Academic Esra Mungan, Arrested Because She Asked for Peace, is Now Placed in a Solitary Confinement Prison Cell

(Translated from an article published in Turkish in Evrensel--accessed on March 21, 2016)

Mithat Fabian SÖZMEN
 İstanbul

Assistant Professor Esra Mungan from Bosphorus University is among the 1128 academics who had signed the declaration, titled “We Will Not Be Party to This Crime.” She is among the three academics who were arrested for signing the declaration. Dr. Mungan was put into solitary confinement in Bakırköy Women’s Prison. By the end of the three-day-long short stay period it was expected that Esra Mungan would be transferred to the ward. The Prison Administration decided that “she is fit to stay in solitary ward.”

'IT IS ALL SEGREGATION CONDITIONS’

Mungan's attorney Meriç Eyüboğlu, said that this decision is definitely unacceptable and that “solitary confinement” means her client is subjected to segregation.

Eyüboğlu noted that Mungan was put into the section reserved for those convicted prisoners with aggravated life imprisonment. “It is all segregation conditions. She has 1,5 hours long right to get fresh air. She is again alone here. She does not meet anybody,” said Eyüboğlu.

OBJECTIONS SUBMITTED

Eyüboğlu noted that it is not clear whether Mungan will be given the right of free visitation once a week, since she is being held in the section where prisoners with right of free visitation once a month are staying. Eyüboğlu said that legal appeals and objections were submitted.

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATED

Eyüboğlu noted that the treatment towards Mungan is against law. But beyond that it is against the most basic human rights and that all initiatives at national and international levels will be taken, she added.

ACADEMICS FOR PEACE ARE ALSO STEPPING IN

Eyüboğlu noted that the decision of the prison administration was “inhuman isolation.”  Eyüboğlu also added that ‘Academics for Peace’ are also decisive to initiate all kinds of support and solidarity for not leaving their friends alone.