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IFEX, Canada
International Freedom of Expression eXpress
July 5 2007
Various journalists, writers and publishers charged under article 301
over various publications
País/Tema: Turkey
Fecha: 28 de junio de 2007
Fuente: IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET)
Persona: Ibrahim Güclü, Enis Mazhar Tayman, Neval Barlas, Eren
Keskin, Ali Riza Vural, Osman Tiftikci
Victimas: redactor(es) , trabajador(es) en derechos humanos ,
periodista(s) , director (es) , escritor(es)
Tipos de violaciónes: acción legal
Urgencia: Amenaza
(BIANET/IFEX) - Since article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code was
ratified, around 100 writers, journalists and academics have been
tried under it. The authorities look set to continue using the law to
target those who discuss controversial topics. Although there was a
plan to review the law, the government has now accused
non-governmental organisations of not producing a common draft on the
recommended changes and therefore, is not going to amend the article.
Thus, dozens of people will spend time in court again.
Human rights activists had called on the ruling Justice and
Development Party (AKP) and the main opposition party, the Republican
People's Party (CHP), to change the law, arguing that the fact that
Hrant Dink was tried under Article 301 made him a target for murder.
Before the assassination of Hrant Dink, Prime Minister Erdogan had
suggested a collaborative effort with the CHP but was rebuffed by CHP
leader Deniz Baykal.
Currently, magazines "Nokta" and "Tempo", newspapers "Birgün", "Agos"
and "Gündem", and publishers Doz and Sorun are on trial over news and
articles they have published.
Ahmet Sik, a journalist for "Nokta" magazine, which has closed down,
and security expert Lale Sariibrahimoglu are both on trial over an
interview article entitled "Military must stay away from domestic
security" which was published on 8 February 2007. They will appear
before a Penal Court in Bakirköy, Istanbul, on 24 October.
In the case against "Tempo", after Ibrahim Güclü, speaker for the
Diyarbakir Kürd-Der Association, gave an interview to "Tempo"
journalist Enis Mazhar Tayman. Güclü, Tayman and, initially, the
editor concerned, Neval Barlas, were charged with "degrading
Turkishness and the republic" and "inciting the public to disobey
laws". Proceedings against Barlas have now been dismissed as the
author of the interview is clear. The court case will continue on 16
October.
In another case, Eren Keskin, a lawyer and the former Istanbul branch
president of the Human Rights Association (IHD), is still on trial
over an article entitled "Special forces at work", which commented on
the Hrant Dink murder. His case continues on 27 September.
Meanwhile, writer and director Umur Hozatli is on trial under article
301 over two articles published in the "Gündem" newspaper, entitled
"Irritating devotion" and "A good father has started working". His
trial continues on 19 September.
On 16 May, the court considered five charges against Hozatli, former
"Gündem" editor-in-chief Irfan Ucar and writer Sinan Kara. A
statement from the newspaper's owner, Hasan Bayar, who is living
abroad, is still to be procured.
In yet another case, Ali Riza Vural, an editor with Doz Publishers,
is being tried for the publication of Iraqi Kurdish leader Mesut
Barzani's two-volume book, "Barzani and the Kurdish National Freedom
Movement". He is charged with "insulting and ridiculing the
republic". His case continues on 18 July, at a Penal Court in
Beyoglu, Istanbul.
The case against Hrant Dink's son Arat Dink, the managing editor and
licence holder of "Agos" newspaper, Serkis Seropyan continues on 18
July at a Penal Court in Sisli, Istanbul. They are charged with
"degrading Turkishness". The case is based on the republished
interview by Reuters news agency with Hrant Dink, in which he stated
that he believed an Armenian genocide happened.
