Total Conscientious Objector 29 days on hunger strike

international | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Saturday October 29, 2005 11:46 by Justin Morahan - Peace People

Mehmet Tarhan action taken against alleged prison torture

A Turkish Conscientious objector, Mehmet Tarhan, was 29 days on hunger strike yesterday while serving a four year prison sentence for refusing to serve in the army in Turkey

According to Payday, the following statement was sent from prison by the Conscientious objector on September 30th last:

"Today, at 3pm, non-commissioned officer Hilmi Savluk [prison warden], accompanied by three or four guards, told me that my hair was to be cut. Then seven or eight people using force and torture cut my hair and beard but they could not cut my moustache. Also a friend [Mr Ali Düler] from the ward faced a harsh intervention from the guards. After the "hair cut" torture, there is pain in my head, in both my hands, in my left arm because they stood on it, pain in my left foot, injuries and bruises on my arm and legs. I cannot turn my neck around because of pain in my face and neck ".

This is not the first time that allegations of torture or ill-treatment have been made against prison authorities holding Mehmet Tarhan.

Payday are asking that concerned people write to Turkish Embassies in their own countries to complain.

The Turkish Embassy in Ireland is located at 11 Clyde Road Ballsbridge.

Email: [email protected].

See also:

http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=71530