Hunger strikers face 'imminent death'

ANKARA, Turkey -- A Turkish human rights group is warning that 60 prisoners who have been on hunger strike in a protest over government jail reforms face imminent death.

Nine inmates on hunger strike have died since March, increasing the likelihood of Western criticism of EU-candidate Turkey's chequered human rights record.

Last month Ankara renewed its pledge to make political reforms to meet European Union criteria.

Allegations of rights abuses in Turkey are rife, particularly in the new cell-type high-security prisons, where inmates say isolation increases the risk of police brutality.

"Currently, there are 60 prisoners on hunger strike who face imminent death," said the Human Rights Foundation (IHV) in a statement faxed to Reuters news agency.

"Transfer of those prisoners to hospitals on the order of the government is not a solution."

Some 1,000 prisoners remain on hunger strike, consuming vitamins and sugared water, IHV said.

The group urged the government to negotiate with the protesters and said "urgent steps should be taken."

The government has refused to bargain with the inmates and said the cell-style jails were necessary to break the influence illegal groups enjoyed in crowded dormitory-type prisons.

More than 30 prisoners and two soldiers died in December when security forces raided prisons to halt the hunger strike and to transfer inmates to the new prisons.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Turkish unions back protests
April 12, 2001
Two female inmates starve in Turkish prison strike
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Third Turk dies in hunger strike
April 8, 2001
Inmates 'beaten' in new Turkish jails
January 6, 2001

Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Amnesty International On-line: human rights website

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