Article: Urgent Actions Required

TURKEY-

GÜRKAN TÜRKOĞLU was recently on a long-term hunger strike protesting the isolation imposed in pit-type prisons. During this period, prison authorities subjected him to the torture of force-feeding. As a result, he has been in a coma since 20th of April 2026.
As if this were not enough, he has also been handcuffed to his hospital bed. His parents are not allowed to stay with him and are only permitted to see him through a window.

TAHSIN SAĞALTICI and HÜSEYIN ÖZEN
participated in the hunger strike together with Gürkan Türkoğlu. Although they were transferred from the isolation prison to a non-isolation facility, they were placed in separate cells.
Due to the serious deterioration of their health, both prisoners require assistance and support in their daily lives, which is not possible under these conditions.

IRFAN YILMAZ is Diagnosed with Cerebellar Syndrome and Holding a 96%

Disability Report. Despite of this he was imprisoned for political reasons.
He explains his situation in his letter:
People Can Live Without Arms or Legs. Without Speech, Sight, or Hearing Too.
But Never Without Dignity…”

To the public, journalists, intellectuals, and artists.

Hello,
First of all, I send you my greetings and warm regards.
I wish you success in your work.
How are you? I hope you are very well.
Despite all the injustices I have endured and my illness, I am trying to stay well.
My name is İrfan Yılmaz. I am 59 years old and suffer from Cerebellar Syndrome. I am assessed as 96% disabled. I cannot stand unaided; I cannot use my arms and hands as I wish. I struggle to speak, and there are many other obstacles in my life.
Even in this condition, and despite the report from the Council of Forensic Medicine stating that “he cannot continue his life in prison” in relation to my request for postponement of sentence execution, I am still being held in prison on the grounds of the Sarıyer District Police Department’s opinion that I would “create a security risk”.
Naturally, I continue to experience many health problems.
About a month ago, I was referred to the Urology Department at the Marmara (Silivri) Prison Campus Hospital. Following the doctor’s examination and recommendation, the catheter I had used for years was removed. I was advised to adapt to living without a catheter. However, despite my requests, the doctor did not prescribe necessities such as a urine bottle or a condom catheter.
Only incontinence pads were prescribed. Yet using pads is difficult for me under prison conditions, and the pads provided are not sufficiently absorbent. I am trying to continue my life through primitive means, using plastic bottles as makeshift urine bottles and improvised condom catheters. However, since the removal of my catheter, I have frequently suffered urinary tract infections.
Because of this, the prison doctor prescribed three different antibiotics. One was for single use only, which I took. The others were antibiotics dosed at 500 mg and 100 mg.
I was not allowed to benefit from the “special holiday open visit” granted to others.

On 23 March 2026, the prison administration banned the BirGün newspaper — which Güzin Tolga subscribes to monthly and which had been delivered after all required procedures — on the grounds that it contained news about what we are experiencing in this prison, apparently so that “we would not see the report”.
On 25 March 2026, our weekly ten-minute phone call was not allowed.
On 25 March 2026, a letter sent by Ercan Yıldız to Güzin Tolga was deemed “objectionable”.
The same letter, which had been inspected by Adana F-Type Prison and found not objectionable, was subjected here to a double standard, with the “objectionable” sections removed and the letter delivered incomplete.
In March, we were not allowed to use our parcel post rights.
In prison, we are permitted to send gifts to our families and loved ones only once a month. According to the schedule imposed at the beginning of 2026, the parcel collection and posting dates for March were set as 16–24 March.
When parcels were not collected on those dates, we asked why and were told, “There is no staff; we will collect them next week.” Afterwards, despite our repeated enquiries, on 3 Apri, we were told, “We will not accept parcels in March.”
Thus, our already restricted right to send parcels once a month has effectively been confiscated. The gifts we prepared for our families for International Women’s Day and the holiday period will only be posted at the end of April and will not reach them until May.
Prisoners’ rights can easily be interfered with, and disruptions in administrative procedures are readily used as justification for restricting rights.
It is forgotten — or ignored — that we prisoners are human beings, that we have social rights, families, and loved ones.
All these violations occurred in March alone.
The prison administration is unlawfully punishing us by pursuing a policy of depriving us of our legal rights and subjecting us to severe isolation. By creating a prison within a prison, our most basic constitutional rights are being taken away.
Unless these harsh isolation conditions come to an end, such abuses will continue to increase.
I demand that what is necessary be done, that the imposition of the “identity card” requirement be lifted, and that arbitrary violations of rights be brought to an end.
While taking the antibiotics, I began experiencing numbness in my fingers, constant urinary leakage, and an almost complete inability to feel when I needed to urinate. Since these are particularly sensitive matters for me because of my illness, I stopped taking the medication immediately and saw the prison doctor again to explain the situation. I specifically requested a referral to the Neurology Department. The doctor said the problem was primarily urological and referred me back to the Urology Department on the prison campus, suggesting that I request a neurology referral there.
A week later, on Wednesday, 1 April 2026, after 2 p.m., I went to the urology department. While explaining my condition to the doctor, I was scolded by him. He said, “These medications have no side effects! Are you trying to teach me how to be a doctor?” and then ordered, “Take him away,” throwing me out of his office.
Despite the fact that I already struggle to speak because of my illness, the doctor would not even allow me to explain myself. I find his attitude incompatible not only with medical ethics but also with basic humanity. Even the information leaflets for these medicines list dozens of side effects, so on what basis can he claim that they have none?
Moreover, I am the one experiencing these effects. Without examining me or carrying out any tests, on what information is he basing his judgement?
I am bedridden and confined to a wheelchair. Even travelling from one place to another or changing vehicles is already an ordeal for me. The doctor’s ignorance, therefore, became a further form of suffering and torment.
I have also written about these experiences to the Istanbul Medical Chamber. In addition, I have filed a criminal complaint.
I am not a special case. I know that in the prisons of our country, there are hundreds of seriously ill prisoners in situations similar to mine who are being detained on the basis of anti-scientific reports and unlawful court decisions. We are being punished because of our political beliefs.

