Cemal Cicek

Diyarbakır Prison, situated in southeastern Turkey, was established in 1980. Following a military coup later that year, it was placed under military administration and gained notoriety for systematic torture and inhumane conditions, particularly between 1981 and 1984. This period, often referred to as "the period of barbarity" or "the hell of Diyarbakır," saw numerous prisoner deaths and widespread allegations of torture. The prison's capacity was frequently exceeded, leading to overcrowding. Although plans have been proposed to convert the facility, it remains a functioning prison. Historically, Diyarbakır Prison has been associated with harsh sentences for political prisoners since the 19th century.

The Diyarbakır Prison was established as an E-type facility in 1980 under the Ministry of Justice. However, following the Turkish military coup of September 12, 1980, the prison was transferred to military control and operated as a Martial Law Military Prison. This period saw significant restrictions, including the prohibition of visits from family members and lawyers until 1984. The prison's control was eventually returned to the Ministry of Justice on May 8, 1988. Despite its official capacity, the prison has often experienced overcrowding, with reports indicating significantly higher numbers of inmates than it was designed to hold.

The early to mid-1980s, specifically the years 1981 to 1984, are characterized by widespread reports of systematic torture within Diyarbakır Military Prison No. 5. This era is infamously known as "the period of barbarity" or "the hell of Diyarbakır." During this time, 34 prisoners died, and thousands of allegations of torture were documented by organizations like Amnesty International. The conditions were so severe that wards were given euphemistic names like "disco" or "theatre" to mask brutal practices. These included severe beatings, psychological torment, deprivation, and sexual violence. By 2008, the prison was listed among the world's ten most notorious jails.

Inmates at Diyarbakır Prison endured horrific conditions and systematic torture, with guards employing cruel methods and psychological manipulation. Practices included prolonged solitary confinement, sleep and food deprivation, and physical abuse. Some prisoners, like former mayor Mehdi Zana, described being subjected to brutal rituals upon arrival. The prison also housed numerous prominent political figures and intellectuals, including Ahmet Turk, Orhan Miroğlu, and Yılmaz Odabaşı. Bedii Tan, father of writer Altan Tan, died in the prison as a result of torture. Testimonies from former inmates, including female prisoners who faced similar abuses, have been widely published and form a significant part of the prison's historical record.

Beyond the intense period of the early 1980s, Diyarbakır Prison continued to be a site of significant events. In 1996, a raid by special forces resulted in the deaths of 10 inmates and injuries to 46 others, with investigations suggesting government complicity. The prison has also seen acts of protest, such as the self-immolation of four young prisoners in 1982, who became symbols in Kurdish collective memory. While plans for conversion into a school or a human rights museum have been proposed, the facility remains operational. The legacy of Diyarbakır Prison is deeply intertwined with the history of political repression and human rights abuses in Turkey.

“When a new prisoner arrived at the prison, Captain Esat met him at the entrance and then turned to a guard and said, 'Prepare him a bath; then take him to the dormitory.' This was a ritual. So almost twenty guards accompanied the prisoner. He received a good welcoming thrashing, and then he was dragged, unconscious, to the 'bath,' a bathtub full of shit in which they left him for a few hours.”

“Before our detention we thought that torture was applied during interrogation and that the wards in prison were comfortable. But in Diyarbakır Prison we longed for the torture chambers of interrogation.”

“We were 75 women in a ward for 25 prisoners. As women we are not equal to men, but in Diyarbakır dungeon we were equal relating to torture, isolation, military drill etc. For years we did in prison what soldiers do in their barracks.”