He has dedicated his legal career to human rights and social justice. A prominent member of the Turkish Association of Progressive Lawyers, Aşçı has represented more than 10,000 clients, including many of the political prisoners who have been sentenced for their membership of banned revolutionary socialist organisations. Political prisoners held in Turkey, including Kurdish activists, number in the thousands.

The failure to address the problems of F-type prisons has so far driven 122 inmates to die through hunger strikes, while another 600 have been left crippled.

The isolation prisons are designed to terrorise, humiliate and break the morale of the political prisoners. Many of the prisoners Behiç Aşçı represented have had their feet taped together and their hands taped behind their backs. Left alone, immobilised, for hours or days at a time and unable to avail themselves of toilet facilities, they are forced to endure the indignity of repeatedly soiling themselves. Many of Aşçı’s clients, both men and women, had been raped while in custody, often by prison guards using batons.

Throughout the interview Aşçı was calm and eloquent as he explained the factors that led him to make this drastic protest. But the physical signs of such a long time without food were also apparent. No human can normally survive more than 60 days without eating. The use of vitamin supplements can allow a death faster to survive for 300 days or longer.

Please write to the authorities of Turkey calling for a solution to this urgent problem.
President of Turkey, Mr. Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Cumhurbaskanligi 06100 Ankara,Turkey; Fax: +90 312 468 5026
Prime Minister, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, TC Basbakanlik Bakanligi Ankara,Turkey, Fax: + 90 312 417 0476; receptayyip.erdogan@basbakanlik.gov.tr
Interior Minister, Mr Abdulkadir Aksu, Ministry of Interior, Içisleri Bakanligi, 06644 Ankara, Turkey; Fax: + 90 312 418 17 95, aaksu@icisleri.gov.tr
Justice Minister, Mr Cemil Cicek, Ministry of Justice/ Adalet Bakanligi , 06659 Ankara, Turkey; Fax: + 90 312 418 5667, ccicek@adalet.gov.tr
Foreign Minister, Mr Abdullah Gül, Office of the Prime Minister, Basbakanlik,06573 Ankara, Turkey; Fax: + 90 312 417 04 76, agul@mfa.gov.tr

Elifsu Inan, London

Socialist Worker

Judicial execution through F-type prisons takes on place in Turkey since 2000. Human rights defenders, NGOs and barristers have stood against the F-type prisons project, before it was put into practice by force. After political prisoners refused to be placed in these prisons, the state kicked off a series of simultaneous operations among nearly 20 prisons in Turkey on December 19, 2000. Heavy construction equipments, many security troops and soldiers got into the prisons using guns and chemical weapons to take prisoners to F-type prisons by force, during the operations deliberate force was used on prisoners and many prisoners were put into isolated cells despite the fact that they were soaking wet and heavily injured and 28 prisoners along with two soldiers had passed away.

F-type prison cells along with moderated E-type prison cells are based on individual or small-group isolation of prisoners; where ventilation, communication, visiting, health, defense and many other indispensable human rights are subject to usurpation under the name “amendment sanctions” and any efforts to go after such human rights abuses by the prisoners are either refused arbitrarily and/or punished by prison administrative authorities. No criminal complaints regarding the human rights abuses in this sense are let be taken to the authorities.

Among some of the many things that are prohibited at F-type prisons are talking while playing volleyball, archiving newspapers, listening to music from walkman, wearing garments brought by visitors. Also, the colors of the prisoners’ underwear are limited in case they make flags out of them, the flowers pasted on letters are deemed as reasons to tear the letters. Specifically petitions or letters complaining from the deeds of administrative or military personnel are hindered to be sent to lawyers or families of the prisoners. Photo albums are not permitted. Medical treatments for prisoners are impeded by unacceptable practices. The prisoners are not allowed to exchange books or lend money or garments, or keep more than three books at hand. Moreover, the use common lebensraums depend on a certain political view of the prisoners. Three to four times a day prisoners are forced to wear off their shoes and controlled, disquieted for any reasons, exposed to high-volume music, and similar humiliating acts during controls. And these are only a few of many inhuman daily practices observed at F-type prisons.

Such an execution model is an additional type of punishment exerted over prisoners unlawfully and is against humanity. 122 persons have passed away since 2000 in protests against F-type prisons and isolation practices at prisons. More than 600 were injured permanently physically or psychologically.

