(WiPC/IFEX) – Writer and publisher Melih Pekdemir is to appear before the Supreme Court in Istanbul to appeal a three year and nine-month sentence for his book on Kurdish issues. International PEN considers the sentence to be a violation of Pekdemir’s right to freedom of expression and is calling for the charges to be dropped. […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – Writer and publisher Melih Pekdemir is to appear before the Supreme Court in Istanbul to appeal a three year and nine-month sentence for his book on Kurdish issues. International PEN considers the sentence to be a violation of Pekdemir’s right to freedom of expression and is calling for the charges to be dropped.
Pekdemir is accused under the Anti-Terror Law for his book “Öcalan Devlet mi?” (“Is the State a Revenger?”), for commenting on the government policy on the Kurdish community and criticising human rights abuses against Kurds. On 13 September 2001, he was found guilty at his first trial and sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. He appealed and remains free pending the appeal.
Pekdemir is also facing charges for the book “Fethullahin Coplari” (“Fetullah’s Truncheons”), a critique of Muslim fundamentalism by Zübeyir Kindira that Pekdemir edited for the Su Yayinlari publishing house. Moreover, he has recently found himself under further threat following an attempted break-in at his home linked to his publishing house’s publication of “Yeni Basayalar için Ülkücülük” (“The Idealism of Fascism for Beginners”). This book by R. Bayraktar, published in August 2001, criticises the Turkish fascist movement using satire and cartoons and is aimed at teenagers. Details about the publishers were published on the fascist website www.otuken.net. When Pekdemir complained to the police, he was informed that as the site is based in the United States, it is outside Turkish control. Pekdemir has since had to move his offices to a secret address. Pekdemir was previously imprisoned for his political activism from 1980 to 1989 for his membership in Revolutionary Way (Devrimici Sol). He took up writing and established his publishing house after his release.
International PEN is deeply concerned that Pekdemir has been sentenced to a long prison term solely for his writings. The organisation hopes that the Appeal Court will similarly conclude that to convict him as charged would be in breach of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Turkey is a signatory, and order his acquittal.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– expressing concern over the large number of trials against writers and journalists in violation of their rights to freedom of expression, making particular reference to Pekdemir’s trial
– calling for an end to the prosecution of writers and publishers whose only acts have been to produce writings that 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: +90 312 417 395
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
