(WiPC/IFEX) – Asiye Güzel Zeybek, a journalist for two radical newspapers (now defunct) has been detained for over four and a half years. Her trial started in February 2001, four years after her arrest. This is in direct contravention of international standards that require states to bring prisoners to court within a “reasonable” amount of […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – Asiye Güzel Zeybek, a journalist for two radical newspapers (now defunct) has been detained for over four and a half years. Her trial started in February 2001, four years after her arrest. This is in direct contravention of international standards that require states to bring prisoners to court within a “reasonable” amount of time. The next trial hearing will take place on 21 September. Moreover, Zeybek claims to have been raped by police in the early days of her imprisonment, and believes that her abusers have not been brought to justice. International PEN has concerns over the fairness of Zeybek’s trial, and has been calling for her release pending the court decision. The organisation also calls for a full and proper re-investigation into her allegations of rape.
Zeybek, now aged 31, was arrested in February 1997 with ten others, many of whom are now free. All were accused of being involved in the “Marxist-Leninist Communist Party” (MLCP), which the authorities consider to be supporting armed organisations working for Kurdish independence. At the time, Zeybek was working for the MLCP’s newspaper “Atilim” and had previously worked for the radical “Isçinin Yolu”. An article published in “Isçinin Yolu” led to her imprisonment for a short term in 1994. Eventually Zeybek was charged under Article 168 of the Turkish Penal Code for membership in an “illegal organisation,” the MLCP.
Shortly after her arrest in February 2000, Zeybek filed a complaint against eight police officers, claiming that while under interrogation for thirteen days at the Istanbul Security Headquarters, she had been subjected to severe torture, including multiple rape. A first hearing of her complaint against the eight police officers was held in November 1998, but in October 1999 the charges were overturned. The court cited “no proof of guilt” against the policemen, despite evidence presented by the Istanbul University Medical Faculty that Zeybek had been raped. Zeybek reported that she had been numbed by the experience, and has since written a book on her ordeal.
In December 2000, Zeybek was among hundreds of inmates protesting against the transfer from her prison in Gebze to new style detention centres, where there are concerns that prisoners are more likely to be abused. She reportedly suffered severe injuries as a result of police action, leading to temporary paralysis. Her health is said to be fragile.
In the past year, PEN members worldwide have stepped up their campaign for justice for Zeybek. Appeals have been sent to the Turkish authorities calling for her immediate release pending trial and a re-opening of the investigation into the allegations of rape. The appeals have also asked the court to adhere to international standards of fairness. The chair of International PEN’s WiPC will be joined by PEN members from Sweden and the United Kingdom to observe the next trial hearing to be held in Istanbul on Friday 21 September.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– protesting Zeybek’s prolonged trial
– urging them to free Zeybek pending the trial’s outcome
– expressing deep concern over the viability of the charges against her and the fairness of the trial
– asking them to reopen the investigation into allegations that Zeybek was raped while in police custody
Appeals To
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer
President of the Turkish Republic
Cumhur Baskanligi
06 100 Ankara, Turkey
Fax: +90 312 427 1330
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit
Basbakanlik
Cankaya
Ankara, Turkey
Fax: +90 312 417 0476
E-mail: ddlbsl@tccb.gov.tr
His Excellency Hikmet Sami Turk
Minister of Justice
Adalet Bakaligi
06440 Bakaniklar
Ankara Turkey
Fax: +90 312 417 3954
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
