A trial against Turkish writer and vice secretary-general of the Human Rights Association of Turkey Erol Anar began on 22 August 1996. Anar, author of “Insan Haklar Tarihi” (“The History of Human Rights”), is charged with “separatist propaganda” under Article 8 of the Anti-Terror Law for a four-page chapter in the book entitled “Kurt Sorunu” […]
A trial against Turkish writer and vice secretary-general of the
Human Rights Association of Turkey Erol Anar began on 22 August 1996. Anar, author of “Insan Haklar Tarihi” (“The History of Human Rights”), is charged with “separatist propaganda” under Article 8 of the Anti-Terror Law for a four-page chapter in the book entitled “Kurt Sorunu” (“The Kurdish Question”) which discusses state relation with Turkey’s Kurds in both the Ottoman and Republican periods. The book’s publisher faces similar charges under Article 8 of the Press Law.
Background Information
Article 8 of the 1991 Anti-Terror Law has frequently been used to punish peaceful expression, especially concerning the ethnic
Kurdish population and the conflict in southeastern Turkey
between government security forces and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
In late 1995, an amendment to Article 8 permitted the release from prison of an estimated one hundred persons jailed for peaceful dissent; however, many are still being tried and punished under the amended Article 8 and under other laws that stifle peaceful expression (see IFEX alerts).
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
indicating that Erol Anar’s writings about Turkey’s Kurdish
minority fall clearly within the right to peaceful
self-expression, as guaranteed under Article 10 of the European
Human Rights Convention, to which Turkey is a signatory
calling for the repeal of laws such as Article 8 of the
Anti-Terror law that punish peaceful free expression and limit
debate in Turkey
Appeals To
His Excellency Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan
Basbakanlik
06573 Ankara, Turkey
Fax: +90 312 417 0476 or +90 312 230 8896
Minister of the Interior
Icisleri Bakanligi
06644 Ankara, Turkey
Fax: +90 312 418 1066 or +90 312 418 1795
Minister of Justice
Adalet Bakanligi
06659 Ankara, Turkey
Fax: +90 312 417 3954
your diplomatic representative in Turkey
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
