Prisoners in Van are at ‘high risk’ during the coronavirus pandemic

The Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) has highlighted a report’s findings that suggest that prisoners in Van are at ‘high risk’ during the coronavirus pandemic.

The report revealed distressing conditions in the prisons in Van, where prisoners fall in ‘at-risk’ categories, especially where prisoners facing 14-day isolation periods find it can be increased to three months.

The report is based on interviews with prisoners from Van’s ‘T’, ‘F’, ‘M’ and ‘High Security’ prisons. Many non-governmental organizations supported the report’s findings.

The Van branch executive for the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), Ekin Yeter, discussed the report’s findings. Yeter stated that it is evident that social distancing and ‘hygiene rules’ are not being respected by the authorities.

These rules and guidelines are being ignored in the vehicles that are used to transport families and lawyers inside the prison campuses where Van ‘T’ and ‘F’-Type prisons are located. Yeter drew attention to the report’s findings that the sinks in the prisons were dirty and there were no supplies of soap made available to the prisoners.

Yeter stated that the measures being taken by the authorities to protect prisoners’ health against the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic were clearly insufficient. The report highlighted severe health concerns during this pandemic period – overcrowding, a lack of basic hygiene provision and protection, inadequate health service provision and limited access to health services. Non-Government Organisations (NGO’s) and their representatives are demanding access to information and transparency regarding these prison concerns.

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), Democratic Regions Party (DBP) and NGO representatives attended a meeting organised by the Association for Solidarity with Detainees and Families (TUHA-DER).