Mehmet Türkmen, General President of BİRTEK-SEN, has been subjected to ill-treatment and placed in solitary confinement at Gaziantep E Tipi Cezaevi after speaking out about prison conditions and the situation of sick detainees.
Türkmen was arrested on 16 March on charges of “publicly spreading misleading information” following remarks he made during a press statement in support of Sırma Halı workers protesting unpaid wages in Antep. Since his detention, he has drawn attention to what he describes as severe rights violations inside the prison.
According to reports, Türkmen was forcibly taken to a cell by chief wardens after attempting to raise concerns about the deteriorating health of fellow prisoners. Witnesses state that his arm was twisted behind his back and that he was subjected to verbal abuse before being placed in solitary confinement.
In a letter sent from prison, Türkmen described dire conditions, particularly highlighting the case of a seriously ill detainee, Mehmet Çıtlak. He reported that Çıtlak, who entered prison in relatively good health, has rapidly deteriorated over the past 40 days and is now bedridden.
Türkmen stated that hospital transfers are significantly delayed, sometimes by over a month. Essential medications are not being provided, even when prescribed. Prisoners are forced to sleep on the floor in cold conditions. Basic hygiene and healthcare access are severely lacking. He noted also that that Çıtlak has lost around 20 kilograms in one month and is unable to meet even his most basic needs without assistance.
Türkmen emphasised that repeated appeals to prison authorities and prosecutors have gone unanswered. “In conditions where even the most basic human needs are not met, it is clear that there is no treatment compatible with human dignity,” he wrote, calling on the public to raise awareness.
Türkmen’s lawyer, Esmer Özer, confirmed that the incident occurred when Türkmen attempted to explain a fellow prisoner’s condition to wardens during a morning inspection. Instead of addressing the issue, officials allegedly responded with force and intimidation.
In a strongly worded statement, BİRTEK-SEN condemned the treatment, asking: “Are you running a prison or a torture centre?” The union announced that it will file criminal complaints against those responsible.
The statement further described systemic overcrowding, with more than 60 prisoners held in cells designed for 20–25 people, and conditions so poor that even healthy detainees become ill.
Türkmen’s punishment, the union stressed, came solely because he demanded access to healthcare for a sick prisoner.
This case highlights broader concerns about prison conditions in Turkey, particularly regarding access to healthcare and the treatment of political detainees and trade unionists.
Supporters and rights advocates are calling for:
Immediate investigation into allegations of abuse
access to healthcare for all prisoners.
An end to punitive measures against those raising legitimate concerns.
Türkmen’s case has become a symbol of the wider struggle for dignity, justice, and workers’ rights in Turkey.