People can live without arms or legs. They can even live without speech, sight, or hearing. But never without dignity.
I ask you to make the public aware of what I have experienced and to be my voice.
Once again, I wish you ease and success in your work and send my love and greetings.

İrfan Yılmaz
05.04.2026 / Silivri

TUĞÇENUR ÖZBAY was forced to wear ID card in prison This new application began in the women’s prison as a pilot trial. Obviously political prisoners wouldn’t accept such labelling. Therefore, Tugcenur began hunger strike action….
Who is Tugcenur Özbay and why is she on hunger strike for 100 days?
“Does a person in this country really have to be on hunger strike for 100 days to see their mother?”
In Turkey, political prisoner Tugcenur Özbay is approaching the 100th day of her hunger strike against the introduction of prisoner ID cards and the violation of her fundamental rights.
The administration of Şakran Prison in Izmir introduced prisoner ID cards under the pretext of ensuring security. But this is a lie. The existing security measures in prisons are sufficient, and the requirement to carry an ID card is stigmatizing and degrading for prisoners. Forcing Tugcenur Özbay to wear an ID card is an attack on her political identity.
For refusing to accept a prisoner ID card, prison administration deprived Tugcenur of the right to visits from family and lawyers, phone calls, parcels, and even medical care. Even though the law stipulates a warning at most for such a refusal.
For several months, Tugcenur’s lawyers were unable to meet with their client. Her family also received no information about her, as visits and phone calls were prohibited. Books and clothing sent to her were returned by the prison guardian with the note “Tugcenur Özbay is not registered in this prison.”
All of this proves that the measures taken against Tugcenur are an attack on her, an attempt to subjugate her. Such attacks are entirely consistent with the fascist regime’s policy in Turkey against revolutionaries and all dissenters.
The fascist AKP regime is unable to physically crush revolutionaries, because the martyrdom of one rouses thousands to fight. Therefore, it attacks them ideologically, throwing them into the depths of pit-type prisons, creating intolerable conditions of imprisonment to break their will and force them into submission.
Tugcenur Ozbay was arrested in 2015 as a student at Istanbul University being accused with “planning to commit an action” and subsequently sentenced to 33 years. Since January 29, she has been on a hunger strike against the imposition of a prisoner’s ID card on her and the violation of her fundamental rights.
Tugcenur has already lost 10 kg. She is starting to suffer from mouth sores and leg pain. She is approaching her 100th day on hunger strike. After 140 days, the damage to her body will become irreversible.
Tugcenur’s demands must be accepted immediately!
Her fundamental rights as a political prisoner must be restored!
The imposition of an ID card must be lifted!

ÖZGÜL EMRE is a political prisoner in Germany who is currently resisting in defence of her political identity. She is a journalist and has spent many years in prison. She is now being forced to wear a prison uniform.
On 6 May 2026, the appeal against the verdict in the case of Özgül Emre and İhsan Cibelik was rejected. The verdict is now final. Despite previous assurances that Özgül Emre would be transferred to another detention facility, this has still not been carried out.
In Cologne-Ossendorf prison, her personal clothing was confiscated. In response, Özgül Emre began a hunger strike on 7 May.
The prison doctor is refusing to provide vitamin B1 and sugar. Salt and sugar were later supplied in an unclear and inadequate form, putting her health and medical care at serious risk. This situation may lead to severe health complications.
WHY PRISON UNIFORMS?
Forced prison uniforms are degrading, stigmatizing, and dehumanizing. The alleged “risk of escape” cannot justify such treatment. Özgül Emre has been imprisoned since 18 May 2022 and has never attempted to escape.
Furthermore, promises regarding a transfer to another detention facility have not been fulfilled.
OUR DEMANDS

• Immediate return of her personal clothing, or provision of appropriate civilian clothing.
• Guaranteed access to proper medical care, including vitamin B1 and all necessary nutrients.
• Fulfilment of the commitments made by the authorities and transparent communication from the detention centre.
  WHAT YOU CAN DO
• Share this statement.
• Contact local representatives and human rights organisations.
• Show solidarity through protests, rallies, and social media.
• Demand respect for human dignity — no forced prison uniforms!

PERIHAN ATMACA and ALI AYCEN are currently being held prisoner in Greek prisons.
On 15 June, they will appear before the court and stand trial. The accusation brought against them by the Greek authorities is “human smuggling.” The reality, however, is that they helped a revolutionary.
The Greek authorities are attempting to treat Perihan Atmaca and Ali Aycen in the same way as organised human trafficking networks and professional smugglers, prosecuting them under the same laws used against criminal gangs.
These two comrades, who helped a revolutionary, are being treated and judged as ordinary criminals.
Our call to the Greek state is clear: immediately release Perihan Atmaca and Ali Aycen, who acted in accordance with revolutionary values. They are not human smugglers; they are people who uphold revolutionary principles.
Helping revolutionaries is not a crime — it is a duty.
Free Perihan Atmaca and Ali Aycen.