Hunger strikes in Turkish prisons

Once again, political prisoners in Turkey have gone on hunger strike against the unbearable conditions of detention.

In the E-type prison in Mardin, Elif Deniz, Ronahi Sırdaş and Melek Evren have started an indefinite hunger strike against the violations they have suffered. The new director of the prison demands a military roll call in the yard from the prisoners. The three women want to defend themselves against this and also protest against imposed solitary confinement sentences.

Also in the T-type prison in Urfa-Hilvan a group of five prisoners is on hunger strike. Serhat Bulut told his relatives on the phone that the indefinite hunger strike action is directed against the restriction of prisoners’ rights, which has drastically intensified since the Coronavirus pandemic outbreak. The prisoners are demanding the right to communication, sport, social activities and above all health care. Besides Serhat Bulut, Emrullah Oruc, Ilyas Doğan, Cafer Sabır and Kasım Karataş have been on hunger strike since Wednesday.

According to Bulut, the institution’s management has refused to talk with the inmates joining the strike. The political prisoners announce that they will continue their action until their demands are met. If necessary, more prisoners will join them, according to Serhat Bulut.

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