Until now 203 prisoners have been confirmed with coronavirus in Turkey and of those, six have lost their lives, according to Turkish Justice Ministry.

On May 1, Turkey’s Justice Ministry has decided to extend the measures it has taken in the country’s prisons, with respect to suggestions from the Coronavirus Science Board, until May 15.

The Human Rights Association, Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, Association of Lawyers for Liberty, Contemporary Lawyers Association, and Health and Social Service Workers Union of Civil Society in the Penal System, also published a statement on the COVID-19 outbreak and urged for immediate action in prisons. In their article, they emphasized on informing the public, especially family and lawyers of prisoners, about quarantine practices and the health status of prisoners.

As of 7 May 2020, the total number of confirmed total cases in the country is over 133,721, of which 82,984 have recovered and 3,641 have died, surpassing those of Iran, making it the most affected country in terms of cases in the Middle East. Turkey also surpassed China in confirmed total cases on 20 April. (ILKHA)