ARTICLE 19 condemns banning of politcal party

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – On 16 January 1998, ARTICLE 19 unequivocally condemned the banning by Turkey’s constitutional court of the Welfare Party and the prohibition of its leaders from political activity. Said Essoulami, head of ARTICLE 19’s Middle East programme, responded to this action by commenting that “today, four million Turkish citizens have been disenfranchised. Experience […]

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – On 16 January 1998, ARTICLE 19 unequivocally condemned
the banning by Turkey’s constitutional court of the Welfare Party and the
prohibition of its leaders from political activity.

Said Essoulami, head of ARTICLE 19’s Middle East programme, responded to
this action by commenting that “today, four million Turkish citizens have
been disenfranchised. Experience in other countries shows that such action
can only aggravate political instability, and exacerbates the potential for
violence.” He added that “the true test of a democracy is its ability to
tolerate a wide range of peaceful political and religious viewpoints. The
Turkish government has yet again failed its people in this.”

By committing this act of censorship, the Turkish government has seriously
violated its commitments as a signatory to the European Convention on Human
Rights (ECHR), a document which provides for freedom of thought, conscience
and religion; of expression; and of assembly and association.

Recommended Action

His Excellency Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz

Basbakanlik

06573 Ankara, Turkey

Fax: +90 312 417 0476 or +90 312 230 8896

Mrs Ismail Cem

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Disisleri Bakanligi

06100 Ankara, Turkey

Fax: +90 312 419 1547
Mr Murat Baseskioglu

Minister of the Interior

Icisleri Bakanligi

06644 Ankara, Turkey

Fax: +90 312 418 1066 / 418 1795 / 417 2390
Mr Oltan Sungurlu

Minister of Justice

Adalet Bakanligi

06659 Ankara, Turkey

Fax: +90 312 417 3954 / 418 5667
Mr Hikmet Sami Turk

State Minister with responsibility for Human Rights

Office of the Prime Minister

Basbakanlik

06573 Ankara, Turkey

Fax: +90 312 417 0476
President of Parliamentary Human Rights Commission:

Mr Demir Berberoglu

Insan Haklari Inceleme Komisyonu Baskani

TBMM, Ankara, Turkey

Fax: +90 312 420 5394