Ill prisoner’s situation on parliamentary agenda
Green Left Party MP Serhat Eren, has submitted a parliaentary question regarding the health condition of seriously ill inmate Cemal Tanhan, who in Bolu F Type Closed Prison, and has applied to the Parliament’s Human Rights Examination Commission.
According to the recent report by the Human Rights Association (İHD), there are currently 1,517 sick prisoners in Turkish prisons, 651 of whom are seriously ill. In 2022, at least 81 prisoners lost their lives in prisons.
The petitions regarding Tanhan, who has been in prison for 29 years, included the following information:
"The health condition of seriously ill inmate Cemal Tanhan has been deteriorating since last year. Tanhan applied to the prison doctor to have blood tests done, but he could only provide a sample four months later.
The test results showed abnormalities in several values, and due to AST and ALT levels being in the 15s, he was directly sent to the hospital. During that period, abnormal swelling began all over his body starting from his legs. The doctor referred him to the cardiology department due to the swelling, and he spent two days in intensive care. Afterward, he was discharged with the condition of receiving treatment with the prescribed medications.
The hospital's report diagnosed him with "Pulmonary Hypertension," a type of high blood pressure that affects the veins in the lungs and the right chambers of the heart.
In addition to the problems in the heart, kidneys, and gallbladder, he also suffers from diabetes, high cholesterol, anemia, reflux, and eye diseases. Despite all these conditions, a report was issued stating that he can sustain his life alone in correctional facilities, but he stated that in recent months, he would not be able to meet any of his needs without the help of his fellow inmates."
Visit request to the prison
In his application to the TBMM Human Rights Examination Commission, Serhat Eren listed the following demands:
- Planning a visit to Bolu F Type Closed Prison to examine the conditions of the sick inmate,
- Negotiating with the institution administration for the quick transfer of the sick inmate to the infirmary and hospital when necessary,
- Negotiating with Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the postponement of the sick inmate's sentence,
- Initiating efforts to amend Article 16, paragraph 3 of the Execution Law to change the phrase "upon a report issued by the Health Boards of full-fledged hospitals designated by the Ministry of Justice or by the Ministry of Justice itself" to "upon a report issued by the Health Boards of full-fledged hospitals designated by the Ministry of Justice or by the Ministry of Justice itself," for the sick inmates' conditions to be taken into account,
- Initiating efforts to establish a special unit through joint work by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health to determine the number of seriously ill inmates, their health conditions, and the processes for postponement of their sentences in all prisons. (AS/VK)