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A Short History of Prison Struggles in Turkey
1984 Death Strike
In 1984 a hunger strike, which turned into a death strike against the decree enforcing 'uniforms' resulted in the martyrdom of Abdullah Meral, Haydar Basbag, Mehmet Fatih Öktülmüs and Hasan Telci. After 75 days, the death strike was ended in a political victory.
21 September 1995 - Izmir-Buca Massacre
On 21 September 1995, thousands of soldiers and special teams officers attacked with gas bombs, sledgehammers, pressurised water, iron bars, planks of wood and truncheons. After a 4-hour long assault and resistance three prisoners; Turhan Kilic, Yusuf Bag and Ugur Sariaslan were murdered and dozens of prisoners were seriously injured.
4 January 1996 - Istanbul-Umraniye Massacre
On 4 January 1996, the state attempted another massacre, 4 months after the Buca incident. Whilst 42 prisoners were injured, of which 6 of them were in serious condition, 4 prisoners, including Abdulmecit Seckin, Orhan Özen, Riza Boybas were murdered and dozens of prisoners were injured. Gultekin Beyhan, one of the injured, later died in the hospital.
1996 Death Strike
In 1996 hundreds of prisoners started a death hunger strike against the 6 Maz Decree, which ordered isolation cells. During the 69 days death strike; Aygün Ugur, Altan Berdan Kerimgiller, Ilginc Özkeskin, Hüseyin Demircioglu, Ali Ayata, Müjdat Yanat, Ayce Idil Erkmen, Tahsin Yilmaz, Yemliha Kaya, Hicabi Kücük, Osman Akgün and Hayati Can were martyred. The death strike resulted in victory.
24 September 1996 Diyarbakir Massacre
Although the rights were won the '96 death strike at the cost of 12 human lives, only after a few months, the state carried out a new massacre in Diyarbakir on 24 September, where 10 prisoners lost their lives.
September 1999 Ulucanlar Massacre
On 26 September 1999, the security forces used an excuse concerning a demand to an additional dormitory, and attacked with bombs, sledge hammers, truncheons, the strong acids, which were specifically poured on the faces of prisoners, iron bars, and having not been satisfied with these, deliberately aimed at prisoners and murdered 12 people with their weapons.
In this massacre Abuzer Cat, Ahmet Sarvan, Ismet Kavak- lioglu, Aziz Dönmez, Halil Türker, Mahir Emsalsiz, Nevzat Cifci, Zafer Kirbiyik, Onder Gencaslan and Umit Altintas were martyred.
Silent Death
Especially after the 12 September military coup, the Republic of Turkey has murdered dozens of massacres and injured hundreds. Between 1994-96 more than 50 prisoners have lost their lives due to medical intervention been prevented.
Ilhan Yelkovan Death Strike in 1999
Ilhan Yelkovan, who was placed in an isolation cell in Hamburg, Germany, went on a 63 days long death strike and his demands were accepted.
19 December 2000 - 'Return to Life' Prison Massacre
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