ANKARA – DEM Party deputies Newroz Uysal Aslan and Ferit Şenyaşar visited Hilvan 1 and 2 T-Type Prisons on July 28 and reported systematic human rights violations to the Parliamentary Human Rights Commission (IHIK), calling for an on-site investigation.
During their visits, the deputies met with prisoners and documented numerous violations including poor living conditions, restricted access to healthcare, arbitrary decisions by prison administration and monitoring boards, religious coercion, and violations of personal space.
HILVAN 1 T-TYPE PRISON
The report highlights severe healthcare shortcomings, with only one family doctor and one nurse serving all inmates, forcing prisoners to wait in line and access medical care on a day-to-day basis. Political prisoners are reportedly transported alongside detainees linked to ISIS and are subjected to handcuffed medical examinations.
Severely ill inmates such as Şervan Muhammed, suffering from heart issues, and Ayhan Bayar, an elderly prisoner with multiple chronic diseases and nutritional difficulties, are among those in critical condition. Requests for personal hygiene services like haircuts are denied on the grounds of political status, and appeals to the prison administration remain unanswered.
Religious pressure is also reported, with inmates forced to memorize religious questions during monitoring board meetings, infringing upon constitutional freedom of belief.
The prison’s Administrative and Monitoring Board is accused of arbitrary rulings, notably delaying the release of prisoners such as Bayar and Suat Berlek without legal justification.
HILVAN 2 T-TYPE PRISON
Similar violations were documented at Hilvan 2, including automatic denial of parole requests citing “biased ward” reasons and arbitrary extensions of sentences, as in the case of İrfan Kiper.
Healthcare access is similarly restricted, with inmates taken to the infirmary only once a week and referral appointments often delayed. Four severely ill prisoners, including victims of torture and those with chronic diseases, face serious health risks.
MISTREATMENT AND RESTRICTIONS
Reports also detail insufficient outdoor time during summer, denial of requested extensions, and incidents of physical abuse during court transfers. Social and cultural rights are limited; publications like Jineoloji magazine are banned, and no social activities have taken place for over two years. Access to requested TV channels is also blocked.
CALLS FOR ACTION
The deputies’ application to IHIK urges an official investigation and a statement from the Ministry of Justice. The demands include:
“*Daily, rather than weekly, access to healthcare services
*Faster hospital referrals and special protocols for disabled and chronically ill inmates
*An end to handcuffed medical examinations and unsafe transport conditions
*Immediate initiation of sentence postponements for seriously ill prisoners
*Non-discriminatory access to personal hygiene and care services
*Strengthened oversight and response mechanisms for inmate requests
*Extension of outdoor time during summer until sunset
*Unrestricted access to clean water and improved living conditions
*Objective evaluation of parole requests and ending arbitrary sentence extensions
*Immediate cessation of faith-based coercion and religious questioning
*Independent investigation of abuse allegations and disciplinary action against responsible personnel
*Removal of publication bans and access to women-focused materials
*Resumption of regular social, cultural, and educational activities
*The report stresses the urgent need to end ongoing rights violations in Hilvan prisons.”