Forcible intervention to hunger strike is a crime!

Today human rights and legal associations in Turkey reacted over the forcible transfer of death fast resister Serkan Onur Yilmaz to a hospital yesterday night from Bolu F Type prison. They warn of a forced medical intervention..

It is emphasised that Serkan Onur Yilmaz was fully conscious when he was taken to hospital. His demand is that his friends be transferred from inhumane isolation prisons described as “pit-type prisons” to normal penal institutions. He is strictly opposed to any intervention in his hunger strike protest. Any intervention would be a fatal violation of relevant laws prohibiting force-feeding and an unacceptable attack on his human dignity. Furthermore, methods such as force-feeding have caused permanent damage to hunger strikers in the past.

Lawyers and the human rights association for political prisoners TAYAD have reacted immediately when they were informed about the involuntary abduction of Serkan Onur Yilmaz…

TAYAD (SOLIDARITY ASSOCIATION OF PRISONER’S FAMILIES):

“SERKAN ONUR YILMAZ WAS FORCIBLY TAKEN TO HOSPITAL LAST NIGHT FOR FORCIBLE INTERVENTION!

Those who ignore the demands of the resistance want to murder Serkan!

Serkan Onur Yılmaz is our honour!

Forced intervention is murder!”

PEOPLE’S LAW OFFICE (HALKIN HUKUK BÜROSU)

“It was reported that Serkan Onur Yılmaz, who was on his 318th day of a hunger strike, had been taken to hospital. Our client’s demands are reasonable. Refusing to accept these demands and forcibly intervening with Serkan Onur Yılmaz could result in him being disabled or killed...

We appeal to the Ministry of Justice: do not become the murderer of our client, accept Serkan Onur Yılmaz’s demands! Transfer the prisoners from Antalya YGC Kuyu Type Prison!“

PROGRESSIVE LAWYER’S ASSOCIATION (CHD) – PRISON COMMISSION

“We have received information that Serkan Onur Yılmaz, who is on day 318 of his hunger strike demanding the closure of pit-type prisons, was forcibly taken to hospital today.

We appeal to the Ministry of Justice.

The demands must be met, and attempts to take Serkan Onur Yılmaz’s life must cease.“

CHD lawyers have visited Serkan Onur Yilmaz only a day before the transfer, on the 317th day of his death fast. In a following report they described his critical health situation, and first of all they called the Ministry of Justice to accept his demands without delay.

THE DEMANDS OF SERKAN ONUR YILMAZ:

• The closure of pit type prisons

• The transfer of eight friends held in Antalya YGC (High Security) Prison to a non-pit type prison.

TAYAD Families made a statement against the threat of force feeding at Ankara’s Kurtulus Parc, where they hold a sit-in protest in support of the prisoners for 24 days.