Following Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s call on February 27, the Peace and Democratic Society Process began, but critics say the state and government have taken no steps, while violations in prisons have intensified.

 

According to İHD data from April 2025, there are at least 1,412 ill prisoners in Turkey’s prisons. Of these, 335 are in serious condition, 230 are unable to sustain daily life on their own, and 105 require assistance. Despite being seriously ill, prisoners Mehmet Edip Taşar and Rojhat Babat were not released and died within the past 15 days.

 

Derinci, a member of the Prisons Commission of the İHD Mersin branch, said the ongoing process has yet to be reflected in prisons. He said the lack of steps by the state and the continued detention of ill prisoners have eroded hope, adding that detainees are increasingly concerned for their lives.

 

Derinci noted that even prisoners deemed “cannot stay in prison” by state hospitals are not released. He said such reports are disregarded, with prisoners instead referred to the Forensic Medicine Institute, prolonging the process.

 

He added that the situation of ill prisoners has not received sufficient attention, stressing that releases are necessary for the process and are a requirement of the law.

 

“Any rights violation seen today in prisons was first implemented in İmralı. The state tests all forms of violations there and then extends them to other prisons. For the path to peace to be opened, conditions at İmralı Prison must first be changed,” he said.