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Previous Action Alerts 05/04/06
May 04, 2006
SYRIA: Journalilst ‘Ali al-’Abdullah detained incommunicado; fears for safety
TURKEY: Trials Against Writers, Journalists, and Publishers Continue under Article 301
Story Continued...
SYRIA
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Full Story from International PEN:
RAPID ACTION NETWORK
3 May 2006
RAN 16/06
SYRIA: Journalist ‘Ali al-’Abdullah detained incommunicado; fears for safety.
The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of journalist ‘Ali al-’Abdullah, who was arrested on 23 March 2006 for his peaceful opposition activities. He remains held
incommuncado at an unknown location, and there are fears that he is at grave risk of ill-treatment in detention.
According to PEN’s information, journalist ‘Ali al-’Abdullah was arrested with his son Muhammad ‘Ali al-’Abdullah following their participation in a peaceful demonstration outside the Supreme State Security Court (SSSC) on 22 March 2006. Another of ‘Ali al-’Abdullah’s sons, Omar, has been detained
since 18 March 2006 for his involvement in a pro-democracy youth movement.
Their arrests appear to be part of a renewed crackdown on government opponents in recent months, where scores have been arrested for their peaceful opposition activities. Those arrested include writer Muhammad Ghanem, who was arrested on 31 March and held incommunicado until his release without charge on 14 April 2006.
‘Ali al-’Abdullah was previously arrested in May 2005 and detained for over five months for his opposition activities.
Please send appeals:
- expressing serious concern about the detention of journalist ‘Ali al-’Abdullah and his sons, who appear to be held solely for their peaceful opposition activities;
- expressing grave concerns at reports that they are at risk of ill-treatment in detention, and seeking urgent assurances of their well-being;
- reminding the Syrian authorities of their obligations under Article 38 of the Syrian Constitution to guarantee freedom of expression, and and calling for the immediate and unconditional release of ‘Ali
al-’Abdullah and his sons if held in violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Syria is a signatory.
APPEALS TO:
His Excellency President Bashar al-Assad
President of the Republic
Presidential Palace
Abu Rummaneh, Al-Rashid Street
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: + 963 11 332 3410
His Excellency General Ghazi Kan’an
Minister of Interior, Ministry of Interior
Merjeh Circle
Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: + 963 11 222 3428
Email: admin@civilaffair-moi.gov.sy
Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Syria in your country if possible.
TURKEY
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Full Story From International PEN:
RAPID ACTION NETWORK
3 May 2006
RAN 17/06
Turkey: Trials Against Writers, Journalists and Publishers Continue under Article 301
Today, 3 May 2006, is World Press Freedom Day, yet in Turkey trials continue against writers, journalists and publishers who have been charged with “denigration of Turkishness” under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal
Code. International PEN is calling for an end to all trials against writers for the peaceful expression of their views, and for the repeal of Article 301 that is in direct contravention of international standards that
guarantee the right to freedom of expression.
On 1 May, Hrant Dink, editor of an Armenian language newspaper Agos who was found guilty of insulting Turkishness and given a six-month suspended prison term in October 2005, had his appeal against his conviction overturned. Dink had been accused for an article in his newspaper on the relations between Armenians and Turks which included a phrase that the court said suggested that Turkish blood was “dirty”. Dink has repeatedly stated that his article had been misconstrued and that his aim is to improve relations between Armenians and Turks. Dink launched an appeal against his sentence and in February, the Chief Prosecutor told the Appeals Court that the phrase under scrutiny could not be considered insulting. In
light of this, the Court’s decision to uphold the case is particularly surprising.
Ten days earlier,on 20 April, another of a series of trial hearings took place against publisher Ragip Zarakolu. He is accused under Article 301 for publishing two books. The first, George Jerjian’s The Truth Will Set us Free /Turkish-Armenian Re-Conciliation refers to the mass deportations of Armenians in 1915. If convicted, Zarakolu faces up to 7 ½ years in prison. For the second book, Dora Sakayan’s An Armenian Doctor in Turkey: Garabed Hatcherian’s Izmir Journal, Zarakolu could receive a six year sentence. Although the trials have already dragged on for over a year, the hearings were adjourned further to 21 June 2006.
There was disappointment for Murat Belge, a columnist for Radikal who was among five mainstream journalists who went on trial in February 2006 for “attempting to influence the outcome of a trial” in articles that criticised a court’s decision to ban an academic conference on Armenia in November 2005. The conference was eventually able to take place. Belge’s colleagues had the charges against them dropped on 11 April 2006 when it was deemed that the trial was subject to a statute of limitation due to the length of time between the alleged offence and the charges. However, in Belge’s case it was deemed that the statue of limitation did not apply and his case will continue on 8 June. Nevertheless, on 28 April the Bagiclar prosecutor’s office issued an appeal against the decision to discontinue the trial against Belge’s four co-defendants, and there is a possibility that the proceedings against them may restart.
These are just some of the more well known of the writers, journalists and publishers who are on trial in Turkey today for their writings.
International PEN has long campaigned - and will continue to campaign - against the use of the courts to stifle freedom of expression in Turkey. It calls on the Turkish government to once again review its legislation with the aim of removing all remaining laws that allow for the prosecution of those who practice their right to write and publish freely. By so doing, the Turkish government can stand by its commitment to the right to freedom of expression as guaranteed under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Please send appeals:
- Protesting the upholding of the sentence against Hrant Dink, and the lengthy and convoluted trials against Ragip Zarakolu and Murat Belge;
- Expressing dismay that writers, journalists and publishers continue to be brought before the courts in violation of their right to freedom of expression;
- Urging that there be an end to these trials and that there be a review its legislation with the aim of removing all remaining laws that allow for the prosecution of those who practice their right to write and
publish freely;
- Calling on the Turkish government to do all that it can to abide by its commitments to the protection and promotion of freedom of expression.
Appeals to:
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Office of the Prime Minister
Basbakanlik
06573 Ankara
Turkey
Fax: +90 312 417 0476
Foreign Minister and State Minister for Human Rights
Mr Abdullah Gül
Office of the Prime Minister
Basbakanlik
06573 Ankara
Turkey
Fax: +90 312 287 8811