Press Release
IHD Report Reveals Alarming Health Crisis Among Prisoners in Turkey: 1,412 Sick, 335 in Serious Condition
01.05.08.
The Central Prisons Commission of the Human Rights Association (IHD) has released a report highlighting a severe health crisis among prisoners in Turkey. It reveals that at least 1,412 prisoners are ill, with 335 in serious condition, emphasizing the urgent need for reform from the Ministry of Justice.
IHD Co-Chair Hüseyin Küçükbalaban stressed the gravity of the situation at a press conference in Diyarbakır, stating, “Prisons are among the places with the most severe human rights violations in this country.” He called for immediate legislative reforms, asserting that “the first step toward resolving the Kurdish question must be the release of sick prisoners.”
Küçükbalaban also referenced Abdullah Öcalan’s recent “Call for Peace and a Democratic Society,” urging the state to address the devastation caused by decades of conflict. He expressed hope that the report would guide politicians, stating, “The destruction caused by war is immense, and the state must show goodwill.”
The report, based on information from lawyer-client meetings, family applications, and prison visits, indicates that among the 1,412 sick prisoners, 161 are women and 1,251 are men. Notably, 230 prisoners cannot sustain their lives independently, and 105 require constant support. Additionally, 188 prisoners need continuous medical supervision.
IHD Executive Board Member Nuray Çevirmen and Central Prisons Commission Member Yusuf Erdoğan presented the findings, which include various health issues such as cancer and mental health disorders. Küçükbalaban urged the Ministry of Justice to take the findings seriously and present a legislative reform package to parliament, including the release of sick prisoners and the guarantee of the “right to hope.”
As of April 7, 2025, Turkey’s prisons hold 403,060 detainees and convicts across 395 facilities. The IHD’s report highlights the dire need for medical attention and humane treatment for prisoners.
The IHD calls on the government to take immediate action to address these human rights violations and ensure the health and well-being of all prisoners.
About IHD:
The Human Rights Association (IHD) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights in Turkey through research, advocacy, and public awareness campaigns.
