(WiPC/IFEX) – The trials against writer Selma Koçiva and her publisher Muammer Akyüz, and publisher Abdullah Keskin, whose first hearings were held on 3 April 2002, were postponed to second hearings in June. International PEN considers these trials to be in direct breach of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which specifically […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – The trials against writer Selma Koçiva and her publisher Muammer Akyüz, and
publisher Abdullah Keskin, whose first hearings were held on 3 April 2002, were postponed to second hearings in June. International PEN considers these trials to be in direct breach of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which specifically protects the right to freedom of expression.
The first trial hearing against Koçiva, author of “Lazona, the Reality of the Laz People” and the book’s publisher, Akyüz of the Tum Zamanlar Publishing House, was held on 3 April. Koçiva’s book was confiscated at the end of January and charges were laid against her and Akyüz under Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code (incitement to hatred and enmity). Article 312 is often used to penalise those who write on minority issues. Their trial will resume on 26 June.
The trial against Keskin also opened on 3 April under Article 8 of the Anti-Terror Law. He is accused in connection with the Turkish publication of a book by American author and former “Washington Post” correspondent Jonathan Randal entitled, “After Such Knowledge, What Forgiveness? My Encounters in Kurdistan”. The book was originally published in English in 1997 and subsequently translated into Farsi, Italian and Arabic. Charges appear to relate to the author’s references to “Kurdistan” in a number of passages. If convicted, Keskin could serve up to three years in prison. Randal was present at the first hearing but was not granted permission to testify in support of Keskin. This trial will resume on 7 June.
International PEN is alarmed by the high numbers of writers on minority issues who are on trial in Turkey at present. Koçiva, Akyüz and Keskin are among at least fifteen other writers who face fines and even imprisonment under the same legislation. The organisation is calling for the dropping of the charges against the three defendants and the discontinuance of the trials against other similarly accused writers.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– expressing concern at the large number of trials against writers and journalists in violation of their rights to freedom of expression
– referring particularly to the trials taking place against Koçiva, Akyüz and Keskin
– calling for an end to prosecutions of writers whose only acts have been to criticise the authorities or to comment on the issues of minority rights and self-determination
Appeals To
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit
Basbakanlik
Cankaya
Ankara, Turkey
Fax: +90 312 417 0476
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.
