Articles by IPS Communication Foundation – Bianet
Historian takes Article 301 to ECHR to protest threat to academic research
(BIANET/IFEX) – Taner Akcam, a professor of history at Minnesota University, in the United States, who had been investigated for his claims of an Armenian genocide, has decided to take Article 301, which has put around 100 academics, journalists and writers on trial, to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to protest against the […]
Various journalists, writers and publishers charged under article 301 over various publications
(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 […]
Journalist to be tried for “degrading state”
(BIANET/IFEX) – A case in the district town of Gerger, in the province of Adiyaman, southeast of Turkey, illustrates how the Turkish government has been indecisive and contradictory in dealing with freedom of expression. Public Prosecutor Sadullah Ovacikli dismissed a case against journalist Haci Bogatekin, who wrote an article about a flea epidemic, in which […]
Sociologist, magazine owner and editor face possible imprisonment over article; writer escapes charge despite army’s complaint
(BIANET/IFEX) – Sociologist Ismail Besikci, known in Turkey for his enduring academic interest in the Kurds and for facing both an end to his academic career and imprisonment over his books, is on trial under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code. Besikci had written an article entitled “We did not talk, we had it […]
ECHR condemns three rulings against journalists, accepts a fourth
(BIANET/IFEX) – On 14 June 2007, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decreed that freedom of expression was not curtailed in the case of Hünkar Demirel, the manager of the weekly newspaper “Yedinci Gündem”, who appealed to the ECHR after he was convicted of “aiding and abetting a terrorist organisation by spreading propaganda”. Demirel […]
In various legal actions against “Agos” newspaper staff, some acquitted, others still facing charges
(BIANET/IFEX) – Charges against the late editor-in-chief of “Agos” newspaper, Hrant Dink, of “degrading Turkishness” and “attempting to influence the judiciary” were dropped after he was murdered on 19 January 2007. However, on 14 June, prosecutor Mücahit Ercan demanded that Serkis Seropyan, the owner of “Agos”, and the managing editor Arat Dink (Dink’s son) be […]
Journalists, publisher charged under Article 301 for “degrading” army, police in articles; president of foundation acquitted
(BIANET/IFEX) – The trial of journalist and editor Umur Hozatli, who is in court for two articles written in the leftist, pro-Kurdish “Ülkede Özgür Gündem” newspaper, continued on 16 May 2007. Hozatli, former editor-in-chief Irfan Uçar and journalist Sinan Kara are being prosecuted in five cases, all under the controversial Article 301. Awaiting questioning of […]
Journalist and security expert charged for “denigrating armed forces” in article
(BIANET/IFEX) – The weekly magazine “Nokta” was forced to close in April 2007. It now faces a court case under Article 301 for an interview with security expert Lale Sariibrahimoglu and a follow-up article, both of which criticised the involvement of the army in domestic affairs. Ahmet Sik, the reporter who conducted the interview, and […]