(WiPC/IFEX) – Yilmaz Odabasi and Ismail Besikci are among those released in recent amnesty; however, a new case is pressed against the writer Nadire Mater and her publishers. On 2 September 1999, President Suleyman Demirel signed a new law approved earlier by the Turkish Parliament ordering the release and/or pardon of dozens of journalists and […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – Yilmaz Odabasi and Ismail Besikci are among those released in
recent amnesty; however, a new case is pressed against the writer Nadire
Mater and her publishers.
On 2 September 1999, President Suleyman Demirel signed a new law approved
earlier by the Turkish Parliament ordering the release and/or pardon of
dozens of journalists and writers. As a result of this law, Yilmaz Odabasi
was released on 8 September and Ismail Besikci was released on 15 September.
They are both freed conditionally; should they “re-offend” within the next
three years they will be sent back to jail to serve the remainder of their
respective terms.
Meanwhile, PEN is increasingly becoming concerned that Nadire Mater may be
facing imprisonment. Mater is the author of “Mehmed’s Book: Soldiers Who
have Fought in the Southeast Speak Out”, a book which brings together a
series of interviews with forty-two retired Turkish soldiers who fought in
Turkey’s mainly Kurdish southeast region where a state of emergency is in
place. The book was published in April by Metis Publishers in Istanbul. It
quickly went into four editions and won high praise both within Turkey and
abroad. In June it was banned by the Turkish government, at which time
International PEN sent a letter of protest.
She is now accused of “insulting the army” under Article 159 of the Penal
Code and if convicted faces up to six years in jail. Muge Sokman’s partner, Semih Sokman will be present in the court alongside Mater.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
and her publishers
legislation under which such charges can be levied against writers who have
done nothing other than express their views and/or that of their
interviewees in their books
Appeals To
His Excellency Suleyman Demirel
Office of the President
Cumhurbaskanligi
06100 Ankara, Turkey
Fax: +90 312 468 5026
E-mail: cankaya@tccb.gov.tr
Please send copies and messages of support to:
Muge Gursoy Sokmem
Metis Publishers
Ipek Sokak 9
80060 Beyoglu
Istanbul, Turkey
Fax: +90 212 245 4519
E-mail: metis@turk.net
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
