NEWS DESK - The International Union for the Protection of Rights and Freedoms (AIDL) promoted a conference titles ”Prisons in Turkey, Human Rights and Torture crimes" at the United Nations (UN) building in Geneva.
HDP former Şırnak MP Faysal Saryıldız, Sultan Toptaş from the Kurdish Women's Movement and HDP European Spokesperson Eyüp Doru joined the conference.
HDP Şırnak deputy Faisal old Sariyildiz described the situation of human rights in Turkey since the ‘90s. Sariyildiz underlined that the current crisis in the Middle East was deepened by the working together of Turkey and Salafist groups.
Speaking about his own experience of repression, Sariyildiz underlined that especially since the 7 June 2015 attacks against democratically elected politicians increased.
Cities were imposed curfews, reminded the former HDP deputy, and scores of people were killed by security forces, like in the case of Cizre and Sur siege.
Sariyildiz also underlined that after the military coup attempt the regime has targeted journalists, human rights activists and academics. Sariyildiz noted that Turkey's international human rights law and humanitarian law were violated.
“The people’s response to the crisis was shown in the recent local elections. - said the former MP - This reveals the need for a different political will and program. At this point, the HDP third way policy is gaining great importance. Everyone can express themselves freely, we will continue to fight for a democratic Turkey.”
Describing the situation in Turkey jails, Sultan Toptaş of the Kurdish Women's Movement began her speech reminding of her own experience in jail. She was in prison for 10 years. “While 59 thousand 429 people were detained in 2002, this number increased fourfold in 2018. And now the current government will add 53 more prison to the 384 already existing.”
In Turkey's state prisons there are currently 334 thousand prisoners, including 458 in very bad health conditions. Only last year, 40 prisoners died.
HDP European spokesman Eyup reminded that the HDP is the third bigger party in Turkey. “The problem with the AKP and Erdogan regime is that they want to get rid of the opposition. So they consider anyone opposing their policies as enemy and go on persecuting it.”
Dora reminded also of the decision taken by the Council of Europe and European Union and said the UN should also take similar decision condemning Turkey for its ignoring international legislation.
AIDL spokesperson and chair of the conference, Ali Musa condemned the gross human rights violations taking place in Turkey in his speech and said they would follow the process in Turkey.