ANKARA - İHD Central Executive Committee member Nuray Çevirmen demanded release of İHD executive Hatice Onaran and said: "People and organisations seeking justice, and above all the political establishment, must raise their voices against this grave unlawfulness."

 

Human Rights Association (İHD) Ankara Branch held a press conference for Hatice Onaran (60). A member of İHD İstanbul Branch Prisons Commission with 79 percent disability Hatice Onaran was sentenced to 4 years and 2 months in prison for "financing an illegal organization" for sending money to some prisoners with her husband. 

 

 

Making a statement at the meeting, İHD Central Executive Committee member Nuray Çevirmen said: "Depositing money to prisoners is done within the framework of the 'Regulation on the use of personal money of convicts and detainees taken into custody'. How the money deposited in the prisoner's account will be spent is also regulated according to the same regulation. Prisoners do not have the right to dispose of theri money. Naturally, prisoner's accounts cannot be considered as a normal bank account. The use of the money is completely under the authority of the administration. Money deposited to prisoners, the use of which is determined by the regulations, cannot be considered as 'financing of a terrorist organisation'. Since prisoners can exercise all their rights through prison officials and officers, judicial pressure against those who deposit money based on the assumption that there is a terrorist organisation in prison is unacceptable."

 

'VOICE MUST BE RAISED AGAINST UNLAWFULNESS'

 

Reminding that Hatice Onaran has been receiving colon cancer treatment since 4 January, Nuray Çevirmen said that she has a 79 percent disability report due to the disease. Nuray Çevirmen continued as follows: "In addition to the treatment and follow-up of Hatice Onaran's illnesses, she needs special nutrition and to live in a hygienic environment. Since these conditions cannot be provided in prison, the possibility of rapid progression and spread of cancer disease is strengthened. It is clear that there is no legal basis for the conviction of our colleague Hatice Onaran. All relevant public officials, especially the Ministry of Justice, the Criminal Chamber of the Regional Court of Justice and the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office of the Court of Cassation, must take action to correct this unlawful judgement against Hatice Onaran. Bar associations, and organisations seeking democracy and justice, and above all the political establishment must raise their voices against this grave unlawfulness. We invite the public, the media and all concerned to raise their voices and take action, and we demand the immediate release of Hatice Onaran."