EMEP MP Iskender Bayhan has drawn attention to the situation of socialist prisoners who were transferred from Silivri Prison to high-security prisons, including those categorized as “well-type” prisons, and are being held under aggravated life imprisonment conditions. Bayhan noted that in some prisons, socialists are subjected to the torture of strip searches, and also stated that the ill prisoner Uğur Ok has not been given his medication. Bayhan submitted a parliamentary question to Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç regarding the torture of socialist prisoners.
Members and leaders of the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), Socialist Youth Associations Federation (SGDF), and Socialist Women’s Assemblies (SKM) had initiated a hunger strike to protest the isolation torture in well-type prisons. While the socialists ended their 5-day hunger strike, EMEP Istanbul MP Iskender Bayhan submitted a parliamentary question for Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç to respond.
Drawing Attention to the Hunger Strike
Bayhan recalled that out of 41 people detained on January 21, 2025, 34 were arrested on January 24 and sent to Marmara Closed Prison. He noted that despite not requesting a transfer on March 8, the socialists were exiled to seven different prisons. During this process, 12 prisoners were sent to high-security prisons (YGC) where conditions specific to aggravated life imprisonment are applied. Bayhan emphasized that those held in YGC-type prisons are deprived of basic human rights such as ventilation, reading, and exercise, and are subjected to systematic isolation. Arbitrary restrictions have been imposed on family and lawyer visits, and some prisoners have been threatened and harassed by guards. Bayhan pointed out that among the prisoners who started a hunger strike on March 24, there are those with severe illnesses.
Violation of the Right to a Fair Trial
Bayhan’s parliamentary question highlighted that Okan Danacı, former Co-Chair of the SGDF, is being systematically subjected to psychological pressure in a solitary cell, with guards knocking on his door 25-30 times a day to break his will, and restrictions have been placed on his family visits. Bayhan questioned the legal basis for the transfers, which restrict the prisoners’ right to defense, despite Article 53 of Law No. 5275 on the Execution of Sentences and Security Measures stipulating that prisoners should be placed in prisons as close as possible. He noted that transferring detainees to provinces other than Istanbul, despite their defense being carried out by lawyers registered with the Istanbul Bar Association, violates their right to a fair trial.
Drawing Attention to the Condition of Sick Prisoner Uğur Ok
Bayhan pointed out that in some prisons, prisoners are subjected to forced strip searches and standing counts. He shared that Uğur Ok, who suffers from a chronic lung disease and was sent to Sincan No. 1 High-Security Prison, has faced a deterioration in his health due to delays in receiving his medication. He questioned whether any measures have been taken in this regard.
Questions Submitted by EMEP MP Iskender Bayhan
Here are the questions submitted by Bayhan to Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç:
1. What is the justification for transferring 34 detainees, arrested as part of an investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, to prisons in different provinces of Turkey on March 8, 2025, without any transfer request and without informing their lawyers?
2. On what legal grounds were these transfers made, contrary to Article 53 of Law No. 5275, which states that prisoners should be placed in the closest penal institutions?
3. Has your Ministry conducted an evaluation on whether these transfers violate the detainees’ right to a fair trial, considering the physical distance and prison conditions?
4. Does transferring detainees defended by lawyers from the Istanbul Bar Association to prisons outside Istanbul restrict their right to defense? Has this issue been evaluated in terms of its impact on the right to a fair trial?
5. Is it lawful to send detainees, for whom indictments have not yet been prepared, to YGC-type prisons known for their conditions specific to convicts? Has your Ministry conducted an internal audit on this matter?
6. Are the conditions in Çorlu Karatepe and Sincan No. 1 and 2 YGC Prisons, where detainees are held in solitary, unventilated rooms and allowed ventilation for only 1.5–2 hours, in compliance with human rights? Has an investigation been initiated into these allegations?
7. Are the allegations of strip searches, forced searches, and standing counts during the transfer process in some prisons accurate? Has an investigation been launched into these claims?
8. Is your Ministry planning to annul these transfers and return the detainees to prisons appropriate to their judicial jurisdictions?
9. Has an investigation or inquiry been initiated regarding the allegations that Okan Danacı is being harassed by guards in his solitary cell, with his door being knocked on 25–30 times a day and his family visits restricted?
10. Does your Ministry possess an up-to-date health report or monitoring data on the health status of detainees who began a hunger strike on March 24, 2025? Are there any medical interventions or improvements in prison conditions planned for seriously ill prisoners?
11. Is it true that Uğur Ok’s health has deteriorated due to delayed medication after being transferred to Sincan No. 1 YGC? Is there a plan for improvement in this regard?
12. Are the health conditions of hunger-striking prisoners being regularly monitored? Who conducts these health checks if they are being performed?
13. Will your Ministry allow delegations from the Human Rights Association, the Turkish Medical Association, the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, and MPs to visit prisons to monitor and evaluate the hunger strikes?
14. Are basic supports such as sugar, salt, and lemon being provided to ensure the fluid intake of hunger-striking prisoners? Do they have access to clean water, hygiene materials, and rest areas?
15. Has your Ministry received any information or complaints about pressure, disciplinary punishments, solitary confinement, or threats against hunger-striking prisoners? Have any investigations been launched into these allegations?