NGOs, trade unions and human rights defenders that have prepared reports and gone through researches on insulation and isolation at prisons so far all agree that F-type prisons are used for torture, cause irreversible damage on convicts’ and prisoners’ physical and psychological well-being, cultural and political identities.

Isolation practices but abstract individuals from any type of social relations are against the human nature and humanity. Turkey’s government and ministers of justice have done nothing to bring a solution to the problem so far but postpone them, and even closed the channels for dialogue. The government put the new law on execution into practice, which even adds to the current burden of isolation of prisoners.

The point reached as of today is nothing but a bunch of problems due to unlawful practices by the Ministry of Justice against the articles in the Turkey’s constitution that guarantees the right to live and the right to protect honour; against any human rights agreements, international law norms.

On April 5, Barrister Behiç Aşçı, who is a member of People’s Law Bureau and of Administrative Board of Contemporary Lawyers’ Association started death strike with the demand to abolish the isolation in his house in Istanbul. Similar actions – both in and outside prisons – against isolation continue.

The government should immediately take the required steps to halt further deaths and defects. By “steps” the following is implied: The Minister of Justice, Cemil Çiçek, should accept the reality that isolation practice is “subject to discussion” and meet with the spokespersons of the initiative against isolation. Until the discussion period is finalised, the problem should not be made harder with new practices. During this period, fundamental isolation practices of quantity and kind that would necessitate a discussion platform should be given up.

ACT NOW!

Write your messages to Turkey’s Minister of Justice, Cemil Cicek urging him to make a step for a solution to the ongoing tragedy regarding abuses and deaths due to f-type prisons in Turkey.

Please circulate this call as widely as possible.

ADDRESS AND SEND YOUR APPEALS TO:

Minister of Justice
Cemil Çiçek

e-mail: fkasirga@adalet.gov.tr
Web site: www.adalet.gov.tr
Fax: +90 312 4177113

Address: T.C. Adalet Bakanlığı, 06659, Kızılay, Ankara

yorum ekle

Lawyer Behic Asci, who pursues a hunger strike since April 5 for the abolition of isolation practices in F-type imprisonment facilities, criticizes news that he’s linked to a far-leftist group as “provocative”. BİA News Center

Already 122 people died at hunger strike since the introduction of the F-type facilities in December 2000.

The protesters demand partial improvements in existing practices while government forms a work group with NGOs and experts for a definitive solution to the problem.

Turkey’s Human Rights Foundation (TIHV) report showed many prisoners suffer from psychological trauma and distress resulting from the isolation policies in facilities.

NGOs mobilize for support

The Bar Association of Istanbul made a statement today calling the government to end denial and save their colleagues from death.

Several NGOs, workers’ unions, intellectuals and artists came together last week to make a call to the Minister of Justice to act before Ahci’s strike reaches to its evident end.

Union of Turkish Doctors (TTB) chair Gencay Gürsoy said that the government is insisting on a policy of denial.

Confederation of Revolutionary Workers’ Unions (DISK) general secretary Suleyman Celebi noted that a democratization process, which would allow different thought to exist in Turkey must continue.

The platform, including writers, artists and academics made a declaration demanding an execution system compatible with international standards.(AO/EÜ)

Fundamental and inalienable rights of detainees and convicts, such as right to a legal defense, outdoor exercise periods, reading, family visits, contact with other prisoners, dressing, availability of health-care facilities have been restricted and even sometimes these rights have been completely obstructed due to “treatment”-the name of the model- that violates the international agreements, the standards and the applications

Apart from the negative issues mentioned above, this model most importantly has harmed the prisoners’ and convicts’ physical health, psychological unity, cultural and political identity permanently and it is still continuing to harm.
A member of the Istanbul Bar Council Behic Asci started the death fast on 5 April 2006 to put an end to the practices mentioned above and to draw the attention of public opinion to this matter and he is still continuing. There are other detainees and convicts who are on the death fast for this purpose. The health conditions and existence of all of them are in danger and they are approaching death.

Over six years Medical Association, Bar Councils of Ankara and Istanbul, Chamber of Architects assessed the drawbacks of the system and submitted reports. The aim of the 4 December 2006 Marmara Istanbul briefing is to emphasize the sensitivity of the professional associations, the Confederation of Trade Unions, and intellectuals about this matter.

