Lawyers say prisoners in Van not living in hygienic conditions

ÖHD visited the prisons in Van and stated that the cleaning and basic needs of prisoners are not met.

The Libertarian Lawyers Association (ÖHD) Van Branch issued a statement regarding the visit it carried out to Van T Type, F Type and High Security and Patnos L Type closed prisons. The organisation said the prisons are not fit to counter the coronavirus threat.

In the written statement, the lawyers said that prisoners were not given any disinfectants, masks, gloves, cleaning materials. It was noted that electricity, water uses and basic food needs were not provided free of charge.

Remarking that there is no clear information about how to proceed in case there are prisoners who prove positive to the infection, the lawyers said: "All officers are obliged to wear masks, but all staff working in the prison, including officers in the visiting camp, soldiers at the x-ray machines, are always side by side and in contact with each other."