Human Rights in Turkey
Critically Ill Prisoners in Turkish Prisons – Muhlise Karagüzel

Profile

VICTIM : Muhlise Karagüzel
INCIDENT : Denial of access to adequate medical treatment and healthcare rights in prison.
LOCATION : Diyarbakır, Türkiye
SITUATION : Sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison on charges of “Membership in an Organization.”

Case Summary

Muhlise Karagüzel, a 64-year-old seriously ill inmate held in Diyarbakır Women’s Closed Prison, is facing life-threatening health conditions. She suffers from multiple chronic illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and lumbar and cervical hernia. Due to extremely high blood sugar levels, she requires insulin injections four times a day. Her elevated glucose levels are causing severe damage to her eyes and kidneys, resulting in intense pain; she also struggles to breathe due to asthma and is unable to sleep. Karagüzel cannot maintain her daily life independently, yet she is not provided with adequate care in prison. According to her daughter, Karagüzel has suffered three heart attacks since her imprisonment; after the most recent one, she underwent open-heart surgery. She has undergone multiple angiography procedures, and due to the progression of her diabetes, she has sustained serious eye damage, temporarily losing her vision multiple times and requiring repeated eye angiographies. While she was previously held in Bünyan Prison, the Kayseri Forensic Medicine Institute issued a report stating that she was “90% unfit for incarceration.” However, Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute later issued a conflicting report asserting that she “can remain in prison.” A few weeks ago, Karagüzel again experienced heart-related complications and underwent another angiography in Diyarbakır. Her daughter reports that her mother’s access to essential, life-saving medications is frequently delayed in prison, even though these medications must not be missed for even a single day. It has been emphasized that Karagüzel’s rapidly deteriorating health poses a serious threat to her life if she remains in prison. Immediate release is urgently needed to ensure she receives adequate medical treatment and proper care.

Souce

Contact

Diyarbakır Woman Closed Penal Institution

Phone: 0 (412) 258 04 24 – 0 (412) 258 04 25

Mail: diyarbakir.kkcik@adalet.gov.tr 

General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses

Phone: (0312) 507 04 00 – (0312) 507 04 01

Mail: cte@adalet.gov.tr 

Ministry of Justice – Republic of Türkiye

Phone: +90 (0312) 417 77 70

Mail: info@adalet.gov.tr

Latest News