We believe that, the permanent solution to this matter is a working group —including the Ministry of Justice, bar councils and professional associations — to investigate the scope of this matter and possible solutions. Until fundamental and comprehensive solutions are found arrangements must be made according to current legislation.
Ministry should abandon the insistent of maintaining the existent model with the justification of the requirements of legislation of execution, national execution policy, security by two reasons. First of all, there is no possibility of leading any minor infirmity of the suggested solution in the outside or inside security of the prison. Secondly, as it was declared clearly in the United Nations Complete Principles “any situation that can be practiced in order to justify torture or any kind of persecution, inhumane or degrading treatment can not be accepted as just and legal.” The argument of infirmity in security should be removed from the agenda because it is unrealistic and cannot be accepted with the justification of bad treatment.
High security closed prisons and execution organizations were formulated with law no 5275 article 9. The sentence;

“The doors of rooms and corridors are constantly closed, but in the situations stated in legislation there can be a contact with the convicts in other rooms and outer environment”

that is in the first section is used as justification for a permanent isolation.
Ministry of justice should accept the questions in F type prisons that are defined in different terms such as “lack of social contact”1, “inadequacy of social events outside the cell”, “isolation based on the type of crime2” and the questions that are resulted from the regime of execution in this prisons that is based on “single isolation” and “triple small group isolation”

The opportunities that the existing adjustment provides us are obvious.
Principle adjustment in terms of “conditions stated in legislation” is made in the 34. Article of law no 5275 that is mentioned in the 9. Article of law no 5275 stated above. That is to say, when the doors will be opened in closed prisons and how the prisoners can contact with each other is arranged in this article. In the second section of the article it is stated that “Convicts can not contact with the convicts in other rooms and authorities of the organization other than the situations mentioned above.”

First article; natural disaster, forwarding to hospital and similar contact condition is listed and then in article (f) “ the needed condition experienced by prison administration ”
is enough to contact prisoners or to open the doors between them. The same arrangement is explained in 45/1 (f) article of the regulation of execution number 2006/1021 as “the needed conditions as seen by institution administration” there is no other condition more necessary than this.

In such a case; in F type prisons during the day (between morning and evening roll calls ) shutting units that open to the same corridor can be opened and social contact can be provided between certain times for up to 9 (nine) prisoners in accordance with articles 5275/9, 34/1 (f), can be seen as “required acceptable conditions”.
This solution does not necessitate any security matter and legislation and architectural modifications and it is obligatory for transition to humane practices. Until the joint determination of the matter and evaluation studies that are pursued by the concerned professional associations and execution administration have been concluded, the Ministry of Justice must take steps to increase good will. Consequently, with these measures, the severe and extensive protest actions against the applications in F type prisons which have been lasted for 7 years can be ended.

04.12.2006 ISTANBUL

Turkish Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions (DISK Chairman)
Suleyman CELEBI
Turkey Medical Association (TTB Chairman)
Gencay GURSOY
UNION OF CHAMBERS OF TURKISH ENGINEERS AND ARCHITECTS (TMMOB Chairman)
Mehmet SOGANCI
Confederation of Public Employees’ Trade Unions (KESK Chairman )
Ismail Hakki TOMBUL
Confederation of Turkish Real Trade Unions (HAK-IS)

Final declaration was signed by:

