Access to healthcare, humane detention conditions and protection from ill-treatment are fundamental rights that must be guaranteed to all individuals deprived of their liberty. However, concerns regarding prison overcrowding, medical neglect and restrictions on family contact continue to raise questions about the protection of vulnerable prisoners in Türkiye.
On 28 October 2026, Solidarity with OTHERS, a Brussels-based human rights organisation, published a report titled “Vulnerable Behind Bars: Ongoing Human Rights Violations in Türkiye’s Prisons.” Authored by Dr. Fikret Demirçivi, the publication examines the situation of seriously ill and elderly prisoners, incarcerated mothers and children, as well as journalists, writers and political dissenters.
Drawing on approximately 20 individual case files collected between 2025 and 2026, interviews with imprisoned and formerly imprisoned mothers, and findings from international human rights monitoring bodies, the report explores recurring concerns about detention conditions and access to fundamental rights.
Prison Overcrowding and Medical Neglect
One of the central issues examined in the report is the pressure on Türkiye’s prison system. According to figures cited in the publication, the country’s prison population reached 434,681 on 3 September 2026, approximately 43% above its official capacity.
The report also highlights the situation of prisoners with serious medical conditions, including individuals who require continuous care or assistance with daily activities. It documents allegations of delayed hospital transfers, insufficient medical treatment and difficulties obtaining sentence suspensions on health grounds.
Among the cases discussed is that of Yusuf Bekmezci, an 81-year-old prisoner with Alzheimer’s disease who died in custody despite a medical recommendation for the suspension of his sentence. The report also examines the circumstances of Asuman Birinci, whose access to necessary medical treatment was reportedly delayed.
These cases raise broader questions about the responsibility of prison authorities to ensure timely healthcare and appropriate treatment for individuals with serious health conditions.
Women, Children and the Right to Family Life
The report further examines the consequences of imprisonment for mothers and children, particularly the effects of prolonged separation and restrictions on physical contact.
According to the publication, nearly 900 children under the age of six were living in Turkish prisons with their mothers by early 2026.
Individual accounts illustrate the challenges faced by families affected by imprisonment. One case concerns a child receiving treatment for lymphatic tuberculosis whose medical needs reportedly require maternal care while his mother remains detained.
The findings draw attention to the importance of considering children’s welfare, family relationships and alternatives to detention in accordance with international human rights standards.
Institutional Accountability and International Human Rights Standards
A central concept introduced in the report is “deliberate neglect,” which the author uses to describe situations where access to essential rights or services is allegedly denied or delayed under administrative or institutional justifications.
The publication examines these concerns in relation to the European Convention on Human Rights, the United Nations Nelson Mandela Rules and other international standards governing the treatment of prisoners.
It also addresses the implications of relevant European Court of Human Rights judgments and identifies challenges concerning their implementation.
The report presents recommendations to Turkish authorities and international institutions, including improving access to healthcare, strengthening independent oversight, reviewing detention practices and ensuring effective legal remedies for prisoners whose rights may have been violated.
The Importance of Independent Human Rights Monitoring
The findings contribute to ongoing discussions about prison conditions, accountability and the protection of vulnerable individuals within detention systems.
By combining documented cases, testimonies and legal analysis, the publication provides a resource for civil society organisations, researchers, legal professionals and international institutions working on detention-related human rights issues.
It also highlights the importance of independent monitoring and cooperation among national and international actors in ensuring that detention practices comply with established human rights obligations.
The protection of human dignity, access to essential healthcare and effective safeguards against ill-treatment remain central principles of international human rights law, regardless of an individual’s legal status or the nature of the charges against them.
For more information and to read the full report, please visit:
https://solidaritywithothers.com/vulnerable-behind-bars/