Human Rights Association (IHD) made statements in Istanbul and Ankara today to draw attention to the situation of ill prisoners. IHD Istanbul Branch Prison Commission organised the 663rd of its weekly protest in front of the association's building in Beyoğlu. 

 

This week's protest drew attention to the health condition of Melek Akgün, a 58-year-old 82 per cent disabled and seriously ill prisoner in Kayseri Bünyan Women's Closed Prison.

 

IHD Prison Commission member Taylan Bekin stated that Melek akgün has heart failure, chronic obstructive polmonary disease (COPD), chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, advanced osteoporosis, slipped vertebrae, hearing and vision loss. Bekin stated that Melek Akgün needs treatment and care and that she lives her life with the help of others.

 

The message sent by Melek Akgün's daughter to the commission was also read. 

 

"My mother is 58 years old, mother of 3 children, grandmother of 3 children. On 6 February 2024, she was arrested on false accusations. She was first taken to Silivri Prison. After being held there for a while, she was transferred to Kayseri-Bünyan Women's Closed Prison, which is very far from her family, against her own request. For this reason, it is difficult for us to go to her visits regularly. My mother has an 82 percent disability report. She needs to be constantly hospitalised. She is a heart patient and has stents in her hears vessels. I was also told that she has middle aortic vascular insufficiency. She has advanced osteoporosis, even if she just stumbles, there is a danger of her bones breaking. Because of COPD and rehumatoid arthritis, she needs to live in a damp and airy environment. She has chronic kidney disease, her kidneys are working at 37 percent. If she continues to stay in prison conditions, her kidneys will completely fail. My mother is a patient who needs dietary nutrition, healthy care and constant follow-up. After her arrest, her illnesses have progressed further. She has balance problems and can only stand with support. She said that she could not go to the phone booth by herself to use her weekly phone allowance, and that the guards took her arm and helped her walk. My mother is constantly taken to hospital because of her illnesses. My mother's trial is ongoing and it is possible for her to be tried without remand. We want her to be released as soon as possible."

 

ANKARA 

 

Freedom for Ill Prisoners Initiative made a statement in Sakarya Street on the 535th week of their protests. Ömer Faruk Yazmacı, Co-chair of IHD Ankara Branch, drew attention to the situation of Emrah Abi, a seriously ill prisoner held in Antalya High Security Closed Prison. 

 

Stating that Abi, who has been suffering from chronic heart disease since his childhood, underwent open heart surgery on 20 May 2002 at Van High Specalised Hospital, Yazmacı said: "During the difficult operation, his aortic heart valve was replaced and a platinum heart valve was implanted. The other heart valve, the mitral valve, also has mitral stenosis, mitral insufficiency and mild Tricuspid. After the operation, he was started on Coumadin, a lifelong medication. The dose of the drug should be adjusted routinely by checking blood values."

 

55 PERCENT DISABILITY REPORT

 

Yazmacı pointed out that if the prisoner Abi's controls and treatment are not carried out, blood clots may occur in his blood and he may be paralysed. 

 

"He has a 55 percent diability report due to heart disease. After he entered the prison, diseases such as herniated disc, cervical hernia, joint pain, calcification, meniscus, ulcer, have also started and he has been taking medication for years due to these diseases. Both the architectural structure and the conditions of the prison he is currently in have a negative impact on his current state of health, he is only allowed to ventilate for 1.5 hours a day, he spends all hours of the day closed in the room, he stays with 3 ill friends in a small room of 15-20 square metres, and they have to dry their clothes in the room since there is no ventilation," he said. 

 

Sharing the information that Abi was transferred to different prisons against his will within 13 years, Yazmacı continued as follows: "He has not been transferred to Van, where his family resides, or to nearby prisons despite his long-standing request for transfer. Abi, who did not receive an answer to his petitions to be close to his mother who has cancer, learned that his mother died on 25 October 2024. We demand that the necessary initiatives be taken to postpone Emrah Abi's execution due to his severe heart diseases, that his controls be carried out without interruption, and that he be transferred to a place close to his family during this process due to his father's illness and for his health."