The Mardin (Mêrdîn) branch of the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) and the Federation of Associations for Assistance to Prisoners and Convicts' Families (TUHAD-FED) held a press statement in Karayolları Park to protest the absence of any reform addressing political and ill prisoners in the 10th Judicial Reform Package.

A banner reading, “Defending life is building peace – freedom for ill prisoners, stop the revocation of release rights,” was displayed at the protest, where slogans such as “Bijî berxwedana zindana” (“Long live the prison resistance”) and “Tear down the prisons, freedom for the prisoners” were chanted repeatedly.

The statement was read by Berivan Orhan, Co-Chair of the Mardin branch of the ÖHD.

Forensic Medicine Institute has become monopolized

Berivan Orhan stated that ill prisoners are being denied their right to medical treatment and that inhumane conditions continue in prisons. She explained: “Even medical reports issued by fully equipped hospitals are not considered valid unless approved by the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK). The ATK is structurally far from impartial, and its bureaucratic delays seriously endanger the health of ill prisoners.”

Berivan Orhan emphasized that this situation, as noted in rulings by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), could be considered a form of torture or inhuman treatment.

Independent medical boards must be authorized

Berivan Orhan stated that there are thousands of ill prisoners in jails, yet none of their requests for sentence postponement are being evaluated by independent and impartial bodies. She said: “Seriously ill prisoners must be released immediately. Decisions regarding sentence postponement should be made by independent medical boards. The practice of granting sole authority to the Forensic Medicine Institute must come to an end.”

A reform process based on human rights must be initiated

The statement also referenced the call made by Abdullah Öcalan on 27 February 2025, stressing: “For this call to be met with a meaningful response, the isolation system on Imralı Island must be lifted, and conditions must be established that allow Mr. Öcalan to contribute to social peace. Today, in order to open the way for peaceful solutions in Turkey, to ensure that all segments of society can live together on the basis of equal citizenship, and to rebuild the rule of law, a reform process grounded in respect for human rights must be initiated, starting with prisons and extending to all state institutions.”

Arbitrariness in prisons must end

Berivan Orhan stated that Administrative and Observation Boards are arbitrarily blocking releases and added: “The uncertainty surrounding the execution of prison sentences is a clear violation of the right to a fair trial. Discriminatory policies implemented in prisons must end, and the principle of the rule of law must be restored.”

Call to society: do not remain silent

The statement concluded with a call for public awareness and solidarity in the face of human rights violations: “We call on all members of society and the public to show sensitivity to these rights violations, to support the struggle for a democratic state governed by the rule of law, and to take responsibility.”