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VARIOUS JOURNALISTS, WRITERS AND PUBLISHERS CHARGED UNDER ARTICLE 301 OVER VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS
Media For Freedom, Nepal
July 6 2007
(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 "Birgun", "Agos"
and "Gundem", 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 Bakirkoy, Istanbul, on 24 October.
In the case against "Tempo", after Ibrahim Guclu, speaker for
the Diyarbakir Kurd-Der Association, gave an interview to "Tempo"
journalist Enis Mazhar Tayman. Guclu, 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 "Gundem" 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
"Gundem" 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 Ozturk, 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.
--Boundary_(ID_JuU5OvYNk3IdwhccjbNPEg)--
Media For Freedom, Nepal
July 6 2007
(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 "Birgun", "Agos"
and "Gundem", 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 Bakirkoy, Istanbul, on 24 October.
In the case against "Tempo", after Ibrahim Guclu, speaker for
the Diyarbakir Kurd-Der Association, gave an interview to "Tempo"
journalist Enis Mazhar Tayman. Guclu, 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 "Gundem" 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
"Gundem" 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 Ozturk, 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.
--Boundary_(ID_JuU5OvYNk3IdwhccjbNPEg)--