The recent arrest of mothers having chronic diseases despite their ages is considered a violation of the right to life. Lawyer Gurbet Yavuz emphasizes that the mothers were arrested on the day when Human Rights Action Plan was unveiled, “Arresting people due to investigations carried out by political motives is a manifestation of a discriminatory thought.”

MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

Amed- Dozens of people, including women, in recent home raids within the scope of the investigations opened against them. Mothers aged between 70 and 80 have been sent to prison for “attending funerals” or “visiting families of killed people”. In addition, hundreds of sick people and the elderly have been held in the prison of Turkey, where laws are being ignored. Gurbet Yavuz, one of the lawyers of the Human Rights Association (IHD) Diyarbakır Branch told us that the recent arrests are contrary to laws and that the arrested people should be released immediately to prevent further violation of the right to life.

Turkey cannot implement its own laws

Lawyer Gurbet Yavuz also told us that the arrests during the Covid-19 pandemic are unacceptable in legal terms. Stating that the de facto state of emergency declared in 2016 and lifted in 2018 still continues, Gurbet Yavuz said that Turkey cannot implement its own laws and international laws.

Stating that the ruling party has targeted women and women’s struggle the most, Gurbet Yavuz told us, “The government has issued many statements that have damaged and targeted the women's struggle. Unfortunately, following these statements, many investigations have been opened against women's organizations. Rosa Women’s Association has faced pressures, its administrator and members have faced pressures. Many female activists were detained and arrested for their struggle. Last week, many women aged between 70 and 80 were arrested. As lawyers, we have difficulties understanding and comment this situation. The arrest of women, having health problems, is contrary to national and international laws. We have no doubt that these decisions have been taken by political motives.”

“There are many alternatives before arresting”

“It is very difficult to understand the arrest warrants against 80-year-old people when there are other alternatives,” Gurbet said, “The Law of Criminal Procedure regulates in detail the measures should be taken during the investigation and prosecution phases. Surely, these regulations have been made according to the constitution and international conventions. These regulations say: if there is a risk of concealing or destroying evidence of a crime or fleeing from justice, protection measures can be taken. In fact, protection measures are not mandatory measures to be implemented automatically. The people’s right to freedom of thought and security are essential. The arrest is the most severe measure that restricts freedom among the protection measures. It is very difficult to understand arresting people while there are many alternatives before arresting.”

Talking about the new Human Rights Action Plan of Turkey, Gurbet Yavuz said, “AKP Present Erdoğan recently unveiled the human right action plan. He unveiled the plan like giving good news saying, ‘From now on, arrests will be an exception. The constitution already clearly says this. According to our current laws, the arrest is an exceptional measure. One another most interesting thing is the arrest of mothers having chronic diseases despite their ages. The statements and what has been done are contrary to each other.”