Seven Turkish hunger strikers believed to be dead
Via John O | 19.12.2000 14:58
Seven Turkish hunger strikers believed to be dead
19 December 00
The Campaign For Human Rights In Turkey Urgent Appeal
Seven Turkish hunger strikers believed to be dead as Tension Rises As Gendarme Attacks Hunger Strikers In Prisons
In the early hours of the morning the gendarme in Turkey has started an "operation" in all 20 prisons where more than 200 political prisoners are on indefinite hunger strike against isolation cells and for better prison conditions. 31 of these prisoners are on their 61st day of hunger strike and their health is in a very critical condition. Most of them are unable to protect themselves or move their bodies. The operation has taken place in 11 prisons so far. Ulucanlar (in Ankara) was the first prison where the gendarme went and took all 10 female prisoners in hunger strike to the hospital along with 3 other hunger strikers from other prisons by force. The prisoners are all refusing medical intervention.
It has been reported that two hunger strikers on their 61st day of hunger strike in Bayrampasa Prison have burnt themselves to death and a further 5 prisoners died during the clashes with the gendarme. Whilst the "operation" is taking place, the police have arrested large numbers of people who are protesting against isolation cells and against the gendarme attack.
It is very difficult to get an accurate picture of the state of the prisoners, as there is media censorship. However it has been reported that in all the prisons with industrial machinery a hole is made through the prison walls and gas bombs are thrown into the prisons. Continual gunshots are being heard from a distance.
The Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit, in his press conference early this morning, has announced that these prisoners will be placed in isolation cells immediately, contradicting another government statement made a few days ago that the implementation of isolation cells would be postponed. Prisoners who are taken out from various prisons, including those who are not on hunger strike, are being taken to the newly built isolation cell type prison.
In these critical days of the hunger strike the political prisoners are under attack by the government and its gendarme. Many hunger strikers’ health conditions are very critical and they are close to death. Therefore it is a matter of great urgency to protest to the following institutions against the attacks on prisoners and attempts to enforce so-called medical intervention.
Please send letters of protest to the following institutions. Please also fax a copy of your letter for our attention on 020 7275 7245.
President: Ahmet Necdet Sezer 00 90 312 427 1330
Prime Minister: Bulent Ecevit 00 90 312 417 5743
Justice Minister: Hikmet Sami Turk 00 90 312 417 3854
Home Secretary: Sadettin Tantan 00 90 312 418 1795
19 December 00
The Campaign For Human Rights In Turkey Urgent Appeal
Seven Turkish hunger strikers believed to be dead as Tension Rises As Gendarme Attacks Hunger Strikers In Prisons
In the early hours of the morning the gendarme in Turkey has started an "operation" in all 20 prisons where more than 200 political prisoners are on indefinite hunger strike against isolation cells and for better prison conditions. 31 of these prisoners are on their 61st day of hunger strike and their health is in a very critical condition. Most of them are unable to protect themselves or move their bodies. The operation has taken place in 11 prisons so far. Ulucanlar (in Ankara) was the first prison where the gendarme went and took all 10 female prisoners in hunger strike to the hospital along with 3 other hunger strikers from other prisons by force. The prisoners are all refusing medical intervention.
It has been reported that two hunger strikers on their 61st day of hunger strike in Bayrampasa Prison have burnt themselves to death and a further 5 prisoners died during the clashes with the gendarme. Whilst the "operation" is taking place, the police have arrested large numbers of people who are protesting against isolation cells and against the gendarme attack.
It is very difficult to get an accurate picture of the state of the prisoners, as there is media censorship. However it has been reported that in all the prisons with industrial machinery a hole is made through the prison walls and gas bombs are thrown into the prisons. Continual gunshots are being heard from a distance.
The Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit, in his press conference early this morning, has announced that these prisoners will be placed in isolation cells immediately, contradicting another government statement made a few days ago that the implementation of isolation cells would be postponed. Prisoners who are taken out from various prisons, including those who are not on hunger strike, are being taken to the newly built isolation cell type prison.
In these critical days of the hunger strike the political prisoners are under attack by the government and its gendarme. Many hunger strikers’ health conditions are very critical and they are close to death. Therefore it is a matter of great urgency to protest to the following institutions against the attacks on prisoners and attempts to enforce so-called medical intervention.
Please send letters of protest to the following institutions. Please also fax a copy of your letter for our attention on 020 7275 7245.
President: Ahmet Necdet Sezer 00 90 312 427 1330
Prime Minister: Bulent Ecevit 00 90 312 417 5743
Justice Minister: Hikmet Sami Turk 00 90 312 417 3854
Home Secretary: Sadettin Tantan 00 90 312 418 1795
Via John O
e-mail:
campaign@daymer.org