In another case, Osman Tiftikci, author of the book, "The evolution
of the army from Ottoman times to today", and Sýrrý Öztürk, of Sorun
Publishers, are on trial for "degrading the army". Because Tiftikci
lives abroad, a writ of summons has been issued. The case continues
on 4 July.
http://www.ifex.org/es/content/view/full/84457/
International Freedom of Expression eXpress
July 5 2007
Various journalists, writers and publishers charged under article 301
over various publications
País/Tema: Turkey
Fecha: 28 de junio de 2007
Fuente: IPS Communication Foundation (BIANET)
Persona: Ibrahim Güclü, Enis Mazhar Tayman, Neval Barlas, Eren
Keskin, Ali Riza Vural, Osman Tiftikci
Victimas: redactor(es) , trabajador(es) en derechos humanos ,
periodista(s) , director (es) , escritor(es)
Tipos de violaciónes: acción legal
Urgencia: Amenaza
(BIANET/IFEX) - Since article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code was
ratified, around 100 writers, journalists and academics have been
tried under it. The authorities look set to continue using the law to
target those who discuss controversial topics. Although there was a
plan to review the law, the government has now accused
non-governmental organisations of not producing a common draft on the
recommended changes and therefore, is not going to amend the article.
Thus, dozens of people will spend time in court again.
Human rights activists had called on the ruling Justice and
Development Party (AKP) and the main opposition party, the Republican
People's Party (CHP), to change the law, arguing that the fact that
Hrant Dink was tried under Article 301 made him a target for murder.
Before the assassination of Hrant Dink, Prime Minister Erdogan had
suggested a collaborative effort with the CHP but was rebuffed by CHP
leader Deniz Baykal.
Currently, magazines "Nokta" and "Tempo", newspapers "Birgün", "Agos"
and "Gündem", and publishers Doz and Sorun are on trial over news and
articles they have published.
Ahmet Sik, a journalist for "Nokta" magazine, which has closed down,
and security expert Lale Sariibrahimoglu are both on trial over an
interview article entitled "Military must stay away from domestic
security" which was published on 8 February 2007. They will appear
before a Penal Court in Bakirköy, Istanbul, on 24 October.
In the case against "Tempo", after Ibrahim Güclü, speaker for the
Diyarbakir Kürd-Der Association, gave an interview to "Tempo"
journalist Enis Mazhar Tayman. Güclü, Tayman and, initially, the
editor concerned, Neval Barlas, were charged with "degrading
Turkishness and the republic" and "inciting the public to disobey
laws". Proceedings against Barlas have now been dismissed as the
author of the interview is clear. The court case will continue on 16
October.
In another case, Eren Keskin, a lawyer and the former Istanbul branch
president of the Human Rights Association (IHD), is still on trial
over an article entitled "Special forces at work", which commented on
the Hrant Dink murder. His case continues on 27 September.
Meanwhile, writer and director Umur Hozatli is on trial under article
301 over two articles published in the "Gündem" newspaper, entitled
"Irritating devotion" and "A good father has started working". His
trial continues on 19 September.
On 16 May, the court considered five charges against Hozatli, former
"Gündem" editor-in-chief Irfan Ucar and writer Sinan Kara. A
statement from the newspaper's owner, Hasan Bayar, who is living
abroad, is still to be procured.
In yet another case, Ali Riza Vural, an editor with Doz Publishers,
is being tried for the publication of Iraqi Kurdish leader Mesut
Barzani's two-volume book, "Barzani and the Kurdish National Freedom
Movement". He is charged with "insulting and ridiculing the
republic". His case continues on 18 July, at a Penal Court in
Beyoglu, Istanbul.
The case against Hrant Dink's son Arat Dink, the managing editor and
licence holder of "Agos" newspaper, Serkis Seropyan continues on 18
July at a Penal Court in Sisli, Istanbul. They are charged with
"degrading Turkishness". The case is based on the republished
interview by Reuters news agency with Hrant Dink, in which he stated
that he believed an Armenian genocide happened.
In another case, Osman Tiftikci, author of the book, "The evolution
of the army from Ottoman times to today", and Sýrrý Öztürk, of Sorun
Publishers, are on trial for "degrading the army". Because Tiftikci
lives abroad, a writ of summons has been issued. The case continues
on 4 July.
http://www.ifex.org/es/content/view/full/84457/