The report says that, compared to the CPT’s previous visit in January 2013, material conditions of detention have been significantly improved for Abdullah Öcalan and remain satisfactory for the three other inmates.
Furthermore, the delegation reported a favourable impression of the establishment’s healthcare services.
However, the CPT expresses serious concern that the situation regarding the prisoners’ contact with the outside world has further deteriorated.
In particular, all prisoners have been prevented from receiving visits from their lawyers for almost five years and from relatives for more than 18 months. A total ban on telephone calls has also been imposed on all prisoners.
The Committee calls upon the Turkish authorities to make sure that all prisoners at Imralı Prison are able, if they so wish, to receive visits from their relatives and lawyers.
The report and the response of the Turkish authorities have been made public at the request of the Turkish Government.
