Skip to content
  • Common Currency
  • Campaigns
    • PENWrites
    • Writers at Risk
    • Writers in Residence
    • Free speech in the UK
  • News
  • Events
  • Translation
    • PEN Translates
    • PEN Transmissions
    • International Translation Day
    • The World Bookshelf
      • Books
      • Authors
      • Translators
    • PEN Presents
      • Issues
      • Books
      • Apply to PEN Presents
  • Prizes
    • PEN Pinter Prize
    • PEN Ackerley Prize
    • PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize
  • Donate
  • Join
Home > Campaigns > Asiye Guzel

Asiye Guzel

Asiye Guzel, a former editor of a socialist Turkish newspaper, was arrested in February 1997, accused of involvement in an “illegal” organisation. She spent five years in untried detention until her release in June 2002 pending the final decision of the Supreme Court on her case. In October 2002 she was sentenced in absentia to a 12 and a half year prison term on the basis of a trial that fell short of international standards of fairness.

Asiye is currently living in Sweden, where she has been granted asylum. With dispensations, and allowing for time already served, she faces a further three and a half years in jail if she returns to Turkey. She may never be able to return to her homeland or see her parents and husband again.








Richard McKane and Asiye Guzel

 

Richard McKane (translator) and Asiye Guzel


While in custody she committed evidence of rape and torture to paper, and the resulting diaries were smuggled out and made into a book –  published, extraordinarily, while she was still in prison in Turkey.  Asiye’s Story has been translated into English by Richard McKane, Deputy Chair of English PEN’s Writers in Prison Committee.

In November 2003 Asiye visited London to attend the launch of the English translation of her book.








Shirvan Nuray, Lucy Popescu and Asiye Guzel

Asiye Guzel with friend Shirvan Nuray and Lucy Popescu (WiPC Programme Director)


 Julia Stonor, member of English PEN’s Writers in Prison Committee, kindly hosted a supper for Asiye and her friend Shirvan Nuray.







cecilie, shirvan, richard, asiye, julia

 

Cecilie Torjussen (WiPC assistant), Shirvan Nuray, Richard McKane (translator), Asiye Guzel and Julia Stonor (WiPC member)

               

Originally posted with the url: www.englishpen.org/writersinprison/writersinexile/asiyeguzel/

Join our mailing list

Sign up to receive the latest English PEN news and events.

SIGN UP
  • About
  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Partners
  • Outreach
  • Jobs
  • Contact us

With thanks to our Core Funders

©1921 - 2023

English PEN is a company limited by guarantee number 5747142 (England & Wales) and a registered charity, number 1125610.

We use cookies to help us improve your experience on our website. By closing this notification or interacting with the website you agree to our use of cookies. ACCEPT Find out more
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT