Turkey: Publisher Ragip Zarakolu back on trial again, alongside Mehmet Guler
Published: July 23, 2010
Ragip Zarakolu, publisher and free expression activist, is on trial again for publishing another book by author Mehmet Güler. Both Zarakolu and Güiler are accused under the Anti Terror Law for Güler's The KCK File/The Global State and Kurds Without a State. Zarakolu was acquitted last month for publishing another book by Güler, More Difficult Decisions Than Death, for which the author received a 15 months sentence. Once again the two men are charged with publishing statements seen to support the banned Kurdish Worker's Party (PKK). English PEN is extremely disappointed to learn that our Honorary Member Ragip Zarakolu is once again being tried in contravention of international standards safeguarding the right to freedom of expression, and that Mehmet Güler faces further charges.
On 20 July 2010, the Istanbul Public Prosecutor opened the trial against Zarakolu and Güler under Article 7 of the Anti Terror law for the book The KCK file/The Global State and Kurds Without a State. The first hearing is due on 30 September. The book was presented at the Diyarbakir Book Fair, South Eastern Turkey, in May 2010, where it was seized by police, and subsequently banned. Zaraklolu and Güler deny the accusation that the book promotes violence and state that they are both committed to greater understanding about and a peaceful resolution to Kurdish issues. Zarakolu describes the book as a work of research of some 250 pages, of which 1000 had been printed, and denied that it can be construed as propaganda. Güler commented that his book studies issues such as the closure of Kurdish political parties and the arrests of activists and members of city councils in the past year, adding that he "tried to give a short history of the Kurdish question, without being a supporter or an opponent for any side… All citizens have a right to information about what is happening and I tried to be objective".
On 10 June 2010, Zarakolu was acquitted for having published Guler's novel More Difficult Decisions than Death on charges under article 7/2 of the Anti Terror Law for "spreading propaganda" for the banned Kurdish Workers Party (PKK). Three fictional characters, "Siti", "Sabri" and "Siyar" are engaged with PKK activities. In one part of the book a PKK member on trial says "This court has no right to judge me. I fight for freedom. I do not recognise this court". The fictional judge's response and following passages form part of the indictment. The prosecutor stated that some parts of the novel evoke sympathy for the PKK in its readers. Güler responded that he believes that one way to tackle problems in Turkey is through literature, saying it is "the best way to deal with social trauma". The trial opened in May 2009 and just over a year later it concluded with Zarakolu's acquittal and a 15 month sentence for Güler who is free pending appeal - the date of which has yet to be set.
Zarakolu, aged 62, has been fighting for freedom of expression in Turkey for over 30 years, publishing books on issues including minority and human rights. Zarakolu's case is emblematic of the ongoing struggles many writers, publishers and freedom of expression and human rights activists in Turkey continue to face.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Please send appeals to the Turkish authorities
- Expressing concern that another trial has been opened against Ragip Zarakolu and Mehmet Güler that, if they are convicted, would be in breach of Turkey's commitments under both Article 19 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights;
- Urging that the Turkish government to review all relevant laws with a view to bringing them into accord with international human rights standards, in particular the ICCPR and European Convention on Human Rights, to which Turkey is a signatory
Appeals to:
Mr Sadullah Ergin
Minister of Justice
06669 Kizilay
Ankara
Turkey
Fax: 00 90 312 419 3370
Please also send copies of your appeal letter to the Turkish Ambassador in the UK:
His Excellency Mehmet Yiğit Alpogan
43 Belgrave Square
London
SW1X 8PA
Fax: 020 7393 0066
For further details please contact Sara Whyat at International PEN - wipc@internationalpen.org.uk
On 20 July 2010, the Istanbul Public Prosecutor opened the trial against Zarakolu and Güler under Article 7 of the Anti Terror law for the book The KCK file/The Global State and Kurds Without a State. The first hearing is due on 30 September. The book was presented at the Diyarbakir Book Fair, South Eastern Turkey, in May 2010, where it was seized by police, and subsequently banned. Zaraklolu and Güler deny the accusation that the book promotes violence and state that they are both committed to greater understanding about and a peaceful resolution to Kurdish issues. Zarakolu describes the book as a work of research of some 250 pages, of which 1000 had been printed, and denied that it can be construed as propaganda. Güler commented that his book studies issues such as the closure of Kurdish political parties and the arrests of activists and members of city councils in the past year, adding that he "tried to give a short history of the Kurdish question, without being a supporter or an opponent for any side… All citizens have a right to information about what is happening and I tried to be objective".
On 10 June 2010, Zarakolu was acquitted for having published Guler's novel More Difficult Decisions than Death on charges under article 7/2 of the Anti Terror Law for "spreading propaganda" for the banned Kurdish Workers Party (PKK). Three fictional characters, "Siti", "Sabri" and "Siyar" are engaged with PKK activities. In one part of the book a PKK member on trial says "This court has no right to judge me. I fight for freedom. I do not recognise this court". The fictional judge's response and following passages form part of the indictment. The prosecutor stated that some parts of the novel evoke sympathy for the PKK in its readers. Güler responded that he believes that one way to tackle problems in Turkey is through literature, saying it is "the best way to deal with social trauma". The trial opened in May 2009 and just over a year later it concluded with Zarakolu's acquittal and a 15 month sentence for Güler who is free pending appeal - the date of which has yet to be set.
Zarakolu, aged 62, has been fighting for freedom of expression in Turkey for over 30 years, publishing books on issues including minority and human rights. Zarakolu's case is emblematic of the ongoing struggles many writers, publishers and freedom of expression and human rights activists in Turkey continue to face.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Please send appeals to the Turkish authorities
- Expressing concern that another trial has been opened against Ragip Zarakolu and Mehmet Güler that, if they are convicted, would be in breach of Turkey's commitments under both Article 19 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights;
- Urging that the Turkish government to review all relevant laws with a view to bringing them into accord with international human rights standards, in particular the ICCPR and European Convention on Human Rights, to which Turkey is a signatory
Appeals to:
Mr Sadullah Ergin
Minister of Justice
06669 Kizilay
Ankara
Turkey
Fax: 00 90 312 419 3370
Please also send copies of your appeal letter to the Turkish Ambassador in the UK:
His Excellency Mehmet Yiğit Alpogan
43 Belgrave Square
London
SW1X 8PA
Fax: 020 7393 0066
For further details please contact Sara Whyat at International PEN - wipc@internationalpen.org.uk