‘Prison Capacity Exceeded, 3 People Lie in 1 Bed’

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Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, the Kocaeli MP of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and a member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) Human Rights Investigation Commission, has brought the rights violations committed in Sivas Type E Closed Prison to parliamentary agenda.

Gergerlioğlu has filed a petition to the Human Rights Investigation Commission about the rights violations and submitted a parliamentary inquiry to be responded by Minister of Justice Abdülhamit Gül.

"22 people stay in an 8-person ward"

In their letter to Gergerlioğlu, inmates held in Sivas Type E Closed Prison have stated:

"In the women's ward no. B-9, 22 people stay in an 8-person ward, no new wards are opened despite our requests. Three people share the same bed or sleep on the floor.

"Water runs for only half an hour a day. We are deprived of running water for the rest of the day.

"They cut the water in toilets and bathrooms as well. Since the water is taken from a well, there are insects in it. They do not disinfect it despite our complaints.

"The prison administration also subjects the inmates to psychological pressure."

"Has the ministry launched an investigation?"

In his parliamentary inquiry addressed to Minister of Justice Abdülhamit Gül, Gergerlioğlu has asked whether any investigations have been launched into the complaints of the inmates held in Sivas Type E Closed Prison.

Referring to the Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights about torture and maltreatment, Gergerlioğlu has also asked what measures have been taken by the ministry to prevent these offences and how many investigations have been launched against prison personnel over the last five years due to related allegations. (AS/SD)