionate force”. Torture is now made in full view and en masse”.
HRTF President Prof. Dr. Þebnem Korur Fincanci’s report of human rights in Turkey was not pleasant at all. According to Fincancý who says that the torture is now applied on streets and en masse, isolation is now one of the causes of cancer ... Fincanci answered our questions.
* Government officials say we have recently left human rights violations behind. For example, there is no torture, they say. What do you think?
- We shouldn’t ignore that there have been some changes in Turkey, so let’s start with the positive side before. Most of the torture methods that we are used to see in detention places are no longer used widely and regular physical examinations in detention process have made contributions to the prevention of torture up to some extend. We have achieved positive gains as a result of our efforts over the years. Together with the Ministry of Health, we, more than 3 thousand 500 physicians gave training for the effective documentation and investigation of torture.
On the other side, United Nations Protocol of Convention Against Torture and national preventive mechanisms to be formed accordingly have still not been carried into effect despite being on the agenda for a long time. The human rights watch establishments in national watch mechanisms are intended to be retouched. The attitude of not coming together with especially human rights organizations is still persisted. The political will still shows drawback from cooperating with civilian organizations. At the same time, we see that the conflict environment in the country is still not prevented, some rights are still not ensured, and the freedom of expression and right of fair trial are still being abused.
TORTURE CONTINUES IN CASE OF IMPUNITY
* 'Zero tolerance' to torture still continues despite being argued. Are there any changes in the sizes and methods of torture?
- When you say 'zero tolerance' to torture, you must be talking about 'zero tolerance', you must have the perspective to remove the impunity. However, the impunity continues except for a few events that were approved by public opinion. Public officials are protected by not giving permit for investigation. And the judiciary nol-prosses an indictment for these people on the grounds that they will not commit a crime again. And in case of impunity, torture perforce continues because a perception is being created that torture is needed. Police thinks ‘this is our mission’.
There have been some changes now because torture can now be diagnosed and documented with the joint works of a number of human rights organizations including Human Rights Foundation of Turkey and scientists. For this reason, psychological methods are being used now, such as not meeting the needs of people or making them wait in the cold.
In addition, the penalizing of the second warden of the prison in Engin Ceber case was also important. This is the first example of a penalty given for turning a blind eye to torture, where it was applied or not.
Translation: Berna Ozgencil
HRTF President Prof. Dr. Þebnem Korur Fincanci’s report of human rights in Turkey was not pleasant at all. According to Fincancý who says that the torture is now applied on streets and en masse, isolation is now one of the causes of cancer ... Fincanci answered our questions.
* Government officials say we have recently left human rights violations behind. For example, there is no torture, they say. What do you think?
- We shouldn’t ignore that there have been some changes in Turkey, so let’s start with the positive side before. Most of the torture methods that we are used to see in detention places are no longer used widely and regular physical examinations in detention process have made contributions to the prevention of torture up to some extend. We have achieved positive gains as a result of our efforts over the years. Together with the Ministry of Health, we, more than 3 thousand 500 physicians gave training for the effective documentation and investigation of torture.
On the other side, United Nations Protocol of Convention Against Torture and national preventive mechanisms to be formed accordingly have still not been carried into effect despite being on the agenda for a long time. The human rights watch establishments in national watch mechanisms are intended to be retouched. The attitude of not coming together with especially human rights organizations is still persisted. The political will still shows drawback from cooperating with civilian organizations. At the same time, we see that the conflict environment in the country is still not prevented, some rights are still not ensured, and the freedom of expression and right of fair trial are still being abused.
TORTURE CONTINUES IN CASE OF IMPUNITY
* 'Zero tolerance' to torture still continues despite being argued. Are there any changes in the sizes and methods of torture?
- When you say 'zero tolerance' to torture, you must be talking about 'zero tolerance', you must have the perspective to remove the impunity. However, the impunity continues except for a few events that were approved by public opinion. Public officials are protected by not giving permit for investigation. And the judiciary nol-prosses an indictment for these people on the grounds that they will not commit a crime again. And in case of impunity, torture perforce continues because a perception is being created that torture is needed. Police thinks ‘this is our mission’.
There have been some changes now because torture can now be diagnosed and documented with the joint works of a number of human rights organizations including Human Rights Foundation of Turkey and scientists. For this reason, psychological methods are being used now, such as not meeting the needs of people or making them wait in the cold.
In addition, the penalizing of the second warden of the prison in Engin Ceber case was also important. This is the first example of a penalty given for turning a blind eye to torture, where it was applied or not.
Translation: Berna Ozgencil
