Report on rights violations in prisons in earthquake regions

Photo: AA/File

Click to read the article in Turkish

The Human Rights Association (İHD) has released a report documenting rights violations in prisons in the regions affected by the powerful earthquakes on February 6.

Three prisoners were killed and nine others were injured during the security forces' response to the incidents in the Hatay Type-T Prison following the quakes, the report notes, citing a February 9 statement from the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses.

Also, hundreds of prisoners in the region were transferred to prisons in other cities starting from the second day of the quakes. Accordingly, at least 350 prisoners were transferred from the Hatay Type-T Prison, at least 149 prisoners were transferred from the Malatya Type-E Closed Prison, and at least 47 prisoners were transferred from the Türkoğlu Type-L Closed Prison in Elbistan, Maraş.

The transfers were carried out without informing the prisoners' families, the İHD underlined.

"The incidents that happened in the prisons of Malatya, Maraş and Hatay are of nature violating the protection of the right to life and the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment. Prison administrations must absolutely protect the prisoners' right to life," said the association.

"Because of their families living in the earthquake regions and affected by the earthquake, the prisoners should also be considered earthquake survivors, and their needs that their families cannot meet should be met by administrations.

"The prisoners who have been transferred to prisons far from their families should be transferred to closer locations.

"The prisoners transferred from the earthquake region should be provided with psycho-social support in the places they are transferred to.

"All hygiene materials and pad needs of female prisoners should be met free of charge."

The earthquakes

On February 6, two earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.7 and 7.6 struck the southern city of Maraş.

The quakes caused destruction in 10 cities in Turkey's south and southeast, as well as Syria's northern parts, where over 5,000 people were killed.

The official death toll from the quakes stands at over 48,000 and is expected to increase further, as over 227,000 buildings were completely destroyed or severely damaged, according to government figures. (AS/VK)