(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has called on the Turkish armed forces to show more respect for press freedom after 312 generals filed suit against the Islamist daily “Vakit” and one of its columnists, Asim Yenihaber, on 31 October 2003. The plaintiffs are demanding approximately 367,000 euros (approx. US$422,000) in damages for an article entitled, “The country […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has called on the Turkish armed forces to show more respect for press freedom after 312 generals filed suit against the Islamist daily “Vakit” and one of its columnists, Asim Yenihaber, on 31 October 2003. The plaintiffs are demanding approximately 367,000 euros (approx. US$422,000) in damages for an article entitled, “The country where a soldier who should not be a sergeant becomes a general”.
In a letter to Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard described the sum sought in damages as “exorbitant” and “a death warrant for the newspaper.” If “Vakit” is forced to pay this amount, “the army would have achieved its goal of silencing all press criticism.”
“As Turkey is a candidate to join the European Union, we would have hoped the army would show more respect for press freedom, but once again we have proof that it is far from assimilating the basic principles of democracy,” Ménard added.
The plaintiffs include Army Commander Aytaç Yalman, Air Force Commander Ibrahim Firtina, Navy Commander Ozden Ornek and Gendarmerie Commander Sener Eruygur. In their libel suit, filed with the Ankara High Court, they said the article was likely to arouse “feelings of hatred and contempt towards officers with the rank of general and degrade the Turkish armed forces in the eyes of society.” Describing it as a reflection of Yenihaber’s “mental and psychological disturbance,” they added that “no one has the right to offend and humiliate generals.”
In his column, published on 25 August, Yenihaber wrote, “Nothing indicates that these are generals aside from the stars on their shoulders (. . .) There is no place for them either in the army or in the country.” “Vakit” has often lambasted the armed forces and the officer corps. The paper’s editors said its economic survival is directly threatened by the libel suit.
