Rihan Gök, a member of the Prison Commission of the Diyarbakır (Amed) Bar Association, spoke to ANF about rights violations in prisons across Kurdistan and Turkey, particularly concerning the health conditions of ill prisoners.

She drew attention to the increasing cases of torture and serious rights violations, especially in prisons in the Serhad region. Gök noted that mistreatment in prisons is worsening and that there are severe obstacles to medical treatment for sick prisoners.

Addressing the systematic rights violations in Erzurum Dumlu and Erzincan High-Security Prisons, Gök stated that Imdat Bingöl, a chronically ill prisoner held in Erzurum, is being denied access to his regular medication. She also reported that Bingöl is being treated with cancer drugs despite not having received any formal diagnosis.

Prisoners who report violations are punished with disciplinary action

Rihan Gök stated, “Letters and petitions written by prisoners are being confiscated without any justification. This constitutes a serious violation of freedom of expression. Letters written in Kurdish are held for months without being delivered. Letters reporting administrative problems are not only confiscated, but prisoners raising these issues are also subjected to disciplinary penalties and investigations.”

She described the cell searches as inhumane, noting that personal belongings are often damaged during these raids. She also pointed out that transfers to hospitals are either delayed or not carried out at all, causing serious obstacles to prisoners’ access to healthcare.

Rihan Gök highlighted the prison architecture as unsuitable for human life. Gök stated that in Erzincan High-Security Prison, three prisoners are forced to share rooms designed for one person. She explained that this amounts to isolation for the inmates. She said, “Such practices negatively affect the psychological and physical health of the prisoners.”

Ill prisoners taken to X-ray room in handcuffs

Rihan Gök also addressed the ongoing health issues in prisons, specifically discussing the conditions of Mazlum Aksaç and Imdat Bingöl, both held in Erzurum Dumlu Prison.

Gök said, “Mazlum Aksaç requested to see a doctor due to chest pain, but during the process, he was subjected to mistreatment by prison guards. He was taken to the X-ray room in handcuffs and was verbally abused with profanities. This is not only a violation of the right to health but also an affront to human dignity.”

He is being treated with cancer drugs without a medical diagnosis

Providing further information about the health condition of Imdat Bingöl, Rihan Gök stated that he suffers from serious illnesses such as anemia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), yet no treatment is being administered for these conditions.

Gök said, “Despite these illnesses, Imdat is not taken to the infirmary when he feels unwell. Although he should be examined regularly, he goes months without seeing a doctor. Moreover, he is not being given the prescription medications he needs.”

She emphasized that Imdat is being treated with cancer drugs due to a mass found in his stomach, without any medical explanation or diagnosis. “This is a completely unscientific and unethical practice. Prison staff are acting as though they were doctors or members of medical boards, prescribing medication they deem appropriate and expecting inmates to take it.” Gök added that Imdat has undergone four kidney surgeries. After such operations, he should be regularly referred to a hospital for check-ups.

Gök concluded, “Unfortunately, the prison administration and staff, imposing conditions reminiscent of medieval times, blatantly violate even the most basic and universal human rights standards without the slightest concern.”

Sick prisoner’s petitions were confiscated

Rihan Gök stated that ill prisoners are unable to access proper treatment, and that many are not transferred to hospitals despite the progression of their illnesses. She emphasized that the letters and petitions written by Imdat Bingöl were confiscated, and that both his right to health and his right to security are being violated. She warned that such practices are leading to deaths in prison.

Gök continued: “Transfers to hospitals are not being carried out. Sick prisoners, or those with medical complaints, are forced to wait for months for hospital referrals. Imdat’s letters and petitions expressing these concerns were also confiscated, and an investigation was launched against him because of them. Imdat says he no longer feels safe. He is being subjected to threats and assaults. The worsening of his health is the result of the prison administration’s policy and conduct. These conditions only deepen the crisis within prisons. None of the deaths occurring in prisons are natural. Every one of them is a form of murder.”

Conditions for peace must begin in prisons

Rihan Gök also shared her views on the peace process, stating: “Despite the initiation of a peace process, pressure and rights violations in prisons continue. If a genuine peace is to be built, the violations taking place in prisons must be ended immediately.”

She stressed that prisons must be brought in line with universal human rights standards and that measures must be taken against mistreatment and torture within these institutions.

Prisoners are face to face with death on a daily basis

Rihan Gök stated that the deaths occurring in prisons are not natural and should be considered acts of murder. She said, “Leaving sick or elderly prisoners at risk of death without treatment or medical care is equivalent to murder. Prison conditions must be inspected by an impartial and independent committee.”

Sentencing reforms must be implemented without delay

Rihan Gök emphasized the urgent need for action to improve conditions in prisons and concluded her remarks as follows: “The negative conditions in prisons must be eliminated, ill prisoners must be released, and sentencing reforms must be implemented without delay. The training of prison staff must be improved, former law enforcement officers should not be appointed as guards, and oversight mechanisms must be strengthened.”