Warning from the Istanbul Medical Chamber regarding allegations of health rights violations in prisons

The Istanbul Medical Chamber (İTO) has announced that it has received numerous applications and complaints in recent months regarding practices that negatively affect the health rights of detainees and convicts in prisons. In a written statement, the Chamber brought to the agenda the living conditions in prisons known as "well-type" (kuyu tipi), problems reported in accessing medication, and the practice of medical examinations performed while handcuffed.

The statement emphasized that health is one of the most fundamental human rights and that individuals deprived of their liberty must also benefit from this right equally. The İTO stated that it considers the applications submitted to them important for informing the public and protecting the health rights of prisoners.

According to the applications reported by the İTO, it was stated that in "well-type" prisons, prisoners are allowed out for ventilation for an average of only two hours a day, that living spaces are extremely small, and that they are kept alone in areas of approximately 8 square meters. The Chamber noted that these conditions should be seriously evaluated in terms of the right to a life consistent with human dignity and the right to health.

ATTENTION DRAWN TO HUNGER STRIKES

The statement indicated that they have also received allegations that pressure in prisons is increasing and that some prisoners are being subjected to ill-treatment and torture. Information was shared that six prisoners are on hunger strike at the Marmara L-Type Prison due to these conditions.

The İTO announced that Tacettin Erol Şahin and Cem Dursun have been on hunger strike for 125 days, and that Cemil Kurt, Emircan Yazı, Hasan Basri Yıldız, and Engin Ateş are on an indefinite hunger strike. Emphasizing that hunger strikes carry serious and life-threatening risks, the statement noted that the health status of those on strike should be regularly evaluated by an independent medical committee.

The applications also reported that at times, prisoners have been unable to access the medication they need to take regularly for long periods. Stating that the disruption of treatments that could lead to serious consequences if not used regularly is unacceptable, the İTO assessed that "No detainee or convict should be allowed to have their health condition deteriorate due to prison conditions."

Medical examinations while handcuffed and the presence of law enforcement officers in the room during examinations were also among the prominent topics in the statement. Attention was drawn to allegations that prisoners who do not accept handcuffed examinations face practices such as visitation bans or transfers to other prisons.

The Istanbul Medical Chamber emphasized that detainees and convicts should be examined under conditions that respect their privacy, are consistent with human dignity, and meet the requirements of the medical profession, just like other patients. The statement expressed that security justifications cannot be used as a basis for violating patient privacy and the professional independence of physicians.

News Source: 12punto