Rights groups call for urgent release of imprisoned journalists, human rights defenders and others, now at risk of Covid-19
/TLSP joins 26 other organisations in calling for the urgent release of imprisoned journalists, human rights defenders and others, now at risk of Covid-19. Amid growing concerns over the spread of Covid-19 in prisons, the Turkish government is accelerating the preparation of a draft law that will reportedly release up to 100,000 prisoners. This is a welcome step. Overcrowding and unsanitary facilities already pose a serious health threat to Turkey’s prison population of nearly 300,000 prisoners and about tens of thousands of prison staff. That will only be exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. However, we remain concerned that journalists, human rights defenders and others imprisoned for simply exercising their rights, and others who should be released, will remain behind bars in the package of measures as currently conceived by the government.
The statement calls on the Turkish authorities to:
Immediately and unconditionally release journalists, human rights defenders and others who have been charged or convicted simply for exercising their rights
Re-examine the cases of all prisoners in pre-trial detention with a view to releasing them
Seriously consider releasing prisoners who are particularly vulnerable to Covid-19, such as older prisoners and those with serious medical conditions.
Ensure that all prisoners have prompt access to medical attention and health care to the same standards that are available in the community, including when it comes to testing, prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Prison staff and health care workers should have access to adequate information, equipment, training and support to protect themselves.
The full statement is available in English here, and Turkish here.
