The Government remains seriously concerned about the situation in Turkish prisons. Issues concerning overcrowding, lack of proper sanitation and allegations of serious human rights abuses have been regularly raised by humanitarian organisations. The current hunger strike by prisoners has highlighted the need for urgent reform of the prisons and the whole penal system.
In recent days another prisoner has died from hunger strike, bringing the death toll to 25. The Irish ambassador to Turkey has raised the matter of the hunger strikes at the highest level, including with Foreign Minister Cem. On that occasion the ambassador strongly reiterated the Government's appeal of 25 April to the Turkish Government to continue its efforts to address existing problems and prevent further tragic loss of life. Ireland has also called on the prisoners and their representatives to participate as a matter of urgency in efforts to seek a solution.
Ireland is working closely with our European partners on the issue. The European Union has, from the outset, been actively involved in encouraging efforts to bring the hunger strikes to an end and EU representatives on the ground in Ankara are constantly in touch with the Turkish authorities in that regard. Most recently, at the EU Association Council with Turkey, held in Brussels on 26 June, the Union stressed to Foreign Minister Cem the priority it attached to a just and humanitarian resolution of the hunger strike issues and the general reform of the prison system in Turkey.
The hunger strike was initiated as part of a protest which began last October against the introduction of new prisons – so-called F-type prisons – in which prisoners are accommodated in cells for three or four inmates, rather than in dormitories – so-called E-type prisons. The strikers have also demanded amendment of the anti-terrorism law concerning the rights of association of prisoners within the jails.
The hunger strikers are divided by themselves and human rights NGOs into two groups – those who refuse to eat solid food, but continue to consume sugared water and vitamin tablets, and those who are described as being on a death fast. It is estimated that 200 people are on death fast in 30 prisons. Over 500 people are on hunger strike in sympathy. Most of the striking prisoners have been convicted of offences under antiterrorism legislation.
According to Turkey, the main aim of the move to F-type units is to allow the authorities to regain control in prisons from criminal and other groups. It is believed that control had largely been lost because of the dormitory-style accommodation prevalent in Turkish prisons. This allowed group leaders to establish and maintain group discipline, often through the use of torture and terror. However, prisoners and human rights organisations have protested that the cellular structure of the new prisons might facilitate prisoner abuse through isolation and an enhanced risk of torture.
The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture, which has expertise in this area, has been working with the Turkish Government and the prisoners in the search for a resolution of the prisons dispute. It has made several visits to Turkey to visit the prisons and meet the Turkish authorities and prisoners. It is providing detailed advice, both in relation to the management of F-type prisons and regarding the action which needs to be taken to gain the confidence of prisoners and create the conditions for the crisis to end.
The Committee for the Prevention of Torture has stated that there is no objection in principle to the move towards smaller living units, always provided that inmates have the opportunity to spend a reasonable part of each day outside their living units engaged in purposeful activities. It has stressed that the introduction of smaller living units for prisoners must under no circumstances be allowed to lead to a generalised system of small group isolation.
However, the committee has made very clear that provided prisoners are not subject to a system of isolation and offered a satisfactory programme of activities in communal facilities outside their cells and living units, conditions of detention in F-type prisons will be in conformity with European standards. In this regard, the committee has highlighted the need for the Turkish authorities to address issues surrounding communal activities, independent monitoring, complaints of ill-treatment and, where appropriate, the prosecution of state officials. The committee is closely monitoring the steps being taken by Turkey regarding its recommendations.
A delegation from the European Parliament led by Daniel Cohn-Bendit travelled to Turkey at the beginning of June to visit the prisons and meet with the Turkish authorities and prisoners. The delegation described the conditions in the E – type dormitory style prisons as inhuman and unsanitary and considered the move to more modern conditions was long overdue. It found the buildings in the F – type prisons in good condition with good levels of cleanliness and lighting.
However, the common facilities foreseen to permit prisoners to undertake out-of-cell activities and ensure there would be no sense of isolation, were not ready. The delegation stressed to the Turkish authorities that every effort must be made to provide these as a matter of urgency. Other recommendations made by the delegation included the need for a more reliable complaints procedure to be set up, greater social contact between prisoners and prisoners to be allowed visits from friends and not just family. However, having seen the conditions in F-type prisons the delegation indicated that it did not consider there was sufficient reason to continue the death fasts.
Several steps have already been taken by Turkey to deal with the recommendations of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and the European Parliament.