01 Ahmet TULGAR
02 Ali ARAYICI
03 Ali ERDOGAN
04 Alp SELEK
05 Arif DAMAR
06 Aslı TUNCER
07 Asude YARDIMCI
08 Ataol BEHRAMOĞLU
09 Atilla KART
10 Ayça ÖRER
11 Ayşe DÜZKAN
12 Barbaros TANTAN
13 Belda KERİMGİLLER
14 Bilgesu ERENUS
15 Binali GERÇEK
16 Birol TOPALOĞLU
17 Bülent KURT
18 Durmuş İLİKSİZ
19 E.Elif AKSU
20 Edip AKBAYRAM
21 Erol EKİCİ
22 Ertuğrul MAVİOĞLU
23 Eşber YAĞMURDERELİ
24 Faik KESTEKOĞLU
25 Faruk ALTAN
26 Feyyaz YAMAN
27 Fikret BAŞKAYA
28 Fikret İLKİZ
29 Filiz KOCALİ
30 Grup YORUM
31 Gülsüm KARACAN
32 Günay KUBİLAY
33 Güngör GENÇAY
34 Hasan KIVIRCIK
35 Hatice UÇUM
36 Hazel IŞIK
37 Hürriyet ŞENER
38 Hüseyin USTA
39 Hüseyin YEŞİL
40 Hüseyin Yüksel BİÇEN
41 İsmail YURTSEVEN
42 Kamber SAYGILI
43 Kemal AYTAÇ
44 Kenan AKSU
45 Mehmet ARSLAN
46 Mehmet ESATOĞLU
47 Mehmet KARAGÖZ
48 Mehmet UÇUM
49 Merdan YANARDAĞ
50 Metin COŞKUN
51 Mukaddes E.ÇETİN
52 Nazmi TÜMERDEM
53 Nebile Irmak ÇETİN
54 Necdet OKCAN
55 Nevzat KARAKIŞ
56 Nilüfer AKBAL
57 Nilüfer TAŞKIN
58 Nurettin ŞİRİN
59 Olcayto ART
60 Orhan AYDIN
61 Pınar SELEK
62 S.Refika KADIOĞLU
63 Sacit KAYASU
64 Salih YILMAZ
65 Selami İNCE
66 Sergül YOLCU
67 Seyda SELEK
68 Şanar YURDATAPAN
69 Şinasi HAZNEDAR
70 Taha PARLA
71 Tarık AKAN
72 Ulaş AK
73 Vedat SAKMAN
74 Vedat TÜRKALİ
75 Veli ŞİMŞEK
76 Yalçın ERGGÜNDOĞAN
77 Yeliz MUTLU
78 Yılmaz TEKİN
79 Yusuf ÇETİN

Note: The chairman of HAK-IS, Mr. Salim Uslu, who was the one of the organizers of the briefing, could not participate, due to the death of his father.
Also, the presidents of the Istanbul and Ankara Bar Chamber because of the meeting of Bar Association on 04.12.2006 at 11:00, which was planned before the briefing, could not participate. They shared their afflictions and desires via telegraph.

Source: www.tecritekarsi.com

Statement of the Party of the European Left on the situation of Behic Asci
12-12-2006

To the:
Turkish Government
Ministry of Justice of Turkey
Turkish representation to the EU

le logo_de_thumb.jpg

The Executive Board of the Party of the European Left was informed of the situation of lawyer Behic Asci, advocate of defence of detainees in Turkish prisons, who has already exceeded the 240 days of hunger strike and his situation seems fatal.

Independently from the Turkish authorities’ opinion regarding his chosen method of protest, the sole fact that one advocate of defence of detainees feels he suffocates in his effort to practice his professional duty and the fact that a human life enters at risk compels us all to react.

We demand therefore from the Turkish Government to act immediately.

A human Life remains always an irreplaceable value that cannot be compensated nor with fabricated arguments neither with political intentions.

This constitutes a fundamental value for any discussion on the culture that the humanity needs nowadays.

Moreover whatever the opinion of the Turkish State on the political beliefs of Behic Asci and the defendants that he undertook to protect, the responsibility of the Turkish Government remains in totality, in order to ensure their terms on the unbiased exercise of vocation of advocate of defence.

First condition for this is the protection of the life of Behic Asci.

The Executive Board
of the Party of the European Left
Brussels 5/12/2006

European Left
30, rue Parnasse
B-1050 Brussels
Belgium

e-mail : :info@european-left.org
phone : +32 (0)2 502 26 06
fax : +32 (0)2 502 01 73

Samir Kuntar, the longest held Lebanese Prisoner in Israeli Jails.
What did he do? What was his crimes? KUNTAR WAS THE MAIN REASON HEZBOLLAH KIDANPPED THE TWO ISRAELI SOLDIERS IN JULY 12, 2006 which led to the sequence of events which resulted in the Israel Lebanon War.

A Song about isolation and “F Type” from Turkish Rap Group Barikat

www.sosyalistforum.org , 3 minutes

Kostas Paplomatas: “I brouth the greetings and solidarity of 75 thousand teachers with me. Also the Communist Party of Greece have send his greetings and best whishes…
We support the struggle of the Turkish people and we protest the F-type prisons, the state terror. We want a Turkey without isolation and torture… We greet the 122 martyrs with respect…”

Angelos Mandadakis spoke as the representative of the Sinaspismos Party, member of The European Left Party. It’s his second visit to Turkey he tells. In May he visited Behic Asci. “Together with the European Left Party and other sister left parties we will make agenda of this issue and discus it in the European Parliament and other organs. We will ask them for intervention about this issue. We are with you in struggle to save the lives of Behic Asci, the other friends and to close the isolation prisons.”

source: www.halkinsesi-tv.com