Use of torture and inhuman treatment of women in prisons in Turkey

WRITTEN QUESTION

Submission: to the Commission and the Council.

09 May 2003

Subject: Use of torture and inhuman treatment of women in prisons in Turkey

On June 13, the first trial is held in Turkey for the two women, Ms. Natijeh Çoğaltaý, 22 years old, and Sunay Yeşildag, 28 years old, who were tortured while being detained in prisons in Istanbul. The two women were arrested on September 23, 2002, on the claim that they were members of an illegal organization. During their detention, they were tortured, which was confirmed by a forensic expert. Specifically, the women, who were initially beaten, had electricity passed through them and were forced to open their mouths. After the torturers spat inside, they were then forced to swallow the saliva.

The barbarity of the conditions of detention for these prisoners in Turkey contradicts fundamental human rights and constitutes a flagrant violation of international conventions and the principles of democracy and freedom. The Committee is asked whether it intends to intervene to stop the torture in prisons, to humanize the correctional system of the candidate country Turkey, and to prioritize the respect for the human rights of